Downregulation of Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase 1 in the process of delayed myocardialization of cardiac proximal outflow tract septum in connexin 43 knockout mice embryo

Background  The connexin43 knockout (Cx43 KO) mouse dies at birth with an enlarged conotruncal region, which leads to the obstruction of the right outflow tract (OFT). Since myocardialization of the proximal OFT septum is one of the key events during heart development, we investigated the process in the Cx43 KO embryo hearts. Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), is a recently found key molecule to regulate the myocardialization of OFT, but its spatiotemporal expression pattern during myocardialization remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the differentially expressed pattern of ROCK1 between Cx43 KO and wild type embryo hearts, and its relationship with the delayed myocardialization in Cx43 KO embryo hearts.

Methods  Using immunohistochemistry, the processes of myocardiolization were investigated both in Cx43 KO and wild type embryo hearts. The differentially expressed pattern of ROCK1 between Cx43 KO and wildtype embryo hearts was evaluated both at the mRNA and protein level by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Results  The expression of α-sarcomeric actin (α-SCA) in the proximal OFT septum of Cx43 KO embryos was delayed. Meanwhile, it was shown that the downregulation of ROCK1 coincided with delayed myocardialization. The expression of ROCK1 protein was mainly limited to the proximal outflow tract septum from embryo day (E) E11.5 to E15.5. Its expression pattern was similar with that of α-SCA. Real-time RT-PCR found that the expression level of Rock-1 mRNA began at a low level on E11.5 and reached peak at E13.5 and E14.5.

Conclusions  ROCK1 may have an important role in the process of myocardialization of the proximal OFT septum. Downregulation of ROCK1 is likely to contribute to the aberrant myocardialization in Cx43 KO embryo hearts.

     

The relationship between gap junctional remodeling and human atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently the most common cardiac tachyarrhythmia in clinical practice. AF has a tendency to become more persistent over time. Progression of an underlying disease is one explanation. Another possible explanation is electrical, structural, and gap junctional remodeling of the atrium by repetitive induction of AF. The expression level and distribution of it have close relation with the conduction velocity of electrical activation in the atrium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the alternations of the expression and distribution of ( connexin 40, Cx 40) and ( connexin 43, Cx 43) in the fight atrial appendages of the patients with AF by laser confocal scanning microscopy and Western blot technique.     

The relationship between gap junctional remodeling and human atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently the most common cardiac tachyarrhythmia in clinical practice. AF has a tendency to become more persistent over time. Progression of an underlying disease is one explanation. Another possible explanation is electrical, structural, and gap junctional remodeling of the atrium by repetitive induction of AF.1 The expression level and distribution of it have close relation with the conduction velocity of electrical activation in the atrium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the alternations of the expression and distribution of (connexin 40, Cx 40) and (connexin 43, Cx 43) in the right atrial appendages of the patients with AF by laser confocal scanning microscopy and Western blot technique.     

Connexin 43 remodeling induced by LMNA gene mutation Glu82Lys in familial dilated cardiomyopathy with atrial ventricular block

Background Mutations in the lamin A/C gene （LMNA） may cause familial dilated cardiomyopathy （dilated cardiomyopathy） characterized by early onset atrio-ventricular block （A-V block） before the manifestation of dilated cardiomyopathy and high risk of sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmia, which is very similar to the phenotype of gap junction related heart disease. This study aimed to determine the expression and localization of connexins in neonatal myocytes transfected with wild-type （WT） or mutant LMNA to elucidate how these mutations cause heart diseases. Methods We studied the connexin 43 （Cx43） and connexin 40 （Cx40） expression in cultured neonatal myocytes transfected with wild-type （WT） or mutant LMNA （Glu82Lys （E82K） and Arg644Cys （R644C）） using confocal imaging and Western blotting analysis. Results Cx43 protein expression was reduced by 40% in cells transfected with LMNA E82K than that in cells transfected with WT LMNA cDNA. Confocal imaging showed that the Cx43 located inside the cells by LMNA E82K. By contrast, LMNA E82K mutation had no effect on expression and localization of Cx40. LMNA R644C transfection did not show any significant effects on gap junctions at all. Conclusions Our findings suggest that LMNA E82K significantly reduced the Cx43 expression and altered its localization which may be one of the pathological mechanisms underlying LMNA-related heart disease.     

