Expression of connexin 43 and functional modulation of gap junction in neonatal rat astrocytes in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) protein and explore the functional modulation of gap junction intercellular communication in astrocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured neonatal SD rat astrocytes were divided into normal control group, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) group (treated with 10 µmol/L ATRA for 24 h) and oleamide group (treated with 25 µmol/L oleamide for 2 h). Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect total cellular Cx43 protein expression and Cx43 expression on the surface of the astrocytes, respectively. Parachute assay was used to evaluate the functional changes of gap junction intercellular communication of the astrocytes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control cells, ATRA treatment resulted in a significantly increased expression of total Cx43 protein in the astrocytes (P<0.01), and oleamide significantly suppressed its expression (P<0.01). Similarly, ATRA obviously enhanced while oleamide suppressed Cx43 protein expression on the surface of the astrocytes. The gap junction intercellular communication of the astrocytes was enhanced by ATRA (P<0.01) and inhibited by oleamide (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ATRA and oleamide can modulate gap junction intercellular communication of the astrocytes possