Patterns of cell-cell coupling in embryonic spinal cord studied via ballistic delivery of gap-junction-permeable dyes

2004 ◽  
Vol 477 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin S. Bittman ◽  
Jessica A. Panzer ◽  
Rita J. Balice-Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Cell Coupling ◽  
Embryonic Spinal Cord ◽  
Cell Cell

scholarly journals Remodeling of Cardiac Gap Junctional Cell–Cell Coupling

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2422
Author(s):  
Stefan Dhein ◽  
Aida Salameh
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Conduction System ◽  
Cell Coupling ◽  
Connexin Expression ◽  
Gap Junction Channels ◽  
Developmental States ◽  
Gap Junction Channel ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Substrate ◽  
Cell Cell

The heart works as a functional syncytium, which is realized via cell-cell coupling maintained by gap junction channels. These channels connect two adjacent cells, so that action potentials can be transferred. Each cell contributes a hexameric hemichannel (=connexon), formed by protein subuntis named connexins. These hemichannels dock to each other and form the gap junction channel. This channel works as a low ohmic resistor also allowing the passage of small molecules up to 1000 Dalton. Connexins are a protein family comprising of 21 isoforms in humans. In the heart, the main isoforms are Cx43 (the 43 kDa connexin; ubiquitous), Cx40 (mostly in atrium and specific conduction system), and Cx45 (in early developmental states, in the conduction system, and between fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes). These gap junction channels are mainly located at the polar region of the cardiomyocytes and thus contribute to the anisotropic pattern of cardiac electrical conductivity. While in the beginning the cell–cell coupling was considered to be static, similar to an anatomically defined structure, we have learned in the past decades that gap junctions are also subject to cardiac remodeling processes in cardiac disease such as atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, or cardiomyopathy. The underlying remodeling processes include the modulation of connexin expression by e.g., angiotensin, endothelin, or catecholamines, as well as the modulation of the localization of the gap junctions e.g., by the direction and strength of local mechanical forces. A reduction in connexin expression can result in a reduced conduction velocity. The alteration of gap junction localization has been shown to result in altered pathways of conduction and altered anisotropy. In particular, it can produce or contribute to non-uniformity of anisotropy, and thereby can pre-form an arrhythmogenic substrate. Interestingly, these remodeling processes seem to be susceptible to certain pharmacological treatment.

Oligodendrocyte progenitors in the embryonic spinal cord express DM-20

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Dickinson ◽  
M. L. Fanarraga ◽  
I. R. Griffiths ◽  
J. M. Barrie ◽  
E. Kyriakides ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Oligodendrocyte Progenitors ◽  
Embryonic Spinal Cord

scholarly journals Transforming growth factor-β1-induced N-cadherin drives cell–cell communication through connexin43 in osteoblast lineage

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueyi Yang ◽  
Wenjing Liu ◽  
JieYa Wei ◽  
Yujia Cui ◽  
Demao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β1 ◽  
Cx43 Expression ◽  
Mc3t3 Cell ◽  
Primary Osteoblasts ◽  
Tgf Β1 ◽  
Cell Cell

AbstractGap junction (GJ) has been indicated to have an intimate correlation with adhesion junction. However, the direct interaction between them partially remains elusive. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the role of N-cadherin, one of the core components in adhesion junction, in mediating connexin 43, one of the functional constituents in gap junction, via transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) induction in osteoblasts. We first elucidated the expressions of N-cadherin induced by TGF-β1 and also confirmed the upregulation of Cx43, and the enhancement of functional gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) triggered by TGF-β1 in both primary osteoblasts and MC3T3 cell line. Colocalization analysis and Co-IP experimentation showed that N-cadherin interacts with Cx43 at the site of cell–cell contact. Knockdown of N-cadherin by siRNA interference decreased the Cx43 expression and abolished the promoting effect of TGF-β1 on Cx43. Functional GJICs in living primary osteoblasts and MC3T3 cell line were also reduced. TGF-β1-induced increase in N-cadherin and Cx43 was via Smad3 activation, whereas knockdown of Smad3 signaling by using siRNA decreased the expressions of both N-cadherin and Cx43. Overall, these data indicate the direct interactions between N-cadherin and Cx43, and reveal the intervention of adhesion junction in functional gap junction in living osteoblasts.

scholarly journals Apoptosis in metanephric development.

1992 ◽  
Vol 119 (5) ◽  
pp. 1327-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Koseki ◽  
D Herzlinger ◽  
Q al-Awqati
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Phorbol Esters ◽  
Dna Degradation ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Metanephric Mesenchyme ◽  
Embryonic Spinal Cord

During metanephric development, non-polarized mesenchymal cells are induced to form the epithelial structures of the nephron following interaction with extracellular matrix proteins and factors produced by the inducing tissue, ureteric bud. This induction can occur in a transfilter organ culture system where it can also be produced by heterologous cells such as the embryonic spinal cord. We found that when embryonic mesenchyme was induced in vitro and in vivo, many of the cells surrounding the new epithelium showed morphological evidence of programmed cell death (apoptosis) such as condensed nuclei, fragmented cytoplasm, and cell shrinking. A biochemical correlate of apoptosis is the transcriptional activation of a calcium-sensitive endonuclease. Indeed, DNA isolated from uninduced mesenchyme showed progressive degradation, a process that was prevented by treatment with actinomycin-D or cycloheximide and by buffering intracellular calcium. These results demonstrate that the metanephric mesenchyme is programmed for apoptosis. Incubation of mesenchyme with a heterologous inducer, embryonic spinal cord prevented this DNA degradation. To investigate the mechanism by which inducers prevented apoptosis we tested the effects of protein kinase C modulators on this process. Phorbol esters mimicked the effects of the inducer and staurosporine, an inhibitor of this protein kinase, prevented the effect of the inducer. EGF also prevented DNA degradation but did not lead to differentiation. These results demonstrate that conversion of mesenchyme to epithelial requires at least two steps, rescue of the mesenchyme from apoptosis and induction of differentiation.

scholarly journals Microglia Proliferation Is Controlled by P2X7 Receptors in a Pannexin-1-Independent Manner during Early Embryonic Spinal Cord Invasion

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (34) ◽  
pp. 11559-11573 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Rigato ◽  
N. Swinnen ◽  
R. Buckinx ◽  
I. Couillin ◽  
J.-M. Mangin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
P2x7 Receptors ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Pannexin 1 ◽  
Embryonic Spinal Cord

scholarly journals Olig2-positive progenitors in the embryonic spinal cord give rise not only to motoneurons and oligodendrocytes, but also to a subset of astrocytes and ependymal cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 293 (2) ◽  
pp. 358-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noritaka Masahira ◽  
Hirohide Takebayashi ◽  
Katsuhiko Ono ◽  
Keisuke Watanabe ◽  
Lei Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Ependymal Cells ◽  
Embryonic Spinal Cord
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