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da Fonseca IIM, Nagamine MK, Sato A, Rossatto-Jr CA, Yeh ES, Dagli MLZ. Inhibitory Effects of Alpha-Connexin Carboxyl-Terminal Peptide on Canine Mammary Epithelial Cells: A Study on Benign and Malignant Phenotypes. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:820. [PMID: 38398211 PMCID: PMC10887206 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammary cancer is highly prevalent in non-castrated female dogs. Cell-to-cell communication is an important mechanism to maintain homeostasis, and connexins are proteins that assemble to form the communicating gap junctions. In many cancers, communication capacity is reduced; several approaches are being tested in order to increase the communication capacity in cancer cells and, therefore, alter their viability. This study analyzed the effects of the alpha-connexin carboxyl-terminal peptide (αCT1) on canine mammary non-neoplastic and neoplastic epithelial cells. Seven canine epithelial mammary cell lines were used. Among these, one was a normal canine epithelial mammary cell line (LOEC-NMG), two canine mammary adenomas (LOEC-MAd1 and LOEC-MAd2), and four canine mammary adenocarcinomas (LOEC-MCA1, LOEC-MCA2, LOEC-MCA3 and CF41). The αCT1 corresponds to a short Cx43 C-terminal sequence linked to an internalization sequence called the antennapedia. After 24 h of incubation, the medium containing different αCT1 peptide concentrations was added to the cells, and only the culture medium was used for control. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was used to quantify cell viability before treatment and 48, 72, and 96 h after the treatment. Results showed that the normal mammary epithelial cell line (LOEC-NMG) was resistant to treatment with αCT1, which is consistent with a previous study on human mammary cell lines. One of the adenoma cell lines (LOEC-MAd2) was also resistant to treatment with αCT1, although the other (LOEC-MAd1) was susceptible to treatment, mostly at 72 h after treatment. Regarding the four canine adenocarcinoma cell lines, they differ regarding the susceptibility to the treatment with αCT1. Three cell lines, canine mixed adenocarcinoma (LOEC-MCA1), canine complex adenocarcinoma (LOEC-MCA2), and commercial canine mammary adenocarcinoma cell line CF41, were susceptible to treatment with αCT1, while one canine mammary adenocarcinoma cell line (LOEC-MCA3) was resistant to treatment. In most αCT1 treated cell lines, Cx43 was strongly detected in cell membranes by immunofluorescence. We propose that αCT1 restored the cell-to-cell communication capacity of neoplastic cells and induced inhibitory effects on cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivone Izabel Mackowiak da Fonseca
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (I.I.M.d.F.); (M.K.N.); (A.S.); (C.A.R.-J.)
| | - Marcia Kazumi Nagamine
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (I.I.M.d.F.); (M.K.N.); (A.S.); (C.A.R.-J.)
| | - Ayami Sato
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (I.I.M.d.F.); (M.K.N.); (A.S.); (C.A.R.-J.)
- Institute of Life Innovation Studies, Toyo University, Tokyo 374-0193, Japan
| | - Carlos Alberto Rossatto-Jr
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (I.I.M.d.F.); (M.K.N.); (A.S.); (C.A.R.-J.)
| | - Elizabeth Shinmay Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Maria Lucia Zaidan Dagli
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil; (I.I.M.d.F.); (M.K.N.); (A.S.); (C.A.R.-J.)
