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Cardouat G, Douard M, Bouchet C, Roubenne L, Kmecová Z, Esteves P, Brette F, Guignabert C, Tu L, Campagnac M, Robillard P, Coste F, Delcambre F, Thumerel M, Begueret H, Maurac A, Belaroussi Y, Klimas J, Ducret T, Quignard JF, Vacher P, Baudrimont I, Marthan R, Berger P, Guibert C, Freund-Michel V. NGF increases Connexin-43 expression and function in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells to induce pulmonary artery hyperreactivity. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116552. [PMID: 38599061 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterised by an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, ultimately leading to right ventricular failure and death. We have previously shown that nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a critical role in PH. Our objectives here were to determine whether NGF controls Connexin-43 (Cx43) expression and function in the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle, and whether this mechanism contributes to NGF-induced pulmonary artery hyperreactivity. METHODS AND RESULTS NGF activates its TrkA receptor to increase Cx43 expression, phosphorylation, and localization at the plasma membrane in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, thus leading to enhanced activity of Cx43-dependent GAP junctions as shown by Lucifer Yellow dye assay transfer and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching -FRAP- experiments. Using both in vitro pharmacological and in vivo SiRNA approaches, we demonstrate that NGF-dependent increase in Cx43 expression and activity in the rat pulmonary circulation causes pulmonary artery hyperreactivity. We also show that, in a rat model of PH induced by chronic hypoxia, in vivo blockade of NGF or of its TrkA receptor significantly reduces Cx43 increased pulmonary arterial expression induced by chronic hypoxia and displays preventive effects on pulmonary arterial pressure increase and right heart hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS Modulation of Cx43 by NGF in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells contributes to NGF-induced alterations of pulmonary artery reactivity. Since NGF and its TrkA receptor play a role in vivo in Cx43 increased expression in PH induced by chronic hypoxia, these NGF/Cx43-dependent mechanisms may therefore play a significant role in human PH pathophysiology.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Male
- Rats
- Cells, Cultured
- Connexin 43/metabolism
- Gap Junctions/metabolism
- Gap Junctions/drug effects
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism
- Phosphorylation
- Pulmonary Artery/drug effects
- Pulmonary Artery/metabolism
- Pulmonary Artery/pathology
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptor, trkA/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthieu Douard
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France; Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, IHU Liryc, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Clément Bouchet
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Lukas Roubenne
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Zuzana Kmecová
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pauline Esteves
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Fabien Brette
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France; Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, IHU Liryc, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Christophe Guignabert
- INSERM UMR_S 999, « Pulmonary Hypertension: Pathophysiology and Novel Therapies », Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson 92350, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France
| | - Ly Tu
- INSERM UMR_S 999, « Pulmonary Hypertension: Pathophysiology and Novel Therapies », Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson 92350, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre 94270, France
| | | | - Paul Robillard
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | - Florence Coste
- Laboratoire de Pharm-écologie Cardiovasculaire (LaPEC-EA 4278), Université d'Avignon et des Pays du Vaucluse, Avignon 84000, France
| | | | - Matthieu Thumerel
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France; CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33000, France
| | | | | | | | - Jan Klimas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Thomas Ducret
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | | | - Pierre Vacher
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France
| | | | - Roger Marthan
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France; CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33000, France
| | - Patrick Berger
- Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, Bordeaux F-33000, France; CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux 33000, France
