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Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication (gap + junctional_intercellular_communication)
Selected AbstractsEffect of byproducts from the ozonation of pyrene: Biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde and biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid on gap junction intercellular communication and neutrophil functionENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2005Stephanie L. Luster-Teasley Abstract In this study, biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde, an initial by product formed from the ozonation of pyrene, and biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid, a subsequent pyrene ozonation byproduct, were evaluated using two toxicology assays to compare the toxicity of ozonation byproducts with that of the parent compound. The first assay measured the potential for the compounds to block gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) using the scrape loading/dye transfer technique in normal WB-344 rat liver epithelial cells. The second assay evaluated the ability of the compounds to affect neutrophil function by measuring the production of superoxide in a human cell line (HL-60). Pyrene significantly blocked intercellular communication (f= 0.2,0.5) at 40 ,M and complete inhibition of communication (f < 0.2) occurred at 50 ,M. Gap junctional intercellular communication in cells exposed to biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde reached f < 0.5 at a concentration of 15 ,M. At concentrations greater than 20 ,M, biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde was cytotoxic and the inhibition of GJIC was caused by cell death. Biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid was neither cytotoxic nor inhibitory to GJIC at the concentrations tested (10,500 ,M). Exposure to biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate,stimulated O12 production. Neither exposure to pyrene nor biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid caused a significant toxic effect on neutrophil function. [source] HuR regulates gap junctional intercellular communication by controlling ,-catenin levels and adherens junction integrity,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Niloofar Ale-Agha Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a critical role in the regulation of tissue homeostasis and carcinogenesis and is modulated by the levels, subcellular localization, and posttranslational modification of gap junction proteins, the connexins (Cx). Here, using oval cell-like rat liver epithelial cells, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding protein HuR promotes GJIC through two mechanisms. First, HuR silencing lowered the levels of Cx43 protein and Cx43 messenger RNA (mRNA), and decreased Cx43 mRNA half-life. This regulation was likely due to the direct stabilization of Cx43 mRNA by HuR, because HuR associated directly with Cx43 mRNA, a transcript that bears signature adenylate-uridylate-rich (AU-rich) and uridylate-rich (U-rich) sequences in its 3,-untranslated region. Second, HuR silencing reduced both half-life and the levels of ,-catenin mRNA, also a target of HuR; accordingly, HuR silencing lowered the levels of whole-cell and membrane-associated ,-catenin. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed a direct interaction between ,-catenin and Cx43. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of ,-catenin recapitulated the effects of decreasing HuR levels: it attenuated GJIC, decreased Cx43 levels, and redistributed Cx43 to the cytoplasm, suggesting that depletion of ,-catenin in HuR-silenced cells contributed to lowering Cx43 levels at the membrane. Finally, HuR was demonstrated to support GJIC after exposure to a genotoxic agent, doxorubicin, or an inducer of differentiation processes, retinoic acid, thus pointing to a crucial role of HuR in the cellular response to stress and in physiological processes modulated by GJIC. Conclusion: HuR promotes gap junctional intercellular communication in rat liver epithelial cells through two related regulatory processes, by enhancing the expression of Cx43 and by increasing the expression of ,-catenin, which, in turn, interacts with Cx43 and is required for proper positioning of Cx43 at the plasma membrane. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.) [source] Irsogladine maleate counters the interleukin-1,-induced suppression in gap-junctional intercellular communication but does not affect the interleukin-1,-induced zonula occludens protein-1 levels in human gingival epithelial cellsJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008T. Fujita Background and Objective:, Irsogladine maleate counters gap junctional intercellular communication reduction induced by interleukin-8 or Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in cultured human gingival epithelial cells. Interleukin-1, is involved in periodontal disease. Little is known, however, about the effect of interleukin-1, on intercellular junctional complexes in human gingival epithelial cells. Furthermore, irsogladine maleate may affect the actions of interleukin-1,. In this study, we examined how