A functional channel is necessary for growth suppression by Cx37

A novel cancer-associated fibroblast signature for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma via integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), integral components of the tumor microenvironment, play a pivotal role in tumor proliferation, metastasis, and clinical outcomes. However, its specific roles in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) remain poorly understood. Employing the established Seurat single-cell analysis pipeline, we identified 21 CAFs marker genes. Subsequently, a prognostic signature consisting of 6 CAFs marker genes (RGS5, PGF, TPM2, GJA4, SEPT4, and PLXDC1) was developed in a cohort through univariate and LASSO Cox regression analyses. The model's efficacy was then validated in an external cohort, with a remarkable predictive performance in 1-, 3-, and 5-year. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited significantly inferior survival outcomes (p < 0.001), and the risk score was an independent prognostic factor (p < 0.05). Distinct differences in immune cell profiles and drug susceptibility were observed between the two risk groups. In KIRC, the PGF-VEGFR1 signaling pathway displayed a notable increase. PGF expression was significantly elevated in tumor tissues, as demonstrated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In vitro, transwell assays and CCK8 revealed that recombinant-PGF could enhance the capability of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in 769P and 786-O cells. This study firstly developed a novel predictive model based on 6 CAFs genes for KIRC. Additionally, PGF may present a potential therapeutic target to enhance KIRC treatment.

Connexin 37 sequestering of activated-ERK in the cytoplasm promotes p27-mediated endothelial cell cycle arrest

Connexin37-mediated regulation of cell cycle modulators and, consequently, growth arrest lack mechanistic understanding. We previously showed that arterial shear stress up-regulates Cx37 in endothelial cells and activates a Notch/Cx37/p27 signaling axis to promote G1 cell cycle arrest, and this is required to enable arterial gene expression. However, how induced expression of a gap junction protein, Cx37, up-regulates cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 to enable endothelial growth suppression and arterial specification is unclear. Herein, we fill this knowledge gap by expressing wild-type and regulatory domain mutants of Cx37 in cultured endothelial cells expressing the Fucci cell cycle reporter. We determined that both the channel-forming and cytoplasmic tail domains of Cx37 are required for p27 up-regulation and late G1 arrest. Mechanistically, the cytoplasmic tail domain of Cx37 interacts with, and sequesters, activated ERK in the cytoplasm. This then stabilizes pERK nuclear target Foxo3a, which up-regulates p27 transcription. Consistent with previous studies, we found this Cx37/pERK/Foxo3a/p27 signaling axis functions downstream of arterial shear stress to promote endothelial late G1 state and enable up-regulation of arterial genes.

Connexin37 Regulates Cell Cycle in the Vasculature

Control of vascular cell growth responses is critical for development and maintenance of a healthy vasculature. Connexins - the proteins comprising gap junction channels - are key regulators of cell growth in diseases such as cancer, but their involvement in controlling cell growth in the vasculature is less well appreciated. Connexin37 (Cx37) is one of four connexin isotypes expressed in the vessel wall. Its primary role in blood vessels relies on its unique ability to transduce flow-sensitive signals into changes in cell cycle status of endothelial (and perhaps, mural) cells. Here, we review available evidence for Cx37's role in the regulation of vascular growth, vessel organization, and vascular tone in healthy and diseased vasculature. We propose a novel mechanism whereby Cx37 accomplishes this with a phosphorylation-dependent transition between closed (growth-suppressive) and multiple open (growth-permissive) channel conformations that result from interactions of the C-terminus with cell-cycle regulators to limit or support cell cycle progression. Lastly, we discuss Cx37 and its downstream signaling as a novel potential target in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, and we address outstanding research questions that still challenge the development of such therapies.

New Insights into Pulmonary Hypertension: A Role for Connexin-Mediated Signalling

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious clinical condition characterised by increased pulmonary arterial pressure. This can lead to right ventricular failure which can be fatal. Connexins are gap junction-forming membrane proteins which serve to exchange small molecules of less than 1 kD between cells. Connexins can also form hemi-channels connecting the intracellular and extracellular environments. Hemi-channels can mediate adenosine triphosphate release and are involved in autocrine and paracrine signalling. Recently, our group and others have identified evidence that connexin-mediated signalling may be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. In this review, we discuss the evidence that dysregulated connexin-mediated signalling is associated with pulmonary hypertension.

