Gap Junctions and the Connexin Protein Family in Health and Disease

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 991

Special Issue Editor

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia
Interests: microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes; diabetic nephropathy; renal physiology and pathology; gene expression during embryonic and foetal development; kidneys and urinary system
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Intercellular communication plays an important role in cell physiology. Cell-to-cell interaction based on the direct exchange of small molecules relies on the existence of a complex of gap junctions, the building blocks of which are a group of transmembrane proteins called connexins. In addition to their role in direct intercellular exchange, connexins are also involved in paracrine communication by forming membrane pores - hemichannels. Beside their role in intercellular communication, some members of the connexin family are also thought to have functions unrelated to channel formation.

Because of their important role in cell physiology, mutations in the genes encoding connexin proteins lead to various human developmental disorders and diseases. In addition, alterations in the formation and function of gap junctions and connexins have been shown to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of many diseases.

Despite the growing number of studies, there are still many gaps in our knowledge in this area. Therefore, we invite researchers to submit review articles or original papers that contribute to our understanding of the role of connexins in physiology and various pathological processes.

Prof. Dr. Natalija Filipović
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • intercellular communication
  • physiology
  • connexins
  • pannexins
  • gap junctions

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 6981 KiB  
Article
Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
by Berna Pavic, Marin Ogorevc, Katarina Boric, Dubravka Vukovic, Mirna Saraga-Babic and Snjezana Mardesic
Biomedicines 2023, 11(9), 2487; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11092487 - 07 Sep 2023
Viewed by 644
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Although its pathogenesis is not fully understood, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panx) could be involved in the process of fibrosis. We analyzed the protein expression of Cx37, [...] Read more.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Although its pathogenesis is not fully understood, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panx) could be involved in the process of fibrosis. We analyzed the protein expression of Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Panx1 in the gastric mucosa of patients with SSc and healthy volunteers, using immunofluorescence staining. Protein levels of Cx37 were slightly increased, while the levels of Cx40 were significantly decreased in the lamina propria of the gastric mucosa of SSc patients compared to the controls. The changes were proportional to SSc severity, with the most prominent changes found in patients with severe diffuse cutaneous SSc. No differences in Cx43 or Panx1 levels were found between the analyzed groups of samples. The lack of changes in Cx43 expression, which has been previously associated with fibrosis, could be due to the weak expression of Cx43 in the gastric mucosa in general. Further studies on full-thickness gastric biopsies containing muscle layers and animal SSc models are needed to fully elucidate the role of Cxs and Panxs in SSc-associated fibrosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gap Junctions and the Connexin Protein Family in Health and Disease)
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