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2
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Mulchandani V, Banerjee A, Vadlamannati AV, Kumar S, Das Sarma J. Connexin 43 trafficking and regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication alters ovarian cancer cell migration and tumorigenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114296. [PMID: 36701988 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer persists to be the most lethal gynecological malignancy, demanding rigorous treatments involving radio-chemotherapy that trigger toxicity and consequently mortality among patients. An improved understanding of the disease progression may pioneer curative therapies. Mouse epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines, ID8 and ID8-VEGF (overexpressing VEGF) were intraperitoneally injected in C57BL/6 female mice to develop a Syngeneic Ovarian cancer mouse model. It was observed that ID8-VEGF cells were able to induce aggressive tumor growth in mice compared to ID8 cells. Furthermore, results of the current in vitro study comparing ID8 and ID8-VEGF demonstrated that highly tumorigenic ID8-VEGF had reduced gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) due to intracellular Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression. Additionally, ID8 cells with reduced tumorigenic capability expressed significant GJIC. Furthermore, loss of GJIC in ID8-VEGF cells induced shorter tunneling nanotube formations, while ID8 cells develops longer tunneling nanotube to maintain cellular crosstalk. The administration of a pharmacological drug 4-phenylbutyrate (4PBA) ensured the restoration of GJIC in both the ovarian cancer cell lines. Additionally, 4PBA treatment significantly inhibited the migration of ovarian cancer cell lines and tumor formation in ovarian cancer mice models. In summary, the 4PBA-mediated restoration of GJIC suppressed migration (in vitro) and tumorigenesis (in vivo) of ovarian cancer cells. The present study suggests that Cx43 assembled GJIC and its supportive signaling pathways are a prospective target for restricting ovarian cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Mulchandani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Anurag Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Arunima Vijaya Vadlamannati
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Saurav Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Jayasri Das Sarma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, India; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
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Jost N, Christ T, Magyar J. New Strategies for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14090926. [PMID: 34577626 PMCID: PMC8466466 DOI: 10.3390/ph14090926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia in the clinical practice. It significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality of the elderly population. Over the past 25-30 years intense effort in basic research has advanced the understanding of the relationship between the pathophysiology of AF and atrial remodelling. Nowadays it is clear that the various forms of atrial remodelling (electrical, contractile and structural) play crucial role in initiating and maintaining the persistent and permanent types of AF. Unlike in ventricular fibrillation, in AF rapid ectopic firing originating from pulmonary veins and re-entry mechanism may induce and maintain (due to atrial remodelling) this complex cardiac arrhythmia. The present review presents and discusses in detail the latest knowledge on the role of remodelling in AF. Special attention is paid to novel concepts and pharmacological targets presumably relevant to the drug treatment of atrial fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Jost
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Research Group for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| | - Torsten Christ
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany;
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - János Magyar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
- Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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Won DH, Hwang DB, Shin YS, Kim SY, Kim C, Hong IS, Kang BC, Che JH, Yun JW. Cellular signaling crosstalk between Wnt signaling and gap junctions inbenzo[a]pyrene toxicity. Cell Biol Toxicol 2021; 39:165-182. [PMID: 34283317 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is considered a key biological mechanism to maintain homeostasis in cell differentiation and growth. In addition, as another major signaling pathway associated with cell proliferation and differentiation, Wnt/β-catenin signaling appears to trigger several cellular responses against injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a known toxic agent, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), on the regulation and interaction between GJIC and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. BaP treatment resulted in GJIC inhibition and decreases the major GJIC protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells. We also found BaP-mediated downregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling related to the PI3K-Akt pathway. To identify the relationship between GJIC and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, we treated WB-F344 cells with the Wnt agonist CHIR99021 and found that it inhibited GJIC while causing a significant reduction in Cx43 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, through the repression of promoter activity. This Wnt agonist-mediated GJIC inhibition was confirmed using a small interfering RNA directed against the Wnt antagonist Dact2, indicating that Wnt/β-catenin signaling negatively regulates GJIC. Despite the inverse correlation between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Cx43 promoter activation as indicated by downregulation of β-catenin nuclear translocation and upregulation of Cx43 promoter activation involving HNF3β, BaP treatment decreased the Cx43 protein expression, which was associated with protein degradation, possibly through protein kinase C activation. In conclusion, our results revealed the mechanism of BaP-induced inhibition of GJIC and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. More importantly, linking Wnt/β-catenin signaling to Cx protein expression will have profound implications in understanding the relationships among different major signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and differentiation in toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hoon Won
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, South Korea
| | - Da-Bin Hwang
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, South Korea
| | - Yoo-Sub Shin
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, South Korea
| | - Shin-Young Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, South Korea
| | - Changuk Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, South Korea
| | - In-Sun Hong
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999, South Korea
| | - Byeong-Cheol Kang
- Graduate School of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Hwan Che
- Biomedical Center for Animal Resource and Development, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, South Korea.