Cutaneous and hepatic vascular lesions due to a recurrent somatic GJA4 mutation reveal a pathway for vascular malformation

The term “cavernous hemangioma” has been used to describe vascular anomalies with histology featuring dilated vascular spaces, vessel walls consisting mainly of fibrous stromal bands lined by a layer of flattened endothelial cells, and an irregular outer rim of interrupted smooth muscle cells. Hepatic hemangiomas (HHs) and cutaneous venous malformations (VMs) share this histologic pattern, and we examined lesions in both tissues to identify genetic drivers. Paired whole-exome sequencing (WES) of lesional tissue and normal liver in HH subjects revealed a recurrent GJA4 c.121G>T (p.Gly41Cys) somatic mutation in four of five unrelated individuals, and targeted sequencing in paired tissue from 9 additional HH individuals identified the same mutation in 8. In cutaneous lesions, paired targeted sequencing in 5 VMs and normal epidermis found the same GJA4 c.121G>T (p.Gly41Cys) somatic mutation in three. GJA4 encodes gap junction protein alpha 4, also called connexin 37 (Cx37), and the p.Gly41Cys mutation falls within the first transmembrane domain at a residue highly conserved among vertebrates. We interrogated the impact of the Cx37 mutant via lentiviral transduction of primary human endothelial cells. We found that the mutant induced changes in cell morphology and activated serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), a serine/threonine kinase known to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis, via non-canonical activation. Treatment with spironolactone, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, suppressed mutant SGK1 activation and reversed changes in cell morphology. These findings identify a recurrent somatic GJA4 c.121G>T mutation as a driver of hepatic and cutaneous VMs, revealing a new pathway for vascular anomalies, with spironolactone a potential pathogenesis-based therapy.

Connexins in Cancer: Jekyll or Hyde?

The expression, localization, and function of connexins, the protein subunits that comprise gap junctions, are often altered in cancer. In addition to cell-cell coupling through gap junction channels, connexins also form hemichannels that allow communication between the cell and the extracellular space and perform non-junctional intracellular activities. Historically, connexins have been considered tumor suppressors; however, they can also serve tumor-promoting functions in some contexts. Here, we review the literature surrounding connexins in cancer cells in terms of specific connexin functions and propose that connexins function upstream of most, if not all, of the hallmarks of cancer. The development of advanced connexin targeting approaches remains an opportunity for the field to further interrogate the role of connexins in cancer phenotypes, particularly through the use of in vivo models. More specific modulators of connexin function will both help elucidate the functions of connexins in cancer and advance connexin-specific therapies in the clinic.

Connexins: Key Players in the Control of Vascular Plasticity and Function

Of the 21 members of the connexin family, 4 (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45) are expressed in the endothelium and/or smooth muscle of intact blood vessels to a variable and dynamically regulated degree. Full-length connexins oligomerize and form channel structures connecting the cytosol of adjacent cells (gap junctions) or the cytosol with the extracellular space (hemichannels). The different connexins vary mainly with regard to length and sequence of their cytosolic COOH-terminal tails. These COOH-terminal parts, which in the case of Cx43 are also translated as independent short isoforms, are involved in various cellular signaling cascades and regulate cell functions. This review focuses on channel-dependent and -independent effects of connexins in vascular cells. Channels play an essential role in coordinating and synchronizing endothelial and smooth muscle activity and in their interplay, in the control of vasomotor actions of blood vessels including endothelial cell reactivity to agonist stimulation, nitric oxide-dependent dilation, and endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor-type responses. Further channel-dependent and -independent roles of connexins in blood vessel function range from basic processes of vascular remodeling and angiogenesis to vascular permeability and interactions with leukocytes with the vessel wall. Together, these connexin functions constitute an often underestimated basis for the enormous plasticity of vascular morphology and function enabling the required dynamic adaptation of the vascular system to varying tissue demands.

