Role of connexin43 in central nervous system injury

Gap junctions are specialized cell-to-cell contacts that provide direct intercellular communication. In the central nervous system (CNS), gap junction coupling occurs between both neurons and glial cells. One of the most abundant gap junction proteins in the CNS is connexin43 (Cx43). The functional...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental neurology 2010-10, Vol.225 (2), p.250-261
Main Authors: Chew, Shenton S.L., Johnson, Cameron S., Green, Colin R., Danesh-Meyer, Helen V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Astrocytes - metabolism
Biological and medical sciences
Connexin 43 - metabolism
Gap junctions
Gap Junctions - metabolism
Humans
Injuries of the nervous system and the skull. Diseases due to physical agents
Ischemia
Medical sciences
Neurons - metabolism
Neuroprotection
Trauma
Trauma, Nervous System - metabolism
Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
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Summary:Gap junctions are specialized cell-to-cell contacts that provide direct intercellular communication. In the central nervous system (CNS), gap junction coupling occurs between both neurons and glial cells. One of the most abundant gap junction proteins in the CNS is connexin43 (Cx43). The functional syncytium formed by astrocytes via Cx43 gap junction intercellular communication has, for example, been implicated in maintaining the homeostasis of the extracellular milieu of neurons. In particular, astrocytes are involved in the spatial buffering of many ions, signalling molecules and energy sources. In this review, the role of Cx43 following CNS injury is examined by combining evidence surrounding the response of Cx43 to CNS injury and the effects of Cx43 gap junction blockade on neuronal survival in various models of injury. Combined evidence suggests that transient blockade targeting the window of initial Cx43 upregulation observed following injury is potentially therapeutic.
ISSN:0014-4886
1090-2430
DOI:10.1016/j.expneurol.2010.07.014