1
|
Targeting Endothelial Connexin37 Reduces Angiogenesis and Decreases Tumor Growth. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062930. [PMID: 35328350 PMCID: PMC8948817 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin37 (Cx37) and Cx40 form intercellular channels between endothelial cells (EC), which contribute to the regulation of the functions of vessels. We previously documented the participation of both Cx in developmental angiogenesis and have further shown that loss of Cx40 decreases the growth of different tumors. Here, we report that loss of Cx37 reduces (1) the in vitro proliferation of primary human EC; (2) the vascularization of subcutaneously implanted matrigel plugs in Cx37−/− mice or in WT using matrigel plugs supplemented with a peptide targeting Cx37 channels; (3) tumor angiogenesis; and (4) the growth of TC-1 and B16 tumors, resulting in a longer mice survival. We further document that Cx37 and Cx40 function in a collaborative manner to promote tumor growth, inasmuch as the injection of a peptide targeting Cx40 into Cx37−/− mice decreased the growth of TC-1 tumors to a larger extent than after loss of Cx37. This loss did not alter vessel perfusion, mural cells coverage and tumor hypoxia compared to tumors grown in WT mice. The data show that Cx37 is relevant for the control of EC proliferation and growth in different tumor models, suggesting that it may be a target, alone or in combination with Cx40, in the development of anti-tumoral treatments.
Collapse
|
2
|
Le Gal L, Pellegrin M, Santoro T, Mazzolai L, Kurtz A, Meda P, Wagner C, Haefliger J. Connexin37-Dependent Mechanisms Selectively Contribute to Modulate Angiotensin II -Mediated Hypertension. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 8:e010823. [PMID: 30943815 PMCID: PMC6507190 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.010823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Gap junction channels made of Connexin37 (Cx37) are expressed by aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells of hypertensive mice, as well as by the renin-secreting cells of kidneys. Methods and Results To decipher whether Cx37 has any role in hypertension, angiotensin II (Ang II ) was infused in normotensive wild-type and Cx37-deficient mice (Cx37-/-). After 2 to 4 weeks, the resulting increase in blood pressure was lower in Cx37-/- than in wild-type mice, suggesting an alteration in the Ang II response. To investigate this possibility, mice were submitted to a 2-kidney, 1-clip procedure, a renin-dependent model of hypertension. Two weeks after this clipping, Cx37-/- mice were less hypertensive than wild-type mice and, 2 weeks later, their blood pressure had returned to control values, in spite of abnormally high plasma renin levels. In contrast, Cx37-/- and wild-type mice that received N-nitro-l-arginine-methyl-ester, a renin-independent model of hypertension, featured a similar and sustained increase in blood pressure. The data indicate that loss of Cx37 selectively altered the Ang II -dependent pathways. Consistent with this conclusion, aortas of Cx37-/- mice featured an increased basal expression of the Ang II type 2 receptors ( AT 2R), and increased transcripts levels of downstream signaling proteins, such as Cnksr1 and Ptpn6 ( SHP -1). Accordingly, the response of Cx37-/- mice aortas to an ex vivo Ang II exposure was altered, since phosphorylation levels of several proteins of the Ang II pathway ( MLC 2, ERK , and AKT ) remained unchanged. Conclusions These findings provide evidence that Cx37 selectively influences Ang II signaling, mostly via a modulation of the expression of the Ang II type 2 receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Le Gal
- Department of MedicineUniversity of LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Maxime Pellegrin
- Division of AngiologyHeart and Vessel DepartmentCentre Hospitalier Universitaire VaudoisUniversity of LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Tania Santoro
- Department of MedicineUniversity of LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Lucia Mazzolai
- Division of AngiologyHeart and Vessel DepartmentCentre Hospitalier Universitaire VaudoisUniversity of LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Armin Kurtz
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of RegensburgGermany
| | - Paolo Meda
- Department of Cell Physiology and MetabolismSchool of MedicineCMUUniversity of GenevaSwitzerland
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hainz N, Beckmann A, Schubert M, Haase A, Martin U, Tschernig T, Meier C. Human stem cells express pannexins. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:54. [PMID: 29357945 PMCID: PMC5778636 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3125-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Pannexins are channel proteins important for the release of calcium and adenosine triphosphate, which are among other functions involved in early development. Here, the expression of pannexins was investigated in induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human cord blood endothelial cells (hCBiPS2), in hematopoietic stem cell-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (HSC_F1285_T-iPS2) and in human embryonic stem cells (HES-3). The expression of pannexin (Panx) 1–3 mRNAs was analyzed in all three undifferentiated stem cell lines. Stem cells then underwent undirected differentiation into embryoid bodies and were analyzed regarding expression of germ layer-specific genes. Results Panx1, Panx2, and Panx3 mRNAs were expressed in all undifferentiated stem cell lines investigated. In comparison, Panx1 showed the highest expression among all pannexins. The undirected differentiation resulted in a mixed germ layer genotype in all three stem cell lines. Whereas the expression of Panx1 was not affected by differentiation, the expression of Panx2 was slightly increased in differentiated hCBiPS2 cells, HSC_F1285_T-iPS2 as well as HES3 cells as compared to their undifferentiated counterparts. A slight increase of Panx3 expression was observed in differentiated hCBiPS2 cells only. In conclusion, pluripotent stem cells express all three pannexin genes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3125-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Hainz
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 61, Saar, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anja Beckmann
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 61, Saar, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| | - Madline Schubert
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplant and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Haase
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplant and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplant and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.,REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Tschernig
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 61, Saar, 66421, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Carola Meier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Kirrberger Straße, Building 61, Saar, 66421, Homburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Synchronized roles of pannexin and connexin in nasal mucosal epithelia. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 275:1657-1661. [PMID: 29574598 PMCID: PMC5951895 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-018-4947-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nasal mucosal epithelial cells express connexins, the prototypical gap junction proteins, and pannexins, a new family of channel proteins homologous to the invertebrate gap junction proteins. The physiological and pathophysiological roles of these transmembrane proteins in nasal mucosa are largely still unknown. PURPOSE Pannexins participate in ATP release into the extracellular space in various tissues, and ATP plays important roles in mucociliary clearance, especially by regulating ciliary beat activity. Therefore, we focused on the functional relationship between connexins, pannexin-1, ATP release, and mucociliary clearance in nasal epithelia. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Connexins participate in the generation of intercellular calcium waves, in which calcium-mediated signaling responses spread to contiguous cells through the gap junction formed by connexins to transmit calcium signaling throughout the airway epithelium. Pannexins in the nasal mucosa may contribute to not only ciliary beat modulation via ATP release, but also regulation of mucus blanket components via H2O efflux. The synchronized roles of pannexin and connexin may provide a new insight into effective mucociliary clearance systems in nasal mucosa.
Collapse
|