| | - Jun-Won Yun
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, South Korea. .,Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 14662, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Ouabain Promotes Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication in Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010358. [PMID: 33396341 PMCID: PMC7801950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions are molecular structures that allow communication between neighboring cells. It has been shown that gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is notoriously reduced in cancer cells compared to their normal counterparts. Ouabain, a plant derived substance, widely known for its therapeutic properties on the heart, has been shown to play a role in several types of cancer, although its mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. Since we have previously shown that ouabain enhances GJIC in epithelial cells (MDCK), here we probed whether ouabain affects GJIC in a variety of cancer cell lines, including cervico-uterine (CasKi, SiHa and Hela), breast (MDA-MB-321 and MCF7), lung (A549), colon (SW480) and pancreas (HPAF-II). For this purpose, we conducted dye transfer assays to measure and compare GJIC in monolayers of cells with and without treatment with ouabain (0.1, 1, 10, 50 and 500 nM). We found that ouabain induces a statistically significant enhancement of GJIC in all of these cancer cell lines, albeit with distinct sensitivity. Additionally, we show that synthesis of new nucleotides or protein subunits is not required, and that Csrc, ErK1/2 and ROCK-Rho mediate the signaling mechanisms. These results may contribute to explaining how ouabain influences cancer.
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Ulgen E, Ozisik O, Sezerman OU. pathfindR: An R Package for Comprehensive Identification of Enriched Pathways in Omics Data Through Active Subnetworks. Front Genet 2019; 10:858. [PMID: 31608109 PMCID: PMC6773876 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathway analysis is often the first choice for studying the mechanisms underlying a phenotype. However, conventional methods for pathway analysis do not take into account complex protein-protein interaction information, resulting in incomplete conclusions. Previously, numerous approaches that utilize protein-protein interaction information to enhance pathway analysis yielded superior results compared to conventional methods. Hereby, we present pathfindR, another approach exploiting protein-protein interaction information and the first R package for active-subnetwork-oriented pathway enrichment analyses for class comparison omics experiments. Using the list of genes obtained from an omics experiment comparing two groups of samples, pathfindR identifies active subnetworks in a protein-protein interaction network. It then performs pathway enrichment analyses on these identified subnetworks. To further reduce the complexity, it provides functionality for clustering the resulting pathways. Moreover, through a scoring function, the overall activity of each pathway in each sample can be estimated. We illustrate the capabilities of our pathway analysis method on three gene expression datasets and compare our results with those obtained from three popular pathway analysis tools. The results demonstrate that literature-supported disease-related pathways ranked higher in our approach compared to the others. Moreover, pathfindR identified additional pathways relevant to the conditions that were not identified by other tools, including pathways named after the conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ege Ulgen
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozan Ozisik
- Department of Computer Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Faculty, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Osman Ugur Sezerman
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
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7
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A Barter Economy in Tumors: Exchanging Metabolites through Gap Junctions. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010117. [PMID: 30669506 PMCID: PMC6356692 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To produce physiological functions, many tissues require their cells to be connected by gap junctions. Such diffusive coupling is important in establishing a cytoplasmic syncytium through which cells can exchange signals, substrates and metabolites. Often the benefits of connectivity become apparent solely at the multicellular level, leading to the notion that cells work for a common good rather than exclusively in their self-interest. In some tumors, gap junctional connectivity between cancer cells is reduced or absent, but there are notable cases where it persists or re-emerges in late-stage disease. Diffusive coupling will blur certain phenotypic differences between cells, which may seem to go against the establishment of population heterogeneity, a central pillar of cancer that stems from genetic instability. Here, building on our previous measurements of gap junctional coupling between cancer cells, we use a computational model to simulate the role of connexin-assembled channels in exchanging lactate and bicarbonate ions down their diffusion gradients. Based on the results of these simulations, we propose that an overriding benefit of gap junctional connectivity may relate to lactate/bicarbonate exchange, which would support an elevated metabolic rate in hypoxic tumors. In this example of barter, hypoxic cancer cells provide normoxic neighbors with lactate for mitochondrial oxidation; in exchange, bicarbonate ions, which are more plentiful in normoxic cells, are supplied to hypoxic neighbors to neutralize the H+ ions co-produced glycolytically. Both cells benefit, and so does the tumor.
