Altered dye diffusion and upregulation of connexin37 in mouse aortic endothelium deficient in connexin40

Olaf Krüger, Jean-Louis Bény, Fabienne Chabaud, Otto Traub, Martin Theis, Klaudia Brix, Susanne Kirchhoff, Klaus Willecke

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Connexin40 (Cx40), connexin37 (Cx37) and connexin43 (Cx43) are subunit proteins of gap junction channels in the vascular wall which are presumably involved in the propagation of vasomotor signals. In this study we have investigated in Cx40-deficient versus wild-type aortic endothelium to which extent loss of Cx40 impairs intercellular communication. We show in Cx40-deficient mice that expression of both Cx37 and Cx43 protein was increased approximately 3- and 2-fold over the level in wild-type endothelium, respectively. Furthermore, Cx37 immunosignals were distributed more homogeneously on contacting plasma membranes in Cx40-deficient versus with wild-type endothelium. Cx43 was not detected in endothelium but only in smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall. Iontophoretic injection of Lucifer Yellow or neurobiotin into aortic endothelium of Cx40-deficient mice showed extensive intercellular transfer of neurobiotin but not of Lucifer Yellow. In contrast, intercellular spreading of Lucifer Yellow was observed in endothelium of wild-type aorta. As shown by electron microscopy, gap junctions in Cx40-deficient endothelium were morphologically different from those of wild-type vessels. These results demonstrate that dye diffusibility of endothelial gap junctions is different in Cx40-deficient and wild-type mice, although Cx40-deficient mice retain the capability of intercellular communication. Apparently, Cx40-deficient endothelial cells upregulate and redistribute Cx37 as a molecular adaptation to the lack of Cx40.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)160-72
    Number of pages13
    JournalJournal of Vascular Research
    Volume39
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 16 May 2002

    Bibliographical note

    Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

    Keywords

    • Animals
    • Aorta
    • Biotin
    • Cell Communication
    • Coloring Agents
    • Connexin 43
    • Connexins
    • Diffusion
    • Endothelium, Vascular
    • Gap Junctions
    • Gene Expression
    • Iontophoresis
    • Isoquinolines
    • Mice
    • Mice, Inbred C57BL
    • Microscopy, Electron
    • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Altered dye diffusion and upregulation of connexin37 in mouse aortic endothelium deficient in connexin40'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this