Serine 319 phosphorylation is necessary and sufficient to induce a Cx37 conformation that leads to arrested cell cycling

Connexin 37 (Cx37; protein product of GJA4) expression profoundly suppresses proliferation of rat insulinoma (Rin) cells in a manner dependent on gap junction channel (GJCh) functionality and the presence and phosphorylation status of its C-terminus (CT). In Rin cells, growth is arrested upon induced Cx37 expression and serine 319 (S319) is frequently phosphorylated. Here, we show that preventing phosphorylation at this site (alanine substitution; S319A) relieved Cx37 of its growth-suppressive effect whereas mimicking phosphorylation at this site (aspartate substitution; S319D) enhanced the growth-suppressive properties of Cx37. Like wild-type Cx37 (Cx37-WT), Cx37-S319D GJChs and hemichannels (HChs) preferred the closed state, rarely opening fully, and gated slowly. In contrast, Cx37-S319A channels preferred open states, opened fully and gated rapidly. These data indicate that phosphorylation-dependent conformational differences in Cx37 protein and channel function underlie Cx37-induced growth arrest versus growth-permissive phenotypes. That the closed state of Cx37-WT and Cx37-S319D GJChs and HChs favors growth arrest suggests that rather than specific permeants mediating cell cycle arrest, the closed conformation instead supports interaction of Cx37 with growth regulatory proteins that result in growth arrest.

Prognostic value of the mRNA expression of gap junction α members in patients with gastric cancer

Gastric cancer remains one of the primary causes of cancer-associated death worldwide. The gap junction α (GJA) family has been demonstrated to be involved in the cellular proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer. However, the prognostic value of GJA in gastric cancer is yet to be elucidated. In the present study, the overall survival (OS) of patients with gastric cancer and the mRNA expression of GJA family members, including GJA1, GJA3, GJA4, GJA10 and GJA12, were analyzed using 593 patients with gastric cancer from the Kaplan-Meier plotter database. High GJA1 and GJA10 mRNA expression levels were associated with a poorer patient outcome (P=0.0066 and P=0.015, respectively), whereas high mRNA expression levels of GJA4 and GJA12 were associated with longer survival times (P=0.0056 and P=0.0054, respectively). Furthermore, the values of specific prognostic indicators of different subtypes of gastric cancer, including human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, Lauren differentiation and tumor stage, were also analyzed. The findings of the present study suggested a potential role for GJA family members in gastric cancer, which warrants further investigation.

Phosphorylation-Dependent Intra-Domain Interaction of the Cx37 Carboxyl-Terminus Controls Cell Survival

Differential phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminus of connexin 37 (Cx37-CT) regulates phenotypic switching between cell growth phenotypes (cell death, cell cycle arrest, proliferation). The specific phosphorylation events in the Cx37-CT that are necessary for these growth regulatory effects are currently unknown. Through the combined use of deletion and site specific (de)phospho-mimetic Cx37-CT mutants, our data suggest a phosphorylation-dependent interaction between the mid-tail (aa 273⁻317) and end-tail (aa 318⁻333) portions of the Cx37-CT that regulates cell survival. As detected by mass spectrometry, Cx37 was phosphorylated at serines 275, 321, and 328; phosphomimetic mutations of these sites resulted in cell death when expressed in rat insulinoma cells. Alanine substitution at S328, but not at S275 or S321, also triggered cell death. Cx37-S275D uniquely induced the death of only low density, non-contact forming cells, but neither hemichannel open probability nor channel conductance distinguished death-inducing mutants. As channel function is necessary for cell death, together the data suggest that the phosphorylation state of the Cx37-CT controls an intra-domain interaction within the CT that modifies channel function and induces cell death.

Connexins in the control of vasomotor function

Vascular endothelial cells, as well as smooth muscle cells, show heterogeneity with regard to their receptor expression and reactivity. For the vascular wall to act as a functional unit, the various cells' responses require integration. Such an integration is not only required for a homogeneous response of the vascular wall, but also for the vasomotor behaviour of consecutive segments of the microvascular arteriolar tree. As flow resistances of individual sections are connected in series, sections require synchronization and coordination to allow effective changes of conductivity and blood flow. A prerequisite for the local coordination of individual vascular cells and different sections of an arteriolar tree is intercellular communication. Connexins are involved in a dual manner in this coordination. (i) By forming gap junctions between cells, they allow an intercellular exchange of signalling molecules and electrical currents. In particular, the spread of electrical currents allows for coordination of cell responses over longer distances. (ii) Connexins are able to interact with other proteins to form signalling complexes. In this way, they can modulate and integrate individual cells' responses also in a channel-independent manner. This review outlines mechanisms allowing the vascular connexins to exert their coordinating function and to regulate the vasomotor reactions of blood vessels both locally, and in vascular networks. Wherever possible, we focus on the vasomotor behaviour of small vessels and arterioles which are the main vessels determining vascular resistance, blood pressure and local blood flow.

Connexins: Synthesis, Post-Translational Modifications, and Trafficking in Health and Disease

Connexins are tetraspan transmembrane proteins that form gap junctions and facilitate direct intercellular communication, a critical feature for the development, function, and homeostasis of tissues and organs. In addition, a growing number of gap junction-independent functions are being ascribed to these proteins. The connexin gene family is under extensive regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level, and undergoes numerous modifications at the protein level, including phosphorylation, which ultimately affects their trafficking, stability, and function. Here, we summarize these key regulatory events, with emphasis on how these affect connexin multifunctionality in health and disease.

Shear-induced Notch-Cx37-p27 axis arrests endothelial cell cycle to enable arterial specification

Establishment of a functional vascular network is rate-limiting in embryonic development, tissue repair and engineering. During blood vessel formation, newly generated endothelial cells rapidly expand into primitive plexi that undergo vascular remodeling into circulatory networks, requiring coordinated growth inhibition and arterial-venous specification. Whether the mechanisms controlling endothelial cell cycle arrest and acquisition of specialized phenotypes are interdependent is unknown. Here we demonstrate that fluid shear stress, at arterial flow magnitudes, maximally activates NOTCH signaling, which upregulates GJA4 (commonly, Cx37) and downstream cell cycle inhibitor CDKN1B (p27). Blockade of any of these steps causes hyperproliferation and loss of arterial specification. Re-expression of GJA4 or CDKN1B, or chemical cell cycle inhibition, restores endothelial growth control and arterial gene expression. Thus, we elucidate a mechanochemical pathway in which arterial shear activates a NOTCH-GJA4-CDKN1B axis that promotes endothelial cell cycle arrest to enable arterial gene expression. These insights will guide vascular regeneration and engineering.

Regulation of Cx37 channel and growth-suppressive properties by phosphorylation

Growth suppression mediated by connexin 37 (Cx37; also known as GJA4) requires interaction between its C-terminus and functional pore-forming domain. Using rat insulinoma cells, we show that Cx37 induces cell death and cell cycle arrest, and slowed cell cycling. Whether differential phosphorylation might regulate intramolecular interactions, and consequently the growth-suppressive phenotype, is unknown. Protein kinase C inhibition increased the open state probability of low-conductance gap junction channels (GJChs) and reduced GJCh closed state probability. Substituting alanine at serine residues 275, 302 and 328 eliminated Cx37-induced cell death, supported proliferation and reduced the GJCh closed state probability. With additional alanine for serine substitutions at residues 285, 319, 321 and 325, Cx37-induced cell death was eliminated and the growth arrest period prolonged, and GJCh closed state probability was restored. With aspartate substitution at these seven sites, apoptosis was induced and the open state probability of large conductance GJChs (and hemichannels) was increased. These data suggest that differential phosphorylation of the C-terminus regulates channel conformation and, thereby, cell cycle progression and cell survival.

