间隙连接蛋白43在舌黏膜癌变过程中的表达

目的 研究间隙连接蛋白43(connexin 43,Cx43)在口腔黏膜癌变过程中的表达变化,探寻其与口腔黏膜癌变的关系及意义.方法 用4亚基硝氧喹啉(4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide,4NQO)诱导SD大鼠口腔黏膜癌变,应用免疫组化方法检测Cx43在口腔黏膜癌变过程中各阶段的动态变化,分析Cx43与口腔黏膜癌变的关系.结果 Cx43蛋白主要表达于大鼠舌黏膜上皮细胞的胞膜、上皮基底层、棘层和颗粒层呈阳性染色,角质层未见表达.随着舌黏膜上皮异常增生程度的增加,Cx43的表达明显下降.在口腔鳞状细胞癌组织中,Cx43染色分布于癌细胞胞质以及鳞癌组织的角化珠内.Cx43在正常舌黏膜、轻度上皮异常增生、中度上皮异常增生、重度上皮异常增生、口腔鳞癌组织中阳性表达率分别为100.00％(10/10)、85.71％(12/14)、66.67％(8/12)、40.00％(4/10)、33.33％(4/12),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 4NQO诱发舌黏膜癌变的过程中,Cx43蛋白表达水平随病变程度加重而显著下降,提示Cx43表达异常参与了口腔黏膜的癌变过程.Cx43表达下降是口腔黏膜癌变的早期事件.     

Role of connexin 32 in acetaminophen toxicity in a knockout mice model

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), by which glutathione (GSH) and inorganic ions are transmitted to neighboring cells, is recognized as being largely involved in toxic processes of chemicals. We examined acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity clinicopathologically using male wild-type mice and mice lacking the gene for connexin32, a major gap junction protein in the liver [knockout (Cx32KO) mice]. When APAP was intraperitoneally administered at doses of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg, hepatic centrilobular necrosis with elevated plasma aminotransferase activities was observed in wild-type mice receiving 300 mg/kg, and in Cx32KO mice given 100 mg/kg or more. At 200 mg/kg or more, hepatic GSH and GSSG contents decreased significantly and the effect was more severe in wild-type mice than in Cx32KO mice. On the other hand, markedly decreased GSH staining was observed in the hepatic centrilobular zones of Cx32KO mice compared to that of wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that Cx32KO mice are more susceptible to APAP hepatotoxicity than wild-type mice, and indicate that the distribution of GSH of the centrilobular zones in the hepatic lobules, rather than GSH and GSSG contents in the liver, is important in APAP hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, Cx32 protects against APAP-induced hepatic centrilobular necrosis in mice, which may be through the GSH transmission to neighboring hepatocytes by GJIC.     

Ghrelin对大鼠心肌梗死后电重构的影响

目的 观察Ghrelin对大鼠心肌梗死后电重构的作用.方法 将65只SD大鼠随机分成假手术组(n=15)和心肌梗死组(n=50).假手术组开胸后剪开心包腔,不结扎冠状动脉.心肌梗死组大鼠结扎冠状动脉前降支制作心肌梗死模型.存活7d的大鼠随机分成Ghrelin干预组(n=17)和梗死对照组(n=17).Ghrelin干预组按Ghrelin 100 μg/kg的剂量皮下注射,2次/d.梗死对照组和假手术组皮下注射等量生理盐水.28 d后采用程控刺激进行在体电生理测定,采用免疫组化方法检测缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)的分布,免疫印迹法检测Cx43蛋白表达,实时定量PCR法检测Cx43 mRNA表达.结果 与梗死对照组相比,Ghrelin能显著降低室性心动过速(室速)的诱发率(P＜0.05),心律失常评分也显著降低(P＜0.05).与假手术组相比,梗死心肌内Cx43表达显著降低(P＜0.05),Ghrelin干预使梗死周边心肌Cx43及其mRNA水平增加(P＜0.05).结论 Ghrelin能改善心肌梗死后大鼠心脏的电生理学特性,增加心肌Cx43的表达,防止室性心律失常的发生,可能对心血管系统具有保护作用.     