interleukin-1, affected gap junctional intercellular communication, connexin 43 and zonula occludens protein-1, and how irsogladine maleate modulated the interleukin-1,-induced changes in the intercellular junctional complexes in human gingival epithelial cells. Material and Methods:, Human gingival epithelial cells were exposed to interleukin-1,, with or without irsogladine maleate. Connexin 43 and zonula occludens protein-1 were examined at mRNA and protein levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Gap junctional intercellular communication was determined using the dye transfer method. The expression of zonula occludens protein-1 was also confirmed by immunofluorescence. Results:, Interleukin-1, decreased connexin 43 mRNA levels, but increased zonula occludens protein-1 mRNA levels. Irsogladine maleate countered the interleukin-1,-induced reduction in gap junctional intercellular communication and connexin 43 levels. However, irsogladine maleate did not influence the increased zonula occludens protein-1 levels. Conclusion:, The effect of interleukin-1, on gap junctional intercellular communication and tight junctions of human gingival epithelial cells is different. The recovery of gap junctional intercellular communication by irsogladine maleate in the gingival epithelium may be a normal process in gingival epithelial homeostasis. [source] Reduced gap junctional intercellular communication and altered biological effects in mouse osteoblast and rat liver oval cell lines transfected with dominant-negative connexin 43MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 4 2003Brad L. Upham Abstract Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) maintains normal growth and differentiation of cells in a tissue. The intercellular molecules traversing gap junctions are largely unknown, but the molecular weight (MW) cutoff is normally 1200 Da. No differences in dye transfer were observed in normal or vector controls of WB-F344 rat liver epithelial or mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells with either Lucifer Yellow (LY) with a MW of 457 Da (LY-457) or LY with a MW of 649 Da (LY-649). Transfection of a dominant negative-connexin 43 (Cx43) gene decreased GJIC (>50%) when LY-649 was used, however, normal GJIC was observed in both cell lines when LY-457 was used. Therefore, the MW cut off in these clones was considerably less than the wild type. The dominant negative clones of the MC3T3-E1 cells exhibited over 90% less alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity and calcium deposition after the induction of differentiation. Similarly, dominant negative Cx43 inhibited gene expression of ALPase and bone sialoprotein but not osteocalcin in MC3T3-E1. WB-F344 cells normally exhibit a biphasic response to 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) where inhibition of GJIC recovers after 2 h, but the dominant negative clones showed no recovery from inhibition of GJIC by TPA. Dominant negative Cx43 also inhibited the formation of network-like structures by WB-F344 cells on Matrigel. These results demonstrate that the dominant negative gene transfected into cell types containing the wild-type connexins result in diminished channel sizes, thus allowing the determination of whether distinct biological endpoints, i.e., differentiation, are dependent upon either small or high MW intercellular signals. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effect of byproducts from the ozonation of pyrene: Biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde and biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid on gap junction intercellular communication and neutrophil functionENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2005Stephanie L. Luster-Teasley Abstract In this study, biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde, an initial by product formed from the ozonation of pyrene, and biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid, a subsequent pyrene ozonation byproduct, were evaluated using two toxicology assays to compare the toxicity of ozonation byproducts with that of the parent compound. The first assay measured the potential for the compounds to block gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) using the scrape loading/dye transfer technique in normal WB-344 rat liver epithelial cells. The second assay evaluated the ability of the compounds to affect neutrophil function by measuring the production of superoxide in a human cell line (HL-60). Pyrene significantly blocked intercellular communication (f= 0.2,0.5) at 40 ,M and complete inhibition of communication (f < 0.2) occurred at 50 ,M. Gap junctional intercellular communication in cells exposed to biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde reached f < 0.5 at a concentration of 15 ,M. At concentrations greater than 20 ,M, biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde was cytotoxic and the inhibition of GJIC was caused by cell death. Biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid was neither cytotoxic nor inhibitory to GJIC at the concentrations tested (10,500 ,M). Exposure to biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarbaldehyde resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate,stimulated O12 production. Neither exposure to pyrene nor biphenyl-2,2,,6,6,-tetracarboxylic acid caused a significant toxic effect on neutrophil function. [source] Enhanced Connexin 43 immunoreactivity in penumbral areas in the human brain following ischemiaGLIA, Issue 5 2006Taizen Nakase Abstract Astrocytes support neurons not only physically but also chemically by secreting neurotrophic factors and energy substrates. Moreover, astrocytes establish a glial network and communicate through gap junctions in the brain. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is one of major component proteins in astrocytic gap junctions. Heterozygote Cx43 KO mice and astrocyte specific Cx43 KO mice exhibited amplified brain damage after ischemic insults, suggesting a neuroprotective role for astrocytic gap junctions. However, some reports mentioned unfavorable effects of gap junctions in neuronal support. Therefore, the role of astrocytic gap junctions under ischemic condition remains controversial. Since these studies have been performed using animal models, we investigated the Cx43 expression in human brain after stroke. Brain slice sections were prepared from pathological samples in our hospital. Embolic stroke brains sectioned because of the stroke were considered as acute ischemic models. Multiple infarction brains sectioned because of pneumonia or cancer were considered as chronic models. We observed the levels of Cx43 in both lesioned and intact areas, and compared them with acute and chronic models. As the results, astrocytes were strongly activated in penumbral lesions both of acute and chronic ischemic models. The Cx43 immunoreactivity was significantly amplified in the penumbra of chronic model compared to that of the acute model. Neurons were well preserved in chronic model compared to acute model. These findings suggested that the brain may generate neuronal protection by increasing the levels of Cx43 and amplifying the astrocytic gap junctional intercellular communication under hypoxic condition. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] HuR regulates gap junctional intercellular communication by controlling ,-catenin levels and adherens junction integrity,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Niloofar Ale-Agha Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a critical role in the regulation of tissue homeostasis and carcinogenesis and is modulated by the levels, subcellular localization, and posttranslational modification of gap junction proteins, the connexins (Cx). Here, using oval cell-like rat liver epithelial cells, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding protein HuR promotes GJIC through two mechanisms. First, HuR silencing lowered the levels of Cx43 protein and Cx43 messenger RNA (mRNA), and decreased Cx43 mRNA half-life. This regulation was likely due to the direct stabilization of Cx43 mRNA by HuR, because HuR associated directly with Cx43 mRNA, a transcript that bears signature adenylate-uridylate-rich (AU-rich) and uridylate-rich (U-rich) sequences in its 3,-untranslated region. Second, HuR silencing reduced both half-life and the levels of ,-catenin mRNA, also a target of HuR; accordingly, HuR silencing lowered the levels of whole-cell and membrane-associated ,-catenin. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed a direct interaction between ,-catenin and Cx43. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of ,-catenin recapitulated the effects of decreasing HuR levels: it attenuated GJIC, decreased Cx43 levels, and redistributed Cx43 to the cytoplasm, suggesting that depletion of ,-catenin in HuR-silenced cells contributed to lowering Cx43 levels at the membrane. Finally, HuR was demonstrated to support GJIC after exposure to a genotoxic agent, doxorubicin, or an inducer of differentiation processes, retinoic acid, thus pointing to a crucial role of HuR in the cellular response to stress and in physiological processes modulated by GJIC. Conclusion: HuR promotes gap junctional intercellular communication in rat liver epithelial cells through two related regulatory processes, by enhancing the expression of Cx43 and by increasing the expression of ,-catenin, which, in turn, interacts with Cx43 and is required for proper positioning of Cx43 at the plasma membrane. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.) [source] Irsogladine maleate counters the interleukin-1,-induced suppression in gap-junctional intercellular communication but does not affect the interleukin-1,-induced zonula occludens protein-1 levels in human gingival epithelial cellsJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008T. Fujita Background and Objective:, Irsogladine maleate counters gap junctional intercellular communication reduction induced by interleukin-8 or Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in cultured human gingival epithelial cells. Interleukin-1, is involved in periodontal disease. Little is known, however, about the effect of interleukin-1, on intercellular junctional complexes in human gingival epithelial cells. Furthermore, irsogladine maleate may affect the actions of interleukin-1,. In this study, we examined how