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8
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Varela-Eirin M, Loureiro J, Fonseca E, Corrochano S, Caeiro JR, Collado M, Mayan MD. Cartilage regeneration and ageing: Targeting cellular plasticity in osteoarthritis. Ageing Res Rev 2018; 42:56-71. [PMID: 29258883 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Ageing processes play a major contributing role for the development of Osteoarthritis (OA). This prototypic degenerative condition of ageing is the most common form of arthritis and is accompanied by a general decline, chronic pain and mobility deficits. The disease is primarily characterized by articular cartilage degradation, followed by subchondral bone thickening, osteophyte formation, synovial inflammation and joint degeneration. In the early stages, osteoarthritic chondrocytes undergo phenotypic changes that increase cell proliferation and cluster formation and enhance the production of matrix-remodelling enzymes. In fact, chondrocytes exhibit differentiation plasticity and undergo phenotypic changes during the healing process. Current studies are focusing on unravelling whether OA is a consequence of an abnormal wound healing response. Recent investigations suggest that alterations in different proteins, such as TGF-ß/BMPs, NF-Kß, Wnt, and Cx43, or SASP factors involved in signalling pathways in wound healing response, could be directly implicated in the initiation of OA. Several findings suggest that osteoarthritic chondrocytes remain in an immature state expressing stemness-associated cell surface markers. In fact, the efficacy of new disease-modifying OA drugs that promote chondrogenic differentiation in animal models indicates that this may be a drug-sensible state. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge regarding cellular plasticity in chondrocytes and OA. A better comprehension of the mechanisms involved in these processes may enable us to understand the molecular pathways that promote abnormal repair and cartilage degradation in OA. This understanding would be advantageous in identifying novel targets and designing therapies to promote effective cartilage repair and successful joint ageing by preventing functional limitations and disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Varela-Eirin
- CellCOM research group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Jesus Loureiro
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Eduardo Fonseca
- CellCOM research group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Jose R Caeiro
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Collado
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), SERGAS, Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maria D Mayan
- CellCOM research group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Xubias de Arriba, 84, 15006 A Coruña, Spain.
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9
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Thuringer D, Jego G, Berthenet K, Hammann A, Solary E, Garrido C. Gap junction-mediated transfer of miR-145-5p from microvascular endothelial cells to colon cancer cells inhibits angiogenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:28160-8. [PMID: 27058413 PMCID: PMC5053717 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctional communication between cancer cells and blood capillary cells is crucial to tumor growth and invasion. Gap junctions may transfer microRNAs (miRs) among cells. Here, we explore the impact of such a transfer in co-culture assays, using the antitumor miR-145 as an example. The SW480 colon carcinoma cells form functional gap junction composed of connexin-43 (Cx43) with human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC). When HMEC are loaded with miR-145-5p mimics, the miR-145 level drastically increases in SW480. The functional inhibition of gap junctions, using either a gap channel blocker or siRNA targeting Cx43, prevents this increase. The transfer of miR-145 also occurs from SW480 to HMEC but not in non-contact co-cultures, excluding the involvement of soluble exosomes. The miR-145 transfer to SW480 up-regulates their Cx43 expression and inhibits their ability to promote angiogenesis. Our results indicate that the gap junctional communication can inhibit tumor growth by transferring miRs from one endothelial cell to neighboring tumor cells. This “bystander” effect could find application in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gaetan Jego
- INSERM, U866, Faculty of Medecine, 21000 Dijon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
| | | | | | - Eric Solary
- INSERM, U1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94508 Villejuif, France
| | - Carmen Garrido
- INSERM, U866, Faculty of Medecine, 21000 Dijon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France.,CGFL, BP77980, 21000 Dijon, France
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10
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Wu D, Li B, Liu H, Yuan M, Yu M, Tao L, Dong S, Tong X. In vitro inhibited effect of gap junction composed of Cx43 in the invasion and metastasis of testicular cancer resistanced to cisplatin. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 98:826-833. [PMID: 29571253 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of gap junction intercellular communication composed of connexin on cancer invasion/metastasis has been thoroughly explored; however, its effect on testicular cancer resistanced to chemotherapy is still unclear. In this study, we found that the capability of invasion and migration of I-10/DDP (cisplatin (DDP)-resistance) cells were elevated. Furthermore, the expression of Cx43 and the function of gap junction (GJ) in I-10/DDP cells were decreased compared with parental I-10 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of GJs by oleamide (Olea) enhanced invasion and migration. However, enhancement of GJs by retinoic acid (RA) decreased invasion and migration of I-10/DDP cells. To further clarify the invasion/migration inhibited effect of GJ in the testicular cancer resistanced to DDP, GJ function was modulated by overexpression and knockdown of Cx43 expression. Overexpression of Cx43 reduced invasion and migration of I-10/DDP cells. Conversely, knockdown of Cx43 expression increased invasion and migration of I-10/DDP cells. In summary, GJ composed of Cx43 inhibits I-10/DDP cells invasion and migration, and it may become the potential therapeutic target for testicular cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, PR China
| | - Beibei Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The People's Hospital of Lixin County, Anhui, Bozhou, 236700, PR China
| | - Haofeng Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, PR China
| | - Min Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, PR China
| | - Meiling Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, Bengbu, 233004, PR China
| | - Liang Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, PR China
| | - Shuying Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, PR China.