失血性休克大鼠复苏前后胃Cajal 间质细胞及Cx43的变化

目的：探讨失血性休克复苏前后大鼠胃Cajal间质细胞及间隙连接蛋白Connexin 43（Cx43）的变化。方法：SD大鼠随机均分为对照组与实验组。对照组大鼠行假手术;实验组大鼠通过放血制作失血性休克模型,维持休克状态1 h后行液体复苏。分别于休克1 h和复苏治疗后3,6,12,24 h取大鼠胃组织于电镜下观察Cajal细胞超微结构;免疫荧光染色及Western blot检测Cx43的表达。结果：电镜显示实验组休克1 h时Cajal细胞水肿、核皱缩、基膜破坏;复苏治疗后3,6 h无明显变化,12 h时结构开始逐渐恢复,至24 h Cajal细胞恢至接近对照组状态。免疫荧光染色发现实验组Cx43荧光强度于休克1 h明显减弱,但从复苏治疗后逐渐升高,至24 h基本接近对照组。Western blot法显示Cx43蛋白表达量变化与免疫荧光染色结果相一致。结论：失血性休克能导致Cajal细胞损伤与Cx43表达减少,两者改变所造成细胞间信息传递缺陷可能是失血性休克时胃肠道动力障碍的重要原因之一。     

Aberrant trafficking of a Leu89Pro connexin32 mutant associated with X-linked dominant Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease

Objective: To determine the functional abnormalities of the Leu89Pro mutation in connexin32 (CX32), which we have previously reported is present within an X-linked dominant Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease family. In this family, male patients were moderately to severely affected.

Methods: We performed immunofluorescence to investigate whether the Leu89Pro CX32 protein was transported to the cell membrane in HeLa and Schwann cells. First, we constructed the eukaryotic express plasmids expressing CX32 (wild-type or Leu89Pro) and enhanced green fluorescent protein by the gene recombination technology. Then the recombinant plasmids were transiently transfected into communication-incompetent HeLa cells and human Schwann cells by the lipofectamine method. Later, we double-labeled cells for both CX32 and markers of the ER (calnexin) or the Golgi (58-kDa protein) at 24 h or 48 h. The images were collected using a Leica TCS SP5 II confocal microscope.

Results: The mutant CX32 protein was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and failed to reach the cell membrane to form gap junctions.

Conclusion: Our results indicated that the Leu89Pro substitution in the second transmembrane domain of CX32 disrupts the trafficking of the protein, inhibiting the assembly of CX32 gap junctions, which in turn may result in peripheral neuropathy. This functional abnormality may explain the moderate to severe phenotype seen in Leu89Pro patients, and as such represents a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of this subset of CMTX patients.     

连接蛋白43在骨关节炎发病机制中的研究进展

骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)是常见的关节疾病,也是导致残疾的主要原因之一,给患者及家庭带来巨大的经济生活负担。虽然OA的发病机制至今尚未完全明确,但关节软骨代谢平衡的破坏被认为与骨关节炎的发生息息相关。研究发现连接蛋白43(connexin43)在维持关节软骨代谢平衡的稳态中发挥着至关重要的作用,它所参与形成的半通道(hemichannels)和缝隙连接(gap junctions)在细胞与细胞外基质,以及细胞之间建立起直接的物质信号交换通道。同时,连接蛋白43的高表达和(或)分布的变化都将影响软骨细胞结构和功能的完整性。因此,连接蛋白43被认为与骨关节炎的发生有着密切关系。本文就连接蛋白43与骨关节炎发病机制的研究进展做一综述。     

Mechanism of Regulatory Effect of MicroRNA-206 on Connexin 43 in Distant Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Background:

MicroRNA-206 (miR-206) and connexin 43 (Cx43) are related with the distant metastasis of breast cancer. It remains unclear whether the regulatory effect of miR-206 on Cx43 is involved in metastasis of breast cancer.

Methods:

Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, the expressions of miR-206 and Cx43 were determined in breast cancer tissues, hepatic and pulmonary metastasis (PM), and cell lines (MCF-10A, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231). MCF-7/MDA-M-231 cells were transfected with lentivirus-shRNA vectors to enhance/inhibit miR-206, and then Cx43 expression was observed. Cell counting kit-8 assay and Transwell method were used to detect their changes in proliferation, migration, and invasion activity. The mutant plasmids of Cx43-3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) at position 478–484 and position 1609–1615 were constructed. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to observe the effects of miR-206 on luciferase expression of different mutant plasmids and to confirm the potential binding sites of Cx43.