Atorvastatin prevents connexin43 remodeling in hypertrophied left ventricular myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background  Connexin43 (Cx43) is the predominant gap junction protein in heart and is involved in the control of cell-to-cell communication to modulate the contractility and the electrical coupling of cardiac myocytes. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is accompanied by changes of Cx43 expression. Recent studies have demonstrated that statins reduced cardiac hypertrophy. However, it is unknown whether statins can affect Cx43 expression in hypertrophied left ventricular myocardium. This study was designed to assess the effects of atorvastatin on LV hypertrophy and Cx43 expression in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
Methods  Nine-week old SHRs were randomly divided into two groups. Some received atorvastatin at 30 mg/kg by oral gavage once daily for 8 weeks (SHR-A); others received vehicle. Age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) received atorvastatin or vehicle for 8 weeks were used as controls. At the end of the experiment, we investigated LV hypertrophy and the expression of Cx43 in LV myocardium in four groups. Cx43 expression was investigated by the methods of Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscope. LV hypertrophy was accessed by pathological analysis and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level.
Results  LV hypertrophy was prominent in untreated SHR. In SHR, LV myocardium Cx43 level was upregulated, and the distribution of Cx43 was displaced from their usual locations to other sites at various distances away from the intercalated disks. After atorvastatin treatment, myocardium Cx43 level was reduced in SHR-A, and the distribution of Cx43 gap junction became much regular and confined to intercalated disk. Statins also prevented LV hypertrophy in SHR.
Conclusions  These results provide novel in vivo evidence for the key role of Cx43 gap junctions in LV hypertrophy and the possible mechanism in anti-hypertrophic effect of statins. Atorvastatin treatment may have beneficial effects on LV hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

     

Involvement of connexin 43 in acupuncture analgesia

Background Connexin 43 （Cx43） is one of the major components of human keratinocyte gap junctions. To study whether gap junctional intercellular communication participates in the transfer of acupoint signals and acupuncture analgesia, the expression of Cx43 was studied in Zusanli （ST36） acupoints compared with control non-acupoint regions in rats after acupuncture. In addition, Cx43 heterozygous gene knockout mice were used to further explore the relationship between Cx43 and acupuncture analgesia.
Methods The expression of Cx43 was detected by immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and RT-PCR for the Cx43 protein and mRNA. The influence of the Cx43 gene knockout on acupuncture analgesia was measured by a hot plate and observing the writhing response on Cx43 heterozygous gene knockout mice. Results Immunohistochemistry showed abundant Cx43 expression in some cells in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of rat ST36 acupoints. The mRNA and protein levels of Cx43 in acupoints were significantly higher than those in the control points in the non-acupuncture group, and even more so after acupuncture. The hot plate and writhing response experiments showed that partial knockout of the Cx43 gene decreased acupuncture analgesia. Conclusion Cx43 expression and acupuncture analgesia showed a positive correlation.     

Expression of Connexin43 in Rat Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts

To explore the role of connexin43 (Cx43) in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and propagated sensation along meridians, the expression of Cx43 in the rat epithelial cellsand fibroblasts was studied both in vitro and in vivo. With the in vitro study, the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts were cultured together, and the localization of Cx43 was detected by immunohistochemistry and indirect immunofluorescent cytochemistry and under confocal microscopy . And the expression of Cx43 on the surface of the cells was examined by flow cytometry. With the in vivo examination, 20 SD rats were randomized into control group (n=10) and electrical acupuncture group (EAgroup, n=10). EA ( 0.5-1.5 V, 4-16 Hz , 30 min) was applied to “Zusanli”acupoint for 30 min at rat‘s hind paw, the localization of Cx43 was immunohistochemically detected. The immunohistochemical staining and indirect immunfluoresce.nt cytochemistry showed that Cx43 was localized on the surface of the cells and in the cytoplasm. The relative expression level of Cx43 on the cellular membrane surfaces of the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts, as determined by FACS, were 13.91 % and 29.53 % respectively. Our studied suggested that Cx43 might be involved in GJIC and propagated sensation along meridians.     