| | - Xuhui Tong
- School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233030, PR China.
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11
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Wong P, Laxton V, Srivastava S, Chan YWF, Tse G. The role of gap junctions in inflammatory and neoplastic disorders (Review). Int J Mol Med 2017; 39:498-506. [PMID: 28098880 PMCID: PMC5360388 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.2859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions are intercellular channels made of connexin proteins, mediating both electrical and biochemical signals between cells. The ability of gap junction proteins to regulate immune responses, cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis and carcinogenesis makes them attractive therapeutic targets for treating inflammatory and neoplastic disorders in different organ systems. Alterations in gap junction profile and expression levels are observed in hyperproliferative skin disorders, lymphatic vessel diseases, inflammatory lung diseases, liver injury and neoplastic disorders. It is now recognized that the therapeutic effects mediated by traditional pharmacological agents are dependent upon gap junction communication and may even act by influencing gap junction expression or function. Novel strategies for modulating the function or expression of connexins, such as the use of synthetic mimetic peptides and siRNA technology are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Victoria Laxton
- Intensive Care Department, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6NP
| | | | - Yin Wah Fiona Chan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1AG, UK
| | - Gary Tse
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R. China
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12
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Yang S, Wen Q, Liu Y, Zhang C, Wang M, Chen G, Gong Y, Zhong J, Chen X, Stucky A, Zhong JF, Zhang X. Increased expression of CX43 on stromal cells promotes leukemia apoptosis. Oncotarget 2016; 6:44323-31. [PMID: 26517241 PMCID: PMC4792559 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin 43 (Cx43) induced apoptosis has been reported in solid tumors, but the effect of Cx43 expressed by bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in leukemia has not been fully investigated. Manipulating Cx43 expression could be a potential therapeutic strategy for leukemia. Here, we investigate the effect of Cx43 expressed by BMSCs (human Umbilical Cord Stem Cells over-expressed CX43, Cx43-hUCSC) on leukemia cells. When co-cultured with Cx43-hUCSC, leukemia cells show significant lower growth rate with increasing apoptosis activity, and more leukemia cells enter S phase. Functional assays of fluorescence recovery after photo bleaching (FRAP) showed improved gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) on leukemia cells when co-cultured with Cx43-hUCSC (p < 0.01). In a mouse minimal disease model, the mean survival time and mortality rate were significantly improved in mice transplanted with Cx43-hUCSC. Our results indicate that Cx43 expressed by BMSC induces apoptosis on leukemia cells. Small molecules or other pharmaceutical approaches for modulating Cx43 expression in BMSCs could be used for delaying relapse of leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Yang
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Qin Wen
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yao Liu
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Maihong Wang
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | | | - Xuelian Chen
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andres Stucky
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jiang F Zhong
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xi Zhang
- Ostrow School of Dentistry and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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13
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Connexin's Connection in Breast Cancer Growth and Progression. Int J Cell Biol 2016; 2016:9025905. [PMID: 27642298 PMCID: PMC5011527 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9025905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions are cell-to-cell junctions that are located in the basolateral surface of two adjoining cells. A gap junction channel is composed of a family of proteins called connexins. Gap junction channels maintain intercellular communication between two cells through the exchange of ions, small metabolites, and electrical signals. Gap junction channels or connexins are widespread in terms of their expression and function in maintaining the development, differentiation, and homeostasis of vertebrate tissues. Gap junction connexins play a major role in maintaining intercellular communication among different cell types of normal mammary gland for proper development and homeostasis. Connexins have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Differential expression pattern of connexins and their gap junction dependent or independent functions provide pivotal cross talk of breast tumor cells with the surrounding stromal cell in the microenvironment. Substantial research from the last 20 years has accumulated ample evidences that allow us a better understanding of the roles that connexins play in the tumorigenesis of primary breast tumor and its metastatic progression. This review will summarize the knowledge about the connexins and gap junction activities in breast cancer highlighting the differential expression and functional dynamics of connexins in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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14