Determinants of Cx43 Channel Gating and Permeation: The Amino Terminus

Separate connexin domains partake in proposed gating mechanisms of gap junction channels. The amino-terminus (NT) domains, which contribute to voltage sensing, may line the channel's cytoplasmic-facing funnel surface, stabilize the channel's overall structure through interactions with the transmembrane domains and each other, and integrate to form a compound particle to gate the channel closed. Interactions of the carboxyl-terminus (CT) and cytoplasmic loop (CL) domains underlie voltage- and low pH-triggered channel closure. To elucidate potential cooperation of these gating mechanisms, we replaced the Cx43NT with the Cx37NT (chimera Cx43(∗)NT37), leaving the remainder of the Cx43 sequence, including the CT and CL, unchanged. Compared to wild-type Cx43 (Cx43WT), Cx43(∗)NT37 junctions exhibited several functional alterations: extreme resistance to halothane- and acidification-induced uncoupling, absence of voltage-dependent fast inactivation, longer channel open times, larger unitary channel conductances, low junctional dye permeability/permselectivity, and an overall cation selectivity more typical of Cx37WT than Cx43WT junctions. Together, these results suggest a cohesive model of channel function wherein: 1) channel conductance and size selectivity are largely determined by pore diameter, whereas charge selectivity results from the NT domains, and 2) transition between fully open and (multiple) closed states involves global changes in structure of the pore-forming domains transduced by interactions of the pore-forming domains with either the NT, CT, or both, with the NT domains forming the gate of the completely closed channel.

Loss of functional endothelial connexin40 results in exercise-induced hypertension in mice

During activity, coordinated vasodilation of microcirculatory networks with upstream supply vessels increases blood flow to skeletal and cardiac muscles and reduces peripheral resistance. Endothelial dysfunction in humans attenuates activity-dependent vasodilation, resulting in exercise-induced hypertension in otherwise normotensive individuals. Underpinning activity-dependent hyperemia is an ascending vasodilation in which the endothelial gap junction protein, connexin (Cx)40, plays an essential role. Because exercise-induced hypertension is proposed as a forerunner to clinical hypertension, we hypothesized that endothelial disruption of Cx40 function in mice may create an animal model of this condition. To this end, we created mice in which a mutant Cx40T152A was expressed alongside wildtype Cx40 selectively in the endothelium. Expression of the Cx40T152A transgene in Xenopus oocytes and mouse coronary endothelial cells in vitro impaired both electric and chemical conductance and acted as a dominant-negative against wildtype Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45, but not Cx37. Endothelial expression of Cx40T152A in Cx40T152ATg mice attenuated ascending vasodilation, without effect on radial coupling through myoendothelial gap junctions. Using radiotelemetry, Cx40T152ATg mice showed an activity-dependent increase in blood pressure, which was significantly greater than in wildtype mice, but significantly less than in chronically hypertensive, Cx40knockout mice. The increase in heart rate with activity was also greater than in wildtype or Cx40knockout mice. We conclude that the endothelial Cx40T152A mutation attenuates activity-dependent vasodilation, producing a model of exercise-induced hypertension. These data highlight the importance of endothelial coupling through Cx40 in regulating blood pressure during activity.

Connexins: junctional and non-junctional modulators of proliferation

Mounting evidence indicates that dysregulation of gap junctions and their structural subunits-connexins-often occurs in, and sometimes causes, a variety of proliferative disorders, including cancer. Connexin-mediated regulation of cell proliferation is complex and may involve modulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC), hemichannel signalling, or gap junction-independent paths. However, the exact mechanisms linking connexins to proliferation remain poorly defined and a number of contradictory studies report both pro- and anti-proliferative effects, effects that often depend on the cell or tissue type or the microenvironment. The present review covers junctional and non-junctional regulation of proliferation by connexins, with a particular emphasis on their association with cancer.

Sequential keratinocytic differentiation and maturation in a three-dimensional model of human artificial oral mucosa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Oral mucosa shortage may limit or condition some clinical approaches in maxillofacial, periodontal and implant treatment. The availability of a human oral mucosa model generated by tissue engineering could help clinicians to address the lack of oral mucosa. In this work, we carried out a sequential maturation and differentiation study of the epithelial cell layer of an artificial human oral mucosa substitute based on fibrin-agarose biomaterials with fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Histological, immunohistochemical and gene expression analyses were carried out in artificial human oral mucosa models developed and cultured for 1, 2 and 3 wk.

