防治血管再狭窄的新靶点——缝隙连接蛋白43

缝隙连接是介导相邻细胞间离子和小分子信号物质直接交换的跨膜通道,血管平滑肌细胞中主要表达连接蛋白43(connexin43,CX43)。研究表明,CX43表达上调与平滑肌细胞的增殖、迁移及细胞外基质生成密切相关,促使血管损伤后新内膜生成,引起血管再狭窄,提示CX43可能成为血管性疾病治疗的新靶点。本文综述CX43与血管再狭窄之间关系及以CX43为靶点的药物和基因治疗的研究进展。

Connexin43:a new potential therapeutic target in restenosis

Gap junctions are clusters of transmembrane channels that mediate direct exchange of ions and small signaling molecules between adjacent cells.The major gap junction protein expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is connexin43 (CX43).Upregulation of CX43 is closely associated with migration,proliferation of VSMCs and synthesis of extracellular matrix,which lead to neointimal formation after vascular injury,and result in the development of restenosis.Studies suggested that CX43 might be a new target for treating restenosis.The relationship between CX43 and restenosis and advances in the study of new therapy strategies based on CX43 were reviewed in this article.