Role of gap junctions modulating hepatic vascular tone in cirrhosis

Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver
Manuel Hernández-GuerraEnrique Quintero

Abstract

Gap junctions are formed by connexins (Cx), a family of proteins that couple endothelial and smooth muscle cells in systemic vessels. In this context, Cx allow the transmission of signals modulating vascular tone. Recently, vascular Cx have been observed in liver cells implicated in liver blood flow regulation. Here, we investigated the role of Cx in the regulation of intrahepatic vascular tone in cirrhosis. Livers of Sprague-Dawley control and cirrhotic (common bile duct ligation-CBDL and CCl4 ) rats were perfused, and concentration-effect curves in response to acetylcholine (ACh) precontracted with methoxamine were obtained in the presence of the specific Cx inhibitor 18-alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid or vehicle. Cx expression was assessed by immunofluorescence, western blot and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in liver tissue, hepatic stellate cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes isolated from control and cirrhotic rat livers. Cx protein expression was also determined in cirrhotic human tissue. Gap junction blockade markedly attenuated relaxation of hepatic vasculature in response to ACh in control (maximal relaxation, -55 ± 10.5% vs. -95.3 ± 10% with vehicle; P < 0.01) and CBDL rats (50.9 ± 18.5% vs...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 24, 2016·Cell Communication & Adhesion·Joost WillebrordsMathieu Vinken
Jun 9, 2015·Translational Research : the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine·Michaël MaesMathieu Vinken
Jun 19, 2015·Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS·Michaël MaesMathieu Vinken
Feb 26, 2016·The Journal of Membrane Biology·Bruno CogliatiMathieu Vinken
Jul 9, 2016·Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·Joost WillebrordsMathieu Vinken
Oct 10, 2018·Hepatology : Official Journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases·Axelle CooremanMathieu Vinken
Jun 23, 2020·Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews·Kaat LeroyMathieu Vinken
Jan 14, 2017·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Sebastian Mueller
Mar 15, 2018·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Sara Crespo YanguasMathieu Vinken
Sep 11, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Axelle CooremanMathieu Vinken
Sep 29, 2019·World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG·Huan LiXiao-Ming Liu
Feb 15, 2021·Translational Research : the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine·Shlok JindalGopinath Packirisamy

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