Results:

Cx43 protein expression in hepatic and PM was significantly higher than that in the primary tumor, while no significant difference was showed in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. MiR-206 mRNA expression in hepatic and PM was significantly lower than that in the primary tumor. Cx43 mRNA and protein levels, as well as cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities, were all significantly improved in MDA-MB-231 cells after reducing miR-206 expression but decreased in MCF-7 cells after elevating miR-206 expression, which demonstrated a significantly negative correlation between miR-206 and Cx43 expression (P = 0.03). MiR-206 can drastically decrease Cx43 expression of MCF-7 cells but exerts no effects on Cx43 expression in 293 cells transfected with the Cx43 coding region but the lack of Cx43-3’UTR, suggesting that Cx43-3’UTR may be the key in Cx43 regulated by miR-206. Luciferase expression showed that the inhibition efficiency was reduced by 46.80% in position 478–484 mutant, 16.72% in position 1609–1615 mutant; the inhibition was totally disappeared in double mutant (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

MiR-206 can regulate the expression of Cx43, the cytobiological activity, and the metastasis of breast cancer through binding to the two binding sites in Cx43-3’UTR: position 478–484 and position 1609–1615.     

Connexin 43 upregulation in burns promotes burn conversion through spread of apoptotic death signals

BackgroundBurn wounds continue to worsen after initial injury in a process known as burn conversion, which lasts about 3–5 days. It causes burn wounds to enlarge and deepen, leading to greater morbidity. Apoptosis is one of the factors contributing to the conversion of the zone of stasis into the zone of coagulation. Suppression of apoptosis has been associated with reducing burn conversion. Connexin 43 (Cx43) gap junctions facilitate the spread of apoptotic signals from dying cells to healthy neighbouring cells in injured tissues through the bystander effect.ObjectivesThe study is to understand the role of Cx43 in burn conversion.MethodsIn our study, 15 burn tissue samples were arranged into three groups as early (beginning of burn conversion), intermediate (extensive burn conversion) and late (established burn conversion) burns.ResultsWe found a striking increase in the amount of Cx43 protein expressed in the dermal fibroblasts (identified with heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) staining) in the zone of stasis in early and intermediate burns. These dermal fibroblasts also express high levels of cleaved-Caspase 3 indicating on-going apoptosis.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that elevation of Cx43 may play an active role in burn conversion spreading apoptosis in the early and intermediate burn wound.     

七氟醚对低温全心缺血-再灌注心脏电传导及Cx43 Ser368磷酸化的影响

目的 观察七氟醚对低温全心缺血-再灌注心室肌电传导及Cx43 Ser368磷酸化的影响。
方法 制备成功的离体灌注工作心脏24只,随机分为三组：对照组（C组）、低温全心缺血-再灌注组（IR组）和1.0 MAC七氟醚处理组（Sev组）,每组8只。C组：37 ℃ K-H液平衡灌注15 min后继续灌注37 ℃ K-H液105 min;IR组：37 ℃ K-H液平衡灌注15 min后继续灌注37 ℃ K-H液15 min,注射Thomas液（4 ℃,20 ml/kg）使心脏停搏60 min,4 ℃ K-H液保护心脏,停搏30 min时半量复灌Thomas液（4 ℃,10 ml/kg）,60 min时使用37 ℃ K-H液再灌注30 min;Sev组：37 ℃ K-H液平衡灌注15 min后继续灌注含饱和1.0 MAC七氟醚的37 ℃ K-H液15 min,注射Thomas液（4 ℃,20 ml/kg）使心脏停搏60 min,4 ℃ K-H液保护心脏,停搏30 min时半量复灌Thomas液（4 ℃,10 ml/kg）,60 min时使用含饱和1.0 MAC七氟醚的37 ℃ K-H液再灌注30 min。于再灌注即刻至灌注结束,记录离体心脏复跳时间（再灌注即刻至心脏首次跳动所需的时间）,室性心律失常（室性早搏、室性心动过速、室性颤动）发生情况和持续时间。采用心脏刺激仪行程控刺激,测定并记录有效不应期（ERP）、传导速度(CV）。采用免疫印迹法检测心室肌组织Cx43和Cx43 Ser368蛋白相对含量。
结果 与C组比较,IR组和Sev组ERP明显延长,CV明显减慢（P＜0.05）;IR组Cx43及Cx43 Ser368蛋白相对含量明显降低（P＜0.05）。与IR组比较,Sev组心脏复跳时间明显缩短,心律失常发生率明显降低,心律失常持续时间明显缩短,ERP明显缩短,CV明显增快,Cx43及Cx43 Ser368蛋白相对含量明显升高（P＜0.05）。
结论 七氟醚可以上调低温全心缺血-再灌注心室肌组织Cx43和Cx43 Ser368的表达,促使心室肌电传导增快、有效不应期缩短,降低再灌注心律失常的发生。