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Gap junction modifiers regulate electrical activities of the sinoatrial node and pulmonary vein: Therapeutic implications in atrial arrhythmogenesis. Int J Cardiol 2016; 221:529-36. [PMID: 27414735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gap junction (GJ) dysfunctions predispose cardiac tissues to various arrhythmias. Sinoatrial node (SAN) and pulmonary veins (PVs) are closely related atrial dysrhythmia. This study evaluated whether GJ modifications modulate SAN and PVs electrical activities. METHODS Conventional microelectrodes were used to record action potentials in isolated rabbit SAN, PVs, and connected PV-SAN tissue preparations before and after heptanol (GJ inhibitor) and PQ1 (GJ enhancer) administration with and without isoproterenol. A whole-cell patch clamp was used to record the electrical activities before and after heptanol in single SAN and PV cardiomyocytes. RESULTS Heptanol (1, 3, and 10μM) reduced the spontaneous beating rates of isolated SAN preparations but not PVs. Heptanol (10μM) decelerated the SAN leading rhythm in the PV-SAN preparations and induced PV burst firings without (3 of 6, 50%) and with (6 of 6, 100%) isoproterenol (1μM). Heptanol (10μM) also reduced the spontaneous beating rates in single SAN cardiomyocyte, but not PV cardiomyocyte, with a decreased pacemaker current. PQ1 (50 and 500nM) treatment did not change the spontaneous beating rates in isolated SAN and PV preparations. In the connected PV-SAN preparations, PQ1 (500nM) did not induce any PV firing even having additional isoproterenol treatment (1μM). Moreover, PQ1 (500nM) prevented heptanol-induced electrical changes in SAN and PVs preparations. CONCLUSION GJ dysfunction modulates SAN and PV electrical activity, which may contribute to atrial arrhythmogenesis. GJ enhancer has a therapeutic potential in SAN dysfunction and atrial arrhythmogenesis.
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15
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Tanaka T, Kimura M, Ishiguro H, Mizoguchi K, Takeyama H. Connexin 43 expression is associated with poor survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Clin Oncol 2016; 4:989-993. [PMID: 27284434 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2016.828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin 43 (Cx43) is an important gap junction protein in vertebrates, which has been reported to function as a tumor suppressor in a number of organs. However, the mechanism underlying the effect of Cx43 on tumor progression remains unknown, with only a limited number of studies reporting on the role of Cx43 in esophageal cancer. In the present study, Cx43 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and the associations between Cx43 expression and clinicopathological characteristics or prognosis were evaluated. Cx43 was expressed at a high frequency in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Of the 98 ESCC cases investigated, positivity for Cx43 was observed in 62 cases (63.26%). In patients with high Cx43 expression, the survival rates were significantly reduced compared with those in patients with low Cx43 expression. Moreover, the overexpression of Cx43, as measured by immunohistochemistry, was an independent prognostic indicator of ESCC. Thus, our data indicated that Cx43 may be a candidate molecular prognostic marker and molecular target for the development of an effective therapeutic intervention for patients with esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kimura
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Ishiguro
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Kouji Mizoguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Takeyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
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16
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Thuringer D, Berthenet K, Cronier L, Solary E, Garrido C. Primary tumor- and metastasis-derived colon cancer cells differently modulate connexin expression and function in human capillary endothelial cells. Oncotarget 2015; 6:28800-15. [PMID: 26320187 PMCID: PMC4745693 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A gradual loss of functional gap junction between tumor cells has been reported with colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. Here, we explored if colon cancer cells could also affect gap junctions in blood capillary cells. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) were cultured with two CRC cell lines established from a unique patient. SW480 cells, derived from the primary tumor, migrate much faster across HMEC monolayer than SW620 cells derived from a metastatic site. The motile SW480 cells highly express and release HSP27 that increases gap junction formation with HMEC. Soluble HSP27 phosphorylates the connexin Cx43 on serine residues and induces its interaction with the oncoprotein 14-3-3, which promotes Cx43 delivery at the plasma membrane. The factors secreted by less motile SW620 cells do not affect Cx43 expression but up-regulate the expression of the connexin Cx32 through an activation of the chemokine receptor CXCR2. In turn, SW620 secreted factors induce tubulogenesis and ATP release. Altogether, cell lines derived from CRC primary tumor and metastasis differentially adapt endothelial cell functions by modulating connexin expression through released mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laurent Cronier
