Differential expression of connexin43 in foetal, adult and tumour-associated human brain endothelial cells

The Histochemical Journal
M ErredeD Virgintino

Abstract

Connexin43 (Cx43), the main protein constituting the gap junctions between astrocytes, has previously been demonstrated in endothelial cells of somatic vessels where the intercellular coupling that it provides plays a role in endothelial proliferation and migration. In this study, Cx43 expression was analysed in human brain microvascular endothelial cells of the cortical plate of 18-week foetal telencephalon, in adult cerebral cortex and glioma (astrocytomas). The study was carried out by immunocytochemistry utilizing a Cx43 monoclonal antibody and a polyclonal antibody anti-GLUT1 (glucose transporter isoform 1) to identify the endothelial cells and to localize Cx43. Endothelial Cx43 is differently expressed in the cortical plate, cerebral cortex and astrocytoma. Within the cortical plate and tumour, Cx43 is highly expressed in microvascular endothelial cells whereas it is virtually absent in the cerebral cortex microvessels. The high expression of the gap junction protein in developing brain, as well as in brain tumours, may be related to the growth status of the microvessels during brain and tumour angiogenesis. The lack of endothelial Cx43 in the cerebral cortex is in agreement with the characteristics of the mature brain en...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 27, 2007·The Journal of Membrane Biology·Maria Lúcia Zaidan Dagli, Francisco Javier Hernandez-Blazquez
Sep 5, 2008·Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology : the Official Journal of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology·Vladimir P ChekhoninOlga I Gurina
Apr 17, 2010·Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine·V P BaklaushevV P Chekhonin
Mar 21, 2006·Journal of Cellular Physiology·Kunihiko NagasawaNorimasa Sawada
Jan 25, 2008·Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine·V P ChekhoninO I Gurina
Feb 22, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Mariel G KozbergElizabeth M C Hillman
Apr 17, 2010·Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine·V P BaklaushevV P Chekhonin
Sep 18, 2004·Histochemistry and Cell Biology·Francesco GirolamoLuisa Roncali

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Astrocytes

Astrocytes are glial cells that support the blood-brain barrier, facilitate neurotransmission, provide nutrients to neurons, and help repair damaged nervous tissues. Here is the latest research.