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Tukacs V, Mittli D, Hunyadi-Gulyás É, Darula Z, Juhász G, Kardos J, Kékesi KA. Comparative analysis of hippocampal extracellular space uncovers widely altered peptidome upon epileptic seizure in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Fluids Barriers CNS 2024; 21:6. [PMID: 38212833 PMCID: PMC10782730 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-024-00508-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain extracellular fluid (ECF), composed of secreted neurotransmitters, metabolites, peptides, and proteins, may reflect brain processes. Analysis of brain ECF may provide new potential markers for synaptic activity or brain damage and reveal additional information on pathological alterations. Epileptic seizure induction is an acute and harsh intervention in brain functions, and it can activate extra- and intracellular proteases, which implies an altered brain secretome. Thus, we applied a 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) epilepsy model to study the hippocampal ECF peptidome alterations upon treatment in rats. METHODS We performed in vivo microdialysis in the hippocampus for 3-3 h of control and 4-AP treatment phase in parallel with electrophysiology measurement. Then, we analyzed the microdialysate peptidome of control and treated samples from the same subject by liquid chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry. We analyzed electrophysiological and peptidomic alterations upon epileptic seizure induction by two-tailed, paired t-test. RESULTS We detected 2540 peptides in microdialysate samples by mass spectrometry analysis; and 866 peptides-derived from 229 proteins-were found in more than half of the samples. In addition, the abundance of 322 peptides significantly altered upon epileptic seizure induction. Several proteins of significantly altered peptides are neuropeptides (Chgb) or have synapse- or brain-related functions such as the regulation of synaptic vesicle cycle (Atp6v1a, Napa), astrocyte morphology (Vim), and glutamate homeostasis (Slc3a2). CONCLUSIONS We have detected several consequences of epileptic seizures at the peptidomic level, as altered peptide abundances of proteins that regulate epilepsy-related cellular processes. Thus, our results indicate that analyzing brain ECF by in vivo microdialysis and omics techniques is useful for monitoring brain processes, and it can be an alternative method in the discovery and analysis of CNS disease markers besides peripheral fluid analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanda Tukacs
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Dániel Mittli
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Éva Hunyadi-Gulyás
- Laboratory of Proteomics Research, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN), Temesvári Körút 62, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Darula
- Laboratory of Proteomics Research, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN), Temesvári Körút 62, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
- Single Cell Omics Advanced Core Facility, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, Temesvári Körút 62, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
| | - Gábor Juhász
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
- InnoScience Hungary Ltd., Bátori Út 9, Mátranovák, 3142, Hungary
| | - József Kardos
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Katalin Adrienna Kékesi
- ELTE NAP Neuroimmunology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
- InnoScience Hungary Ltd., Bátori Út 9, Mátranovák, 3142, Hungary.
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter Sétány 1/C, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
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Wang SR, Mallard CG, Cairns CA, Chung HK, Yoo D, Jaladanki SK, Xiao L, Wang JY. Stabilization of Cx43 mRNA via RNA-binding protein HuR regulated by polyamines enhances intestinal epithelial barrier function. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G518-G527. [PMID: 37788332 PMCID: PMC10894663 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00143.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Gut barrier dysfunction occurs commonly in patients with critical disorders, leading to the translocation of luminal toxic substances and bacteria to the bloodstream. Connexin 43 (Cx43) acts as a gap junction protein and is crucial for intercellular communication and the diffusion of nutrients. The levels of cellular Cx43 are tightly regulated by multiple factors, including polyamines, but the exact mechanism underlying the control of Cx43 expression remains largely unknown. The RNA-binding protein HuR regulates the stability and translation of target mRNAs and is involved in many aspects of intestinal epithelial pathobiology. Here we show that HuR directly bound to Cx43 mRNA via its 3'-untranslated region in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and this interaction enhanced Cx43 expression by stabilizing Cx43 mRNA. Depletion of cellular polyamines inhibited the [HuR/Cx43 mRNA] complex and decreased the level of Cx43 protein by destabilizing its mRNA, but these changes were prevented by ectopic overexpression of HuR. Polyamine depletion caused intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, which was reversed by ectopic Cx43 overexpression. Moreover, overexpression of checkpoint kinase 2 in polyamine-deficient cells increased the [HuR/Cx43 mRNA] complex, elevated Cx43 levels, and promoted barrier function. These findings indicate that Cx43 mRNA is a novel target of HuR in IECs and that polyamines regulate Cx43 mRNA stability via HuR, thus playing a critical role in the maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The current study shows that polyamines stabilize the Cx43 mRNA via HuR, thus enhancing the function of the Cx43-mediated gap junction. These findings suggest that induced Cx43 by HuR plays a critical role in the process by which polyamines regulate intestinal epithelial barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley R Wang