interleukin-1, affected gap junctional intercellular communication, connexin 43 and zonula occludens protein-1, and how irsogladine maleate modulated the interleukin-1,-induced changes in the intercellular junctional complexes in human gingival epithelial cells. Material and Methods:, Human gingival epithelial cells were exposed to interleukin-1,, with or without irsogladine maleate. Connexin 43 and zonula occludens protein-1 were examined at mRNA and protein levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Gap junctional intercellular communication was determined using the dye transfer method. The expression of zonula occludens protein-1 was also confirmed by immunofluorescence. Results:, Interleukin-1, decreased connexin 43 mRNA levels, but increased zonula occludens protein-1 mRNA levels. Irsogladine maleate countered the interleukin-1,-induced reduction in gap junctional intercellular communication and connexin 43 levels. However, irsogladine maleate did not influence the increased zonula occludens protein-1 levels. Conclusion:, The effect of interleukin-1, on gap junctional intercellular communication and tight junctions of human gingival epithelial cells is different. The recovery of gap junctional intercellular communication by irsogladine maleate in the gingival epithelium may be a normal process in gingival epithelial homeostasis. [source] Reduced gap junctional intercellular communication and altered biological effects in mouse osteoblast and rat liver oval cell lines transfected with dominant-negative connexin 43MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 4 2003Brad L. Upham Abstract Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) maintains normal growth and differentiation of cells in a tissue. The intercellular molecules traversing gap junctions are largely unknown, but the molecular weight (MW) cutoff is normally 1200 Da. No differences in dye transfer were observed in normal or vector controls of WB-F344 rat liver epithelial or mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells with either Lucifer Yellow (LY) with a MW of 457 Da (LY-457) or LY with a MW of 649 Da (LY-649). Transfection of a dominant negative-connexin 43 (Cx43) gene decreased GJIC (>50%) when LY-649 was used, however, normal GJIC was observed in both cell lines when LY-457 was used. Therefore, the MW cut off in these clones was considerably less than the wild type. The dominant negative clones of the MC3T3-E1 cells exhibited over 90% less alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity and calcium deposition after the induction of differentiation. Similarly, dominant negative Cx43 inhibited gene expression of ALPase and bone sialoprotein but not osteocalcin in MC3T3-E1. WB-F344 cells normally exhibit a biphasic response to 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) where inhibition of GJIC recovers after 2 h, but the dominant negative clones showed no recovery from inhibition of GJIC by TPA. Dominant negative Cx43 also inhibited the formation of network-like structures by WB-F344 cells on Matrigel. These results demonstrate that the dominant negative gene transfected into cell types containing the wild-type connexins result in diminished channel sizes, thus allowing the determination of whether distinct biological endpoints, i.e., differentiation, are dependent upon either small or high MW intercellular signals. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Rotigaptide (ZP123) Improves Atrial Conduction Slowing in Chronic Volume Overload-Induced Dilated AtriaBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Ketil Haugan Rotigaptide (ZP123) is a selective gap junction modifier that increases cardiac gap junctional intercellular communication. We hypothesised that rotigaptide treatment would increase atrial conduction velocity and reduce the inducibility to atrial tachyarrhythmias in a model of chronic volume overload induced chronic atrial dilatation characterized by atrial conduction velocity slowing. Chronic volume overload was created in Japanese white rabbits by arterio-venous shunt formation. Atrial conduction velocity and atrial tachyarrhythmias inducibility were examined in Langendorff-perfused chronic volume overload hearts (n=12) using high-resolution optical mapping before and after treatment with rotigaptide. Moreover, expression levels of atrial gap junction proteins (connexin40 and connexin43) were examined in chronic volume overload hearts (n=6) and compared to sham-operated controls (n=6). Rotigaptide treatment significantly increased atrial conduction velocity in chronic volume overload hearts, however, rotigaptide did not decrease susceptibility to the induction of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Protein expressions of Cx40 and Cx43 were decreased by 32% and 72% (P<0.01), respectively, in chromic volume overload atria compared to control. To conclude, rotigaptide increased atrial conduction velocity in a rabbit model of chromic volume overload induced atrial conduction velocity slowing. The demonstrated effect of rotigaptide on atrial conduction velocity did not prevent atrial tachyarrhythmias inducibility. Whether rotigaptide may possess antiarrhythmic efficacy in other models of atrial fibrillation remains to be determined. [source] Disruption of gap junctions attenuates aminoglycoside-elicited renal tubular cell injuryBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Jian Yao BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Gap junctions play important roles in the regulation of cell phenotype and in determining cell survival after various insults. Here, we investigated the role of gap junctions in aminoglycoside-induced injury to renal tubular cells. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Two tubular epithelial cell lines NRK-E52 and LLC-PK1 were compared for gap junction protein expression and function by immunofluorescent staining, Western blot and dye transfer assay. Cell viability after exposure to aminoglycosides was evaluated by WST assay. Gap junctions were modulated by transfection of the gap junction protein, connexin 43 (Cx43), use of Cx43 siRNA and gap junction inhibitors. KEY RESULTS NRK-E52 cells expressed abundant Cx43 and were functionally coupled by gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Exposure of NRK-E52 cells to aminoglycosides, G418 and hygromycin, increased Cx43 phosphorylation and GJIC. The aminoglycosides also decreased cell viability that was prevented by gap junction inhibitors and Cx43 siRNA. LLC-PK1 cells were gap junction-deficient and resistant to aminoglycoside-induced cytotoxicity. Over-expression of a wild-type Cx43 converted LLC-PK1 cells to a drug-sensitive phenotype. The gap junction inhibitor ,-glycyrrhetinic acid (,-GA) activated Akt in NRK-E52 cells. Inhibition of the Akt pathway enhanced cell toxicity to G418 and abolished the protective effects of ,-GA. In addition, gentamycin-elicited cytotoxicity in NRK-E52 cells was also significantly attenuated by ,-GA. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Gap junctions contributed to the cytotoxic effects of aminoglycosides. Modulation of gap junctions could be a promising approach for prevention and treatment of aminoglycoside-induced renal tubular cell injury. [source] Heavy-ion-induced bystander killing of human lung cancer cells: Role of gap junctional intercellular communicationCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2009Kosaku Harada The aim of the present study was to clarify the mechanisms of cell death induced by heavy-ion irradiation focusing on the bystander effect in human lung cancer A549 cells. In microbeam irradiation, each of 1, 5, and 25 cells under confluent cell conditions was irradiated with 1, 5, or 10 particles of carbon ions (220 MeV), and then the surviving fraction of the population was measured by a clonogenic assay in order to investigate the bystander effect of heavy-ions. In this experiment, the limited number of cells (0.0001,0.002%, 5,25 cells) under confluent cell conditions irradiated with 5 or 10 carbon ions resulted in an exaggerated 8,14% increase in cell death by clonogenic assay. However, these overshooting responses were not observed under exponentially growing cell conditions. Furthermore, these responses were inhibited in cells treated with an inhibitor of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), whereas they were markedly enhanced by the addition of a stimulator of GJIC. The present results suggest that bystander cell killing by heavy-ions was induced mainly by direct cell-to-cell communication, such as GJIC, which might play important roles in bystander responses. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 684,688) [source] Cell permeabilization by poliovirus 2B viroporin triggers bystander permeabilization in neighbouring cells through a mechanism involving gap junctionsCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Vanesa Madan Summary Poliovirus 2B protein is a well-known viroporin implicated in plasma membrane permeabilization to ions and low-molecular-weight compounds during infection. Translation in mammalian cells expressing 2B protein is inhibited by hygromycin B (HB) but remains unaffected in mock cells, which are not permeable to the inhibitor. Here we describe a previously unreported bystander effect in which healthy baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells become sensitive to HB when co-cultured with a low proportion of cells expressing poliovirus 2B. Viroporins E from mouse hepatitis virus, 6K from Sindbis virus and NS4A protein from hepatitis C virus were also able to permeabilize neighbouring cells to different extents. Expression of 2B induced permeabilization of neighbouring cell lines other than BHK. We found that gap junctions are responsible mediating the observed bystander permeabilization. Gap junctional communication was confirmed in 2B-expressing co-cultures by fluorescent dye transfer. Moreover, the presence of connexin 43 was confirmed in both mock and 2B-transfected cells. Finally, inhibition of HB entry to neighbouring cells was observed with 18,-glycyrrhethinic acid, an inhibitor of gap junctions. Taken together, these findings support a mechanism involving gap junctional intercellular communication in the bystander permeabilization effect observed in healthy cells co-cultured with poliovirus 2B-expressing cells. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||