RESULTS

Artificial oral mucosa models showed expression of tight junction proteins and cytokeratins from the first week of in vitro development. Mature samples of 3 wk of development subjected to air-liquid conditions showed signs of epithelial differentiation and expressed specific RNAs and proteins corresponding to adherent and gap junctions and basement lamina. Moreover, these mature samples overexpressed some desmosomal and tight junction transcripts, with gap junction components being downregulated.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that bioengineered human oral mucosa substitutes form a well-developed epithelial layer that was very similar to human native tissues. In consequence, the epithelial layer could be fully functional in these oral mucosa substitutes, thus implying that these tissues may have clinical usefulness.

Effects of small interfering RNA interference of connexin 37 on subcutaneous gastric tumours in mice

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of small interfering (si)RNA interference of connexin 37 (Cx37) on subcutaneous gastric tumours in mice. Constructed lentiviruses carrying siRNA against Cx37 significantly knocked down Cx37 mRNA and protein expression in vitro. A total of 60 mice with gastric cancer were randomly divided into the Cx37 siRNA group, the mock‑siRNA group and the control group. Cx37 siRNA, mock‑siRNA and saline were separately injected (with the lentiviruses transfected into the gastric cancer cells). Following six weeks, the Cx37 mRNA expression, Cx37 protein expression and tumor apoptosis were detected using semiquantitative reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‑mediated dUTP nick end labelling, respectively. Six weeks following lentiviral transfection, the Cx37 mRNA levels in the Cx37 siRNA group, mock‑siRNA group and saline group decreased to 42, 63 and 67%, respectively (P<0.05). The mock‑siRNA group demonstrated no significant change in Cx37 levels compared with the control group. Western blot analysis revealed lower Cx37 protein levels in the Cx37‑RNAi group than in the other groups (0.21±0.07 vs. 0.65±0.06 vs. 0.54±0.07), and that the apoptotic index of the Cx37‑RNAi group was higher than those of the mock‑siRNA and control groups (19.7±5.1 vs. 9.8±6.4 vs. 10.5±7.2%, 11.1±6.9; P<0.05). In conclusion, it was demonstrated that Cx37 siRNA is correlated with gastric cancer. Interference of Cx37 effectively reduces Cx37 mRNA and protein expression and promotes tumour apoptosis.

Structural determinants and proliferative consequences of connexin 37 hemichannel function in insulinoma cells

Connexin (Cx) 37 suppresses vascular and cancer cell proliferation. The C terminus and a channel able to function are necessary, and neither by itself is sufficient, for Cx37 to mediate growth suppression. Cx37 supports transmembrane and intercellular signaling by forming functional hemichannels (HCs) and gap junction channels (GJCs), respectively. Here we determined whether Cx37 with HC, but not GJC, functionality would suppress proliferation of rat insulinoma (Rin) cells comparably to wild-type Cx37 (Cx37-WT). We mutated extracellular loop residues hypothesized to compromise HC docking but not HC function (six cysteines mutated to alanine, C54A,C61A,C65A, C187A,C192A,C198A (designated as C6A); N55I; and Q58L). All three mutants trafficked to the plasma membrane and formed protein plaques comparably to Cx37-WT. None of the mutants formed functional GJCs, and Cx37-C6A did not form functional HCs. Cx37-N55I and -Q58L formed HCs with behavior and permeation properties similar to Cx37-WT (especially Q58L), but none of the mutants suppressed Rin cell proliferation. The data indicate that determinants of Cx37 HC function differ from other Cxs and that HC functions with associated HC-supported protein-protein interactions are not sufficient for Cx37 to suppress Rin cell proliferation. Together with previously published data, these results suggest that Cx37 suppresses Rin cell proliferation only when in a specific conformation achieved by interaction of the C terminus with a Cx37 pore-forming domain able to open as a GJC.

Possible role of hemichannels in cancer

In humans, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) are the building blocks of hemichannels. These proteins are frequently altered in neoplastic cells and have traditionally been considered as tumor suppressors. Alteration of Cxs and Panxs in cancer cells can be due to genetic, epigenetic and post-transcriptional/post-translational events. Activated hemichannels mediate the diffusional membrane transport of ions and small signaling molecules. In the last decade hemichannels have been shown to participate in diverse cell processes including the modulation of cell proliferation and survival. However, their possible role in tumor growth and expansion remains largely unexplored. Herein, we hypothesize about the possible role of hemichannels in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. To support this theory, we summarize the evidence regarding the involvement of hemichannels in cell proliferation and migration, as well as their possible role in the anti-tumor immune responses. In addition, we discuss the evidence linking hemichannels with cancer in diverse models and comment on the current technical limitations for their study.

Mutations of Cx43 that affect B cell spreading in response to BCR signaling

The gap junction (GJ) protein connexin 43 (Cx43) is both necessary and sufficient for B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated cell spreading. To address how Cx43 mediates this effect, we blocked its function genetically, by expressing mutants of Cx43, and pharmacologically, by using chemical inhibitors. While various point mutations of Cx43 inhibited B cell spreading, treatment with channel blocking drugs did not, suggesting that this response was independent of channel function. The critical region of Cx43 appears to be the cytoplasmic carboxyl-terminal (CT) domain, which has previously been shown to be important for B cell spreading. Consistent with this, mutations of either tyrosine 247 or 265 found in the CT were sufficient to inhibit spreading. Thus Cx43 may influence B cell spreading by mechanisms requiring protein binding to, or modification of, these sites in the CT tail.

Carboxy terminus and pore-forming domain properties specific to Cx37 are necessary for Cx37-mediated suppression of insulinoma cell proliferation

Connexin 37 (Cx37) suppresses cell proliferation when expressed in rat insulinoma (Rin) cells, an effect also manifest in vivo during vascular development and in response to tissue injury. Mutant forms of Cx37 with nonfunctional channels but normally localized, wild-type carboxy termini are not growth suppressive. Here we determined whether the carboxy-terminal (CT) domain is required for Cx37-mediated growth suppression and whether the Cx37 pore-forming domain can be replaced with the Cx43 pore-forming domain and still retain growth-suppressive properties. We show that despite forming functional gap junction channels and hemichannels, Cx37 with residues subsequent to 273 replaced with a V5-epitope tag (Cx37-273tr*V5) had no effect on the proliferation of Rin cells, did not facilitate G1-cell cycle arrest with serum deprivation, and did not prolong cell cycle time comparably to the wild-type protein. The chimera Cx43*CT37, comprising the pore-forming domain of Cx43 and CT of Cx37, also did not suppress proliferation, despite forming functional gap junctions with a permselective profile similar to wild-type Cx37. Differences in channel behavior of both Cx37-273tr*V5 and Cx43*CT37 relative to their wild-type counterparts and failure of the Cx37-CT to interact as the Cx43-CT does with the Cx43 cytoplasmic loop suggest that the Cx37-CT and pore-forming domains are both essential to growth suppression by Cx37.

Concise review: in search of unlimited sources of functional human pancreatic beta cells

It is well-established that insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells are central in diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, beta cells are destroyed by an autoimmune mechanism, whereas in type 2 diabetes, there is a decrease in functional beta-cell mass. In this context, studying beta cells is of major importance. Beta cells represent only 1% of total pancreatic cells and are found dispersed in the pancreatic gland. During the past decades, many tools and approaches have been developed to study rodent beta cells that efficiently pushed the field forward. However, rodent and human beta cells are not identical, and our knowledge of human beta cells has not progressed as quickly as our understanding of rodent beta cells. We believe that one of the reasons for this inefficient progress is the difficulty of accessing unlimited sources of functional human pancreatic beta cells. The main focus of this review concerns recent strategies to generate new sources of human pancreatic beta cells.

Extracellular loop cysteine mutant of cx37 fails to suppress proliferation of rat insulinoma cells

Although a functional pore domain is required for connexin 37 (Cx37)-mediated suppression of rat insulinoma (Rin) cell proliferation, it is unknown whether functional hemichannels would be sufficient or if Cx37 gap junction channels are required for growth suppression. To test this possibility, we targeted extracellular loop cysteines for mutation, expecting that the mutated protein would retain hemichannel, but not gap junction channel, functionality. Cysteines at positions 61 and 65 in the first extracellular loop of Cx37 were mutated to alanine and the mutant protein (Cx37-C61,65A) expressed in Rin cells. Although the resulting iRin37-C61,65A cells expressed the mutant protein comparably to Cx37 wild-type (Cx37-WT)--expressing Rin cells (iRin37), Cx37-C61,65A expression did not suppress the proliferation of Rin cells. As expected, iRin37-C61,65A cells did not form functional gap junction channels. However, functional hemichannels also could not be detected in iRin37-C61,65A cells by either dye uptake or electrophysiological approaches. Thus, failure of Cx37-C61,65A to suppress the proliferation of Rin cells is consistent with previous data demonstrating the importance of channel functionality to Cx37's growth-suppressive function. Moreover, failure of the Cx37-C61,65A hemichannel to function, even in low external calcium, emphasizes the importance of extracellular loop cysteines not only in hemichannel docking but also in determining the ability of the hemichannel to adopt a closed configuration that can open in response to triggers, such as low external calcium, effective at opening Cx37-WT hemichannels.

Inducible coexpression of connexin37 or connexin40 with connexin43 selectively affects intercellular molecular transfer

Many tissues express multiple gap junction proteins, or connexins (Cx); for example, Cx43, Cx40, and Cx37 are coexpressed in vascular cells. This study was undertaken to elucidate the consequences of coexpression of Cx40 or Cx37 with Cx43 at different ratios. EcR-293 cells (which endogenously produce Cx43) were transfected with ecdysone-inducible plasmids encoding Cx37 or Cx40. Immmunoblotting showed a ponasterone dose-dependent induction of Cx37 or Cx40 while constant levels of Cx43 were maintained. The coexpressed connexins colocalized at appositional membranes. Double whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed no significant change in total junctional conductances in cells treated with 0, 0.5, or 4 μM ponasterone; however, they did show a diversity of unitary channel sizes consistent with the induced connexin expression. In cells with induced expression of either Cx40 or Cx37, intercellular transfer of microinjected Lucifer yellow was reduced, but transfer of NBD-TMA (2-(4-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiol-7-yl)[aminoethyl]trimethylammonium) was not affected. In cocultures containing uninduced EcR cells together with cells induced to coexpress Cx37 or Cx40, Lucifer yellow transfer was observed only between the cells expressing Cx43 alone. These data show that induced expression of either Cx37 or Cx40 in Cx43-expressing cells can selectively alter the intercellular exchange of some molecules without affecting the transfer of others.

Cx37 deletion enhances vascular growth and facilitates ischemic limb recovery

The unique contributions of connexin (Cx)37 and Cx40, gap junction-forming proteins that are coexpressed in vascular endothelium, to the recovery of tissues from ischemic injury are unknown. We recently reported that Cx37-deficient (Cx37(-/-)) animals recovered ischemic hindlimb function more quickly and to a greater extent than wild-type (WT) or Cx40(-/-) animals, suggesting that Cx37 limits recovery in the WT animal. Here, we tested the hypothesis that enhanced angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, and vasculogenesis contribute to improved postischemic hindlimb recovery in Cx37(-/-) animals. Ischemia was induced unilaterally in the hindlimbs of WT or Cx37(-/-) mice (isoflurane anesthesia). Postsurgical limb appearance, use, and perfusion were documented during recovery, and the number (and size) of large and small vessels was determined. Native collateral number, predominantly established during embryonic development (vasculogenesis), was also determined in the pial circulation. Both microvascular density in the gastrocnemius of the ischemic limb (an angiogenic field) and the number and tortuosity of larger vessels in the gracilis vasculature (an arteriogenic field) were increased in Cx37(-/-) animals compared with WT animals. Cx37(-/-) mice also had an increased (vs. WT) number of collateral vessels in the pial circulation. These findings suggest that in Cx37(-/-) animals, improved recovery of the ischemic hindlimb involves enhanced vasculogenesis, resulting in increased numbers of collaterals in the hindlimb (and pial circulations) and more extensive collateral remodeling and angiogenesis. These results are consistent with Cx37 exerting a growth-suppressive effect in the vasculature that limits embryonic vasculogenesis as well as arteriogenic and angiogenic responses to ischemic injury in the adult animal.