Expression and localization of pannexin‐1 hemichannels in human colon in health and disease

• Published in: Neurogastroenterology and motility 2013-06, Vol.25 (6), p.e395-e405
• Main Authors: Diezmos, E. F., Sandow, S. L., Markus, I., Shevy Perera, D., Lubowski, D. Z., King, D. W., Bertrand, P. P., Liu, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Colitis, Ulcerative - genetics; Colitis, Ulcerative - metabolism; Colon - metabolism; Connexins - genetics; Connexins - metabolism; Crohn Disease - genetics; Crohn Disease - metabolism; Crohn's disease; Down-Regulation; Female; human colon; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth - metabolism; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; pannexin‐1; ulcerative colitis
• ISSN: 1350-1925; 1365-2982
• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12130

Background Pannexin‐1 (Panx1) proteins can function as channels for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release, but there have been limited studies investigating their potential role in the human intestine. The aim of this study was to characterize Panx1 expression and distribution in the human colon and its potential involvement in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Methods Human colon segments were dissected into mucosa and muscularis layers, and evaluated for Panx1 expression by real‐time PCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to localize the cellular distribution of Panx1 in intact tissues. Key Results In the colonic muscularis of ulcerative colitis (UC), Panx1 mRNA expression showed a 3.5‐fold reduction compared with control (P = 0.0015), but no change was seen in UC mucosa. In contrast, down‐regulation of Panx1 mRNA was observed in both muscularis and mucosa of Crohn's disease (CD), showing a 2.7‐ and 1.8‐fold reduction, respectively (P