- CNRS ERL7368, STIM Lab, University of Poitiers, 86022 Poitiers, France
| | - Eric Solary
- INSERM, U1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, 94508 Villejuif, France
| | - Carmen Garrido
- INSERM, U866 Faculty of Medecine, 21000 Dijon, France
- University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France
- CGFL, 21000 Dijon, France
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17
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AR Pathway Is Involved in the Regulation of CX43 in Prostate Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:514234. [PMID: 26491675 PMCID: PMC4600923 DOI: 10.1155/2015/514234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
CX43 plays a critical role in tumor progression. Previous studies imply that AR pathway
may be involved in regulation of CX43. This study was focused on determining the
relationship between AR pathway and CX43. The result showed that the expression of
CX43 in malignant cells was higher than that in normal cells, and in nonmalignant
and malignant cells, not only is the expression level of CX43 different, but the
localization of CX43 can also be changed. After androgen stimulation and inhibition
of AR pathway, expression of CX43 can also be changed. Thus, AR pathway plays an
important role in regulation of CX43 expression in prostate cancer cells. AR may be
the upstream signal of CX43.
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18
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Grek CL, Rhett JM, Bruce JS, Abt MA, Ghatnekar GS, Yeh ES. Targeting connexin 43 with α-connexin carboxyl-terminal (ACT1) peptide enhances the activity of the targeted inhibitors, tamoxifen and lapatinib, in breast cancer: clinical implication for ACT1. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:296. [PMID: 25881004 PMCID: PMC4407347 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1229-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment failure is a critical issue in breast cancer and identifying useful interventions that optimize current cancer therapies remains a critical unmet need. Expression and functional studies have identified connexins (Cxs), a family of gap junction proteins, as potential tumor suppressors. Studies suggest that Cx43 has a role in breast cancer cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Although pan-gap junction drugs are available, the lack of specificity of these agents increases the opportunity for off target effects. Consequently, a therapeutic agent that specifically modulates Cx43 would be beneficial and has not been tested in breast cancer. In this study, we now test an agent that specifically targets Cx43, called ACT1, in breast cancer. METHODS We evaluated whether direct modulation of Cx43 using a Cx43-directed therapeutic peptide, called ACT1, enhances Cx43 gap junctional activity in breast cancer cells, impairs breast cancer cell proliferation or survival, and enhances the activity of the targeted inhibitors tamoxifen and lapatinib. RESULTS Our results show that therapeutic modulation of Cx43 by ACT1 maintains Cx43 at gap junction sites between cell-cell membrane borders of breast cancer cells and augments gap junction activity in functional assays. The increase in Cx43 gap junctional activity achieved by ACT1 treatment impairs proliferation or survival of breast cancer cells but ACT1 has no effect on non-transformed MCF10A cells. Furthermore, treating ER+ breast cancer cells with a combination of ACT1 and tamoxifen or HER2+ breast cancer cells with ACT1 and lapatinib augments the activity of these targeted inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Based on our findings, we conclude that modulation of Cx43 activity in breast cancer can be effectively achieved with the agent ACT1 to sustain Cx43-mediated gap junctional activity resulting in impaired malignant progression and enhanced activity of lapatinib and tamoxifen, implicating ACT1 as part of a combination regimen in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Grek
- FirstString Research, Inc., 300 W. Coleman Blvd., Suite 203, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA.
| | - Joshua Matthew Rhett
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Jaclynn S Bruce
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave, BSB358, MSC509, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Melissa A Abt
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave, BSB358, MSC509, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Gautam S Ghatnekar
- FirstString Research, Inc., 300 W. Coleman Blvd., Suite 203, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA.
| | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave, BSB358, MSC509, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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