Role of connexin 43 in different forms of intercellular communication – gap junctions, extracellular vesicles and tunnelling nanotubes

2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (21) ◽  
pp. 3619-3630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa M. Ribeiro-Rodrigues ◽  
Tânia Martins-Marques ◽  
Sandrine Morel ◽  
Brenda R. Kwak ◽  
Henrique Girão
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Communication Gap

Connexin 43 ubiquitination determines the fate of gap junctions: restrict to survive

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa M. Ribeiro-Rodrigues ◽  
Steve Catarino ◽  
Maria J. Pinho ◽  
Paulo Pereira ◽  
Henrique Girao
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Gap Junction ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Transmembrane Proteins ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Gap Junction Intercellular Communication

Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins that form channels which allow direct intercellular communication (IC) between neighbouring cells via gap junctions. Mechanisms that modulate the amount of channels at the plasma membrane have emerged as important regulators of IC and their de-regulation has been associated with various diseases. Although Cx-mediated IC can be modulated by different mechanisms, ubiquitination has been described as one of the major post-translational modifications involved in Cx regulation and consequently IC. In this review, we focus on the role of ubiquitin and its effect on gap junction intercellular communication.

Role of FSH and triiodothyronine in Sertoli cell development expressed by formation of connexin 43-based gap junctions

2011 ◽  
Vol 315A (6) ◽  
pp. 329-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Marchlewska ◽  
Krzysztof Kula ◽  
Renata Walczak-Jedrzejowska ◽  
Elzbieta Oszukowska ◽  
Eliza Filipiak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gap Junctions ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Cell Development

Zika virus hijacks extracellular vesicle tetraspanin pathways for cell-to-cell transmission

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara B. York ◽  
Li Sun ◽  
Allaura S. Cone ◽  
Leanne C. Duke ◽  
Mujeeb R. Cheerathodi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Enhanced Production ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Encapsulated Structures

ABSTRACTExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-encapsulated structures released by cells which carry signaling factors, proteins and microRNAs that mediate intercellular communication. Accumulating evidence supports an important role of EVs in the progression of neurological conditions and both the spread and pathogenesis of infectious diseases. It has recently been demonstrated that EVs from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals and cells contained replicative-competent viral RNA that was capable of infecting hepatocytes. Being a member of the same viral family, it is likely the Zika virus also hijacks EV pathways to package viral components and secrete vesicles that are infectious and potentially less immunogenic. As EVs have been shown to cross blood-brain and placental barriers, it is possible that Zika virus could usurp normal EV biology to gain access to the brain or developing fetus. Here, we demonstrate that Zika virus infected cells secrete distinct EV sub-populations with specific viral protein profiles and infectious genomes. Zika virus infection resulted in the enhanced production of EVs with varying sizes and density compared to those released from non-infected cells. We also show that the EV enriched tetraspanin CD63 regulates the release of EVs, and Zika viral genomes and capsids following infection. Overall, these findings provide evidence for an alternative means of Zika virus transmission and demonstrate the role of EV biogenesis and trafficking proteins in the modulation of Zika infection.ImportanceZika virus is a re-emerging infectious disease that spread rapidly across the Caribbean and South America. Infection of pregnant women during the first trimester has been linked to microcephaly, a neurological condition where babies are born with smaller heads due to abnormal brain development. Babies born with microcephaly can develop convulsions and suffer disabilities as they age. Despite the significance of Zika virus, little is known about how the virus infects the fetus or causes disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-encapsulated structures released by cells that are present in all biological fluids. EVs carry signaling factors, proteins and microRNAs that mediate intercellular communication. EVs have been shown to be a means by which some viruses can alter cellular environments and cross previously unpassable cellular barriers. Thus gaining a greater understanding of how Zika affects EV cargo may aid in the development of better diagnostics, targeted therapeutics and prophylactic treatments.

Extracellular vesicles, stem cells and the role of miRNAs in neurodegeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayaz M. Belkozhayev ◽  
Minnatallah Al-Yozbaki ◽  
Alex George ◽  
Raigul Ye Niyazova ◽  
Kamalidin O. Sharipov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
The Body ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Crucial Information

There are different modalities of intercellular communication governed by cellular homeostasis. In this review, we will explore one of these forms of communication called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These vesicles are released by all cells in the body and are heterogeneous in nature. The primary function of EVs is to share information through their cargo consisting of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, dsDNA etc.) with other cells, which have a direct consequence on their microenvironment. We will focus on the role of EVs of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the nervous system and how these participate in intercellular communication to maintain physiological function and provide neuroprotection. However, deregulation of this same communication system could play a role in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, prion disease and Huntington’s disease. The release of EVs from a cell provides crucial information to what is happening inside the cell and thus could be used in diagnostics and therapy. We will discuss and explore new avenues for the clinical applications of using engineered MSC-EVs and their potential therapeutic benefit in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

scholarly journals Emerging role of extracellular vesicles in the regulation of skeletal muscle adaptation

2019 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 645-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan J. Vechetti
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Muscle Adaptation ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Isolation Methods

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were initially characterized as “garbage bags” with the purpose of removing unwanted material from cells. It is now becoming clear that EVs mediate intercellular communication between distant cells through a transfer of genetic material, a process important to the systemic adaptation in physiological and pathological conditions. Although speculative, it has been suggested that the majority of EVs that make it into the bloodstream would be coming from skeletal muscle, since it is one of the largest organs in the human body. Although it is well established that skeletal muscle secretes peptides (currently known as myokines) into the bloodstream, the notion that skeletal muscle releases EVs is in its infancy. Besides intercellular communication and systemic adaptation, EV release could represent the mechanism by which muscle adapts to certain stimuli. This review summarizes the current understanding of EV biology and biogenesis and current isolation methods and briefly discusses the possible role EVs have in regulating skeletal muscle mass.

scholarly journals Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 4813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevindzh Kletukhina ◽  
Olga Neustroeva ◽  
Victoria James ◽  
Albert Rizvanov ◽  
Marina Gomzikova
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
New Evidence

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that takes place during embryonic development, wound healing, and under some pathological processes, including fibrosis and tumor progression. The molecular changes occurring within epithelial cells during transformation to a mesenchymal phenotype have been well studied. However, to date, the mechanism of EMT induction remains to be fully elucidated. Recent findings in the field of intercellular communication have shed new light on this process and indicate the need for further studies into this important mechanism. New evidence supports the hypothesis that intercellular communication between mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSCs) and resident epithelial cells plays an important role in EMT induction. Besides direct interactions between cells, indirect paracrine interactions by soluble factors and extracellular vesicles also occur. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication, through the transfer of biologically active molecules, genetic material (mRNA, microRNA, siRNA, DNA), and EMT inducers to the target cells, which are capable of reprogramming recipient cells. In this review, we discuss the role of intercellular communication by EVs to induce EMT and the acquisition of stemness properties by normal and tumor epithelial cells.

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