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Caroline G Mallard
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Cassandra A Cairns
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Hee Kyoung Chung
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Dongyoon Yoo
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Suraj K Jaladanki
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Lan Xiao
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Jian-Ying Wang
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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Posukh OL, Maslova EA, Danilchenko VY, Zytsar MV, Orishchenko KE. Functional Consequences of Pathogenic Variants of the GJB2 Gene (Cx26) Localized in Different Cx26 Domains. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1521. [PMID: 37892203 PMCID: PMC10604905 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most common forms of genetic deafness has been predominantly associated with pathogenic variants in the GJB2 gene, encoding transmembrane protein connexin 26 (Cx26). The Cx26 molecule consists of an N-terminal domain (NT), four transmembrane domains (TM1-TM4), two extracellular loops (EL1 and EL2), a cytoplasmic loop, and a C-terminus (CT). Pathogenic variants in the GJB2 gene, resulting in amino acid substitutions scattered across the Cx26 domains, lead to a variety of clinical outcomes, including the most common non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB1A), autosomal dominant deafness (DFNA3A), as well as syndromic forms combining hearing loss and skin disorders. However, for rare and poorly documented variants, information on the mode of inheritance is often lacking. Numerous in vitro studies have been conducted to elucidate the functional consequences of pathogenic GJB2 variants leading to amino acid substitutions in different domains of Cx26 protein. In this work, we summarized all available data on a mode of inheritance of pathogenic GJB2 variants leading to amino acid substitutions and reviewed published information on their functional effects, with an emphasis on their localization in certain Cx26 domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga L. Posukh
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (E.A.M.); (V.Y.D.); (M.V.Z.); (K.E.O.)
- Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A. Maslova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (E.A.M.); (V.Y.D.); (M.V.Z.); (K.E.O.)
- Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valeriia Yu. Danilchenko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (E.A.M.); (V.Y.D.); (M.V.Z.); (K.E.O.)
- Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Marina V. Zytsar
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (E.A.M.); (V.Y.D.); (M.V.Z.); (K.E.O.)
| | - Konstantin E. Orishchenko
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (E.A.M.); (V.Y.D.); (M.V.Z.); (K.E.O.)
- Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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Wu L, Jiang T, Fu Z, Wang L, You H, Xue J, Luo D. Connexin 43 dephosphorylation at serine 282 induces spontaneous arrhythmia and increases susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15879. [PMID: 37215881 PMCID: PMC10196788 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Connexin 43 (Cx43), the predominant gap junction protein in hearts, is modified by specific (de)phosphorylation events under physiological and pathological states to affect myocardium function and structure. Previously we found that deficiency in Cx43 S282 phosphorylation could impair intercellular communication and contribute to cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/factor-associated suicide (Fas)/Fas-associating protein with a novel death domain (FADD) pathway, which is involved in myocardium injury in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) heart. In addition, mutant at Cx43 S282 substituted with alanine heterozygous mice (S282A+/-) exhibited different degrees of ventricular arrhythmias and only some underwent myocardium apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Cx43 pS282 in different cardiac pathological phenotypes. Methods We examined cardiac function, structure, and relevant protein expression in S282A+/- mice (aged 2, 10 and 30 weeks) by electrocardiograph, echocardiography, histological staining, and co-immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot. Intraperitoneal isoprenaline injection and I/R surgery were applied in S282A+/- mice as external stimulus. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used for myocardium infarction evaluation. Results Adult S282A+/- mice (aged 10 and 30 weeks) still exhibited spontaneous arrhythmia. Unlike neonatal stage (aged around 2 weeks), no apoptosis-related manifestations and the activation of p38 MAPK-Fas-FADD apoptotic pathway were observed in adult S282A+/- hearts. S282A+/- neonatal mice with cardiomyocytes apoptosis exhibited more than 60% dephosphorylation at Cx43 S282 than WT mice, while less than 40% S282 dephosphorylation were found in adult S282A+/- mice. In addition, although S282A+/- mice displayed normal cardiac function, they were highly susceptible to isoproterenol-induced ECG alternans and prone to cardiac injury and deaths upon I/R attack. Conclusions These results reinforce that Cx43 S282 dephosphorylation acts as a susceptibility factor in regulating cardiomyocyte survival and cardiac electrical homeostasis in basal conditions and contributes to myocardium injury in the setting of I/R. Cx43 S282 phosphorylation was competent to induce spontaneous arrhythmias, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and deaths based on the degree of S282 dephosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulin Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disturbance Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Tianhui Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disturbance Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Zhiping Fu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disturbance Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Luqi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disturbance Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Hongjie You
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disturbance Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Jingyi Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disturbance Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Dali Luo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disturbance Related Cardiovascular Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
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Falleni A, Moscato S, Fulvio G, Polizzi E, Bernardeschi M, Bianchi F, Donati V, Cabiati M, Ippolito C, Del Ry S, Baldini C, Mattii L. Connexin Expression in Human Minor Salivary Glands: An Immunohistochemical Microscopy Study. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27185926. [PMID: 36144660 PMCID: PMC9505306 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins involved in the formation of hemichannels and gap junctions (GJs). GJs are involved in various physiological functions, including secretion in glandular tissue. It has been demonstrated that Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 are mainly expressed in glands, but no data are available in human salivary glands to date. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence and the localization of Cxs in human minor labial salivary glands. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy were employed to evaluate the Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 protein in human labial salivary gland biopsies (hLSGBs). RT-PCR was also used to detect their mRNA expression. Cx expression was found at both the mRNA and protein levels in all hLSGBs analysed. Cxs were observed at the level of the duct and acinar cells, as well as in myoepithelial cells. The localization of the three Cx types was very similar, suggesting colocalization of these Cxs in the same connexons. These results demonstrated the presence of Cxs in human salivary glands for the first time. Moreover, the few samples with primary Sjögren’s Syndrome analysed only by immunofluorescence showed an alteration of the Cx expression, indicating that these proteins could be involved in salivary gland dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Falleni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +39-050-221-9106 (A.F.); +39-050-221-8615 (L.M.)
| | - Stefania Moscato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fulvio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enza Polizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Bianchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Donati
- Pathological Anatomy Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Manuela Cabiati
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Del Ry
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Baldini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Letizia Mattii
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (L.M.); Tel.: +39-050-221-9106 (A.F.); +39-050-221-8615 (L.M.)
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Huang M, Song A, Chen X, Ishtiaq S, Wang C, Hadsell DL, Wang QA, Zhu Y. Maternal Adipocyte Connexin43 Gap Junctions Affect Breastmilk Lactose Levels and Neonate Growth in Mice. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11071023. [PMID: 36101404 PMCID: PMC9311998 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Breastfeeding offers many health benefits for both mothers and infants. However, overnutrition and a steady increase in obesity in the U.S. has made it harder for many mothers to produce and express breastmilk. Moreover, the quality of breastmilk from obese mothers is frequently compromised in that it contains fewer nutrients and more inflammatory components. In this study, we used mice to model this phenomenon. We found that short-term high-fat feeding at the start of breeding reduces litter size and pups’ body weight. It also impairs adipocyte remodeling during lactation. Connexin43 is the primary building block for gap junctions in the adipose tissue. It is postulated to play an essential role in adipose tissue remodeling to accommodate mammary gland development and breastmilk production. Using genetically engineered mice without Connexin43 in their adipocytes, we demonstrated that the deletion of adipocyte Connexin43 affects the disappearance of adipocytes during lactation and affects milk composition, which is postulated to impair the pups’ growth. Altogether, this study suggests that increasing or enhancing adipocyte Connexin43 gap junctions may help obese mothers produce better breastmilk to support their neonates. Abstract Breastfeeding offers a broad spectrum of health benefits for infants. However, overnutrition and a steady increase in maternal obesity in the U.S. have made it harder for many mothers to produce and express breastmilk, and the quality of milk from obese mothers is also frequently compromised. Adipocytes, the primary cell type in the non-lactating breast, display a drastic morphological and functional change during lactation in mice. Lipid-filled adipocytes undergo lipolysis, and lipid droplets disappear to provide fatty acids and energy for breastmilk production. Once the animal stops lactation, these lipid-depleted adipocytes return as lipid-laden cells. This dynamic remodeling of the tissue is likely the result of active intercellular communications. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most abundant connexin in the mammary adipose tissue that makes up the gap junctions for direct intercellular communications. Its expression is increased during lactation and reduced in obese mammary adipose tissue, which is resistant to lactation-induced remodeling. However, whether Cx43 is required for adipocyte remodeling and breastmilk production to support neonates’ growth has not been established. In this study, we used doxycycline-inducible adipocyte-specific Cx43-deleted mice and demonstrated that adipocyte Cx43 played a vital role in determining the carbohydrate levels in breastmilk, which may subsequently affect neonates’ growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Huang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.H.); (X.C.); (S.I.); (C.W.); (D.L.H.)
| | - Anying Song
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Xi Chen
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.H.); (X.C.); (S.I.); (C.W.); (D.L.H.)
| | - Sarah Ishtiaq
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.H.); (X.C.); (S.I.); (C.W.); (D.L.H.)
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.H.); (X.C.); (S.I.); (C.W.); (D.L.H.)
| | - Darryl L. Hadsell
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.H.); (X.C.); (S.I.); (C.W.); (D.L.H.)
| | - Qiong A. Wang
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Institute, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
- Correspondence: (Q.A.W.); (Y.Z.); Tel.: +1-626-256-4673 (Q.A.W.); +1-713-798-0378 (Y.Z.)
| | - Yi Zhu
- Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.H.); (X.C.); (S.I.); (C.W.); (D.L.H.)
- Correspondence: (Q.A.W.); (Y.Z.); Tel.: +1-626-256-4673 (Q.A.W.); +1-713-798-0378 (Y.Z.)
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8
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Cooreman A, Caufriez A, Tabernilla A, Van Campenhout R, Leroy K, Kadam P, Sanz Serrano J, dos Santos Rodrigues B, Annaert P, Vinken M. Effects of Drugs Formerly Proposed for COVID-19 Treatment on Connexin43 Hemichannels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095018. [PMID: 35563409 PMCID: PMC9103705 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannels form a pathway for cellular communication between the cell and its extracellular environment. Under pathological conditions, Cx43 hemichannels release adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which triggers inflammation. Over the past two years, azithromycin, chloroquine, dexamethasone, favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir, remdesivir, ribavirin, and ritonavir have been proposed as drugs for the treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is associated with prominent systemic inflammation. The current study aimed to investigate if Cx43 hemichannels, being key players in inflammation, could be affected by these drugs which were formerly designated as COVID-19 drugs. For this purpose, Cx43-transduced cells were exposed to these drugs. The effects on Cx43 hemichannel activity were assessed by measuring extracellular ATP release, while the effects at the transcriptional and translational levels were monitored by means of real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunoblot analysis, respectively. Exposure to lopinavir and ritonavir combined (4:1 ratio), as well as to remdesivir, reduced Cx43 mRNA levels. None of the tested drugs affected Cx43 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Cooreman
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Anne Caufriez
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Andrés Tabernilla
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Raf Van Campenhout
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Kaat Leroy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Prashant Kadam
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Julen Sanz Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Bruna dos Santos Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
| | - Pieter Annaert
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.C.); (A.C.); (A.T.); (R.V.C.); (K.L.); (P.K.); (J.S.S.); (B.d.S.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2477-4587
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