Cx43基因剔除小鼠心脏锥干部的异常发育

目的探讨Cx43基因缺陷小鼠心脏锥干部发育异常。方法选用胚胎（embryonic day,E）11．5d至出生后1dC57／BL6小鼠作为研究对象,根据基因型分为Cx43基因剔除纯合子（Cx43-／-）、杂合子（Cx43＋／-）及野生型（Cx43＋／＋）,采用聚合酶链反应方法鉴定基因型。免疫组化法测定横纹肌肌动蛋白α-SCA、平滑肌肌动蛋白α-SMA、神经嵴细胞的标志物AP-2α的表达;原位杂交方法检测AP-2α mRNA的表达。结果Cx43-/-出生后24h内即死亡。大体解剖见明显的右室流出道圆锥部异常膨隆。HE染色示右心室流出道壁大量异常小梁状组织增生突起,右室流出道腔明显狭窄。Cx43＋／-无明显异常。Cx43-／-近端流出道隔中央区域α-SCA的表达明显滞后。Cx43＋／-与Cx43-／-小鼠右室流出道与Cx43＋／＋比较可见比较强的α-SMA的表达,主要位于右侧锥干部的异常增生部位。Cx43-/-小鼠在E13．5流出道隔AP-2α蛋白及其mRNA水平表达均增多,且表达位置异常。结论Cx43 KO小鼠以右室流出道异常增生引起的梗阻性畸形为主要特征。Cx43 KO小鼠胚胎期近端流出道隔心肌化迟滞。Cx43 KO小鼠锥干部α-SMA的表达不能正常消退,心肌细胞发育不成熟。神经嵴细胞的发育异常可能参与了Cx43基因缺陷小鼠锥干部畸形的发病机制。     

Cx43基因敲除胎鼠心脏近端流出道隔心肌化过程中的关键基因

 目的 研究Cx43基因纯合敲除（Cx43-/-）小鼠胚胎心脏近端流出道组织中基因表达谱的改变,筛选可能导致Cx43-/-小鼠流出道梗阻的关键基因。方法 以胎龄（embryonic day,ED）14.5的Cx43-/-和野生型（Cx43+/+）鼠胚心脏近端流出道部分为研究对象,分别提取总RNA,逆转录成cDNA,并在体外转录为cRNA,同时进行生物素标记及片段化,再与Affymetrix-430 2.0基因芯片进行杂交。杂交信号经扫描后,应用相关生物信息软件分析基因表达情况。结果 与Cx43+/+组相比,Cx43-/-组中表达上调2倍以上的基因共有143个,表达下调2倍以上的基因有235个。其中表达差异的基因参与转录调控、细胞周期、细胞黏附、细胞活动和细胞骨架的信号通路等主要生理过程。进一步筛查表达差异1.5倍以上的基因发现,与圆锥动脉干畸形相关的TGFβ/BMP信号通路上的多个基因以及Ssr1、Ptk2、Bmp6等基因在Cx43-/-组有明显变化。对这些基因进行荧光定量PCR验证,结果与基因芯片一致（P<0.05）。结论 利用基因芯片技术初步筛选出与Cx43-/-鼠胚心脏近端流出道发育有关的多个基因,并经荧光定量PCR验证。其中TGFβ/BMP信号通路上的多个基因以及Ssr1、Ptk2、Bmp6等基因可能与Cx43-/-小鼠流出道梗阻的发生有关。     

连接蛋白43基因敲除小鼠胚胎心脏流出道组织中转录因子的表达及意义

目的 研究连接蛋白43（Cx43）基因敲除小鼠胚胎心脏近端流出道组织中转录因子的改变,从分子水平探讨Cx43基因敲除小鼠胚胎心脏近端流出道发育异常的原因。方法 以胎龄13．5d和14．5d的Cx43基因敲除、Cx43杂合子和Cx43野生型鼠胚心脏近端流出道部分为研究对象。分别提取总RNA,反转录成cDNA;并在体外转录为cRNA,同时进行生物素标记及片段化;再与Affymetrix 4302．0小鼠全基因组芯片进行杂交。杂交信号经扫描后,应用相关生物信息软件分析基因表达情况。用实时定量逆转录（RT）PCR的方法对基因芯片筛选出的与心脏发育相关的部分转录因子进行验证。结果 与Cx43野生型组相比,Cx43基因敲除组表达差异的基因中,有6个是与心脏发育相关的转录因子。实时定量RT—PCR验证了其中3个基因：Soxll、Foxpl和Tbx20。在胎龄13．5d,Cx43基因敲除鼠胚Sox11、Foxp1的表达量均明显低于Cx43野生型组（4．76±0．19 vs 5．34±0．25,5．08±0．28 vs 5．64±0．15,均P〈0．01）;Tbx20在各组间差异不明显。胎龄14．5d,各基因Sox11、Foxp1以及Tbx20的表达量在基因敲除组均明显低于Cx43野生型组（4．71±0．27 vs 5．00±0．19,5．25±0．31 vs 5．77±0．16,7．05±0．17 vs 7．43±0．25,均P〈0．05）。其变化趋势与基因芯片结果基本一致。结论 心脏特异性的转录因子Foxp1、Sox11和Tbx20等的表达异常可能与Cx43基因敲除小鼠流出道的异常发育有关。     

连接蛋白40、45在连接蛋白43基因敲除小鼠胚胎心脏的时空表达

目的 检测连接蛋白(Cx)40、45在Cx43基因敲除小鼠胚胎心脏的时空表达.方法 选取Cx43基因敲除胎鼠,通过PCR方法鉴定其基因型,以Cx43基因敲除胎鼠纯合子作为研究对象,野生型为对照组,获取胎龄10.5、11.5、12.5、13.5、14.5、15.5 d纯合子及野生型各2只胎鼠,免疫组化检测Cx40、Cx45在心脏各部位的表达,SCIM显微图像分析系统对染色强度进行定量分析.结果 (1)野生型小鼠心室原始小梁网在胎龄10.5 d就已经有Cx40表达(A值为8.6),随后在心房、心室、小梁网、房室间隔和主、肺动脉壁表达逐日增加,胎龄14.5 d在心室部位达到高峰(A值为94.8),然后逐渐减少;Cx43基因敲除小鼠胚胎心脏发育中Cx40在各部位的时空表达趋势与野生型相似,胎龄10.5 d在肌小梁A值为7.9,胎龄14.5 d心室部位为75.8.纯合基因敲除型胎鼠Cx40的表达量明显弱于野生型.(2)野生型小鼠肌小梁部在胎龄10.5 d出现Cx45的表达(A值为20.0),随后在房室各部位相继表达,胎龄12.5 d在心房部位达到高峰(A值为49.6),然后表达逐渐减少;Cx43基因敲除小鼠胚胎心脏发育中Cx45在各部位的时空表达趋势与野生型相似,胎龄10.5 d在肌小梁A值为17.8,胎龄12.5 d心房部位为31.5.纯合基因敲除型胎鼠Cx45的表达量明显弱于野生型.结论 Cx40和Cx45在Cx43基因敲除小鼠纯合子胎龄10.5～15.5 d这一心脏分隔、瓣膜发育的关键时期表达异常,可能与Cx43基因敲除小鼠心脏的异常发育有关.     

缝隙连接蛋白在心房纤颤患者心房肌的表达及其信号转导途径

目的探讨缝隙连接蛋白在心房纤颤(房颤)心房肌的表达及其信号转导机制.方法 63例接受开胸手术患者(包括慢性房颤、阵发性房颤、窦性心律患者),手术时取心房组织,应用逆转录-聚合酶链反应技术检测心房肌钙调磷酸酶调节亚单位(Calcineurin B)、丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶磷酸酶-1(MKP-1)mRNA表达量,采用Western印迹方法,检测细胞外调节激酶1(ERK1)、磷酸化细胞外调节激酶1(P-ERK1)、缝隙连接蛋白40(Cx40)、缝隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)蛋白表达量的改变.结果慢性房颤、阵发性房颤患者左心房与右心耳组织Cx40蛋白表达量(左心房2.2±0.8,2.2±0.6;右心耳2.1±0.5,2.0±0.8 ), 与窦性心律组相比,差异有显著意义(P<0.05).慢性房颤、阵发性房颤患者Cx43蛋白仅在左房组织表达高于窦性心律瓣膜病组(3.1±0.6,2.8±0.7 vs 1.0±0.2,P均<0.05).Calcineurin B mRNA、 MKP-1 mRNA、P- ERK1蛋白在慢性房颤、阵发性房颤患者各组的表达水平均明显高于窦性心律组(P<0.05).免疫组化显示慢性房颤、阵发性房颤患者Cx40、Cx43均分布紊乱,聚集于细胞的侧边、胞浆或核周.结论房颤患者心房肌Cx40、Cx43 蛋白基因表达增高且分布异常,可能与ERK1及一些磷酸酶的异常激活、调控失衡有关.     

异氟烷对心肌动作电位及缝隙连接蛋白Cx43的作用

目的:观察异氟烷对心肌动作电位及缝隙连接蛋白Cx43表达的影响.方法:健康家兔40只,采用Langendorff离体心脏平衡灌注15min后,随机分为5组:I0.65组,用0.65MAC异氟烷的K-H液灌注;I0,65H用0.65MAC异氟烷加0.5mmol/L庚醇的K-H液灌注;I1.3组,用1.3MAC异氟烷的K-H液灌注;H0.5组,用庚醇0.5mmol/L的K-H液灌注;S组,用K-H液灌注.观察记录灌流15min时(基础值)和给药15min时的心率(HR)及心内膜心肌(Endo)、中层心肌(M)、心外膜心肌(Epi)的动作电位时程(APD)和振幅(APA),灌注完毕取左心室心肌组织,用免疫组织化学检测心肌Cx43蛋白表达.结果:I0.65组心肌动作电位无明显影响,I1.3组APD显著延长(P＜0.05),H0.5组HR显著减慢(P＜0.05),APD显著延长(P＜0.05),k0.65H组给药后有发生心律失常甚至心电活动停止现象;Cx43蛋白表达I0.65H组较H0.5组表达少(P＜0.05),H0.5组较I0.65、I1.3组表达少(P＜0.05),I1.3组较I0.65组、S组表达少(P＜0.05).结论:异氟烷与庚醇对心脏动作电位和缝隙连接蛋白Cx43可能有着相似的作用,延长动作单位时程,减少Cx43蛋白表达,改变Cx43蛋白分布;异氟烷可能通过阻滞缝隙连接,对心脏动作电位产生作用.     

人心脏间隙连接蛋白43的时空表达

目的探讨人心脏间隙连接蛋白43(Cx43)的时空表达规律。方法应用SP免疫组化和图像分析方法,检测胎儿、新生儿和成人心肌Cx43蛋白表达和含量变化。结果(1)胎儿和新生儿Cx43呈斑点状遍布于整个心肌的细胞质内和细胞膜表面,少数位于闰盘处;(2)成人Cx43在心房肌细胞非均质分布于细胞侧面连接处和端闰盘处;心室肌典型地排列在闰盘处;(3)Cx43分布密度随年龄增长而降低,且具有腔室差异,胎儿和新生儿心房<心室,成人心房>心室。结论随着年龄的增长Cx43从细胞侧表面向端-端闰盘处转移。这种位置移动是心脏机械收缩和电传导的生理性调整。     

风心病慢性房颤心房连接蛋白表达与AERP的相关性研究

目的:通过检测风心病慢性房颤患者左、右心房缝隙连接蛋白Cx40和Cx43表达及相应部位的心房有效不应期(AERP)研究两者之间的相关性,探讨Cx40和Cx43对慢性房颤左、右心房电生理特性的影响. 方法:29例风心病伴或不伴慢性房颤的患者,共分2组:窦性心律组(SR组,n=13),慢性房颤组(CAF组,n=16),另取6例非风心病作为正常对照组.在行二尖瓣置换术时,采用心外膜标测技术测定左、右心房的AERP,并在相应部位切取心房组织,通过Western印迹法检测左、右心房肌Cx40和Cx43的表达,同时对两者行相关性分析. 结果:CAF组患者左、右心房Cx40的表达和AERP较SR组有明显下降(P<0.05),而Cx43无明显变化;左心房后壁Cx40的相对表达量与AERP呈明显正相关(r＝0.762,P<0.01),而Cx43与AERP无明显相关.SR组中,Cx40和Cx43均与AERP无明显相关.结论:在风心病慢性房颤心房中,Cx40表达下调参与慢性房颤的心房重构,并影响心房的电生理特性,提示Cx40的表达对风心病慢性房颤的发生和维持具有重要的作用.     

Cx43基因在人类及小鼠胎心发育中的时空表达规律

目的　检测Cx4 3在人类和小鼠的胚胎心脏的表达 ,了解该基因在心脏发育过程中的表达规律。方法　选取人类 6～ 18孕周正常胚胎或胎儿心脏 6 3例 ,小鼠孕龄 9 5～ 16 5d胚胎心脏 6 4例 ,采用免疫组化法显示Cx4 3基因在心脏的表达。结果　早期人类胚胎心脏中 ,Cx4 3在心室肌中没有表达 ,心房肌表达微弱 ,原始小梁网中表达很高 ,随着胚胎发育 ,在心房和心室的表达逐渐增强 ,小梁网的表达在胚胎 13～ 14周达到高峰。室间隔的肌部表达量较弱 ,膜部室间隔不表达。房室瓣和大动脉根部管壁Cx4 3没有明显表达。除了在大动脉管壁表达不同 ,小鼠胚胎心脏表达规律与人类基本相同。结论　Cx4 3对于胚胎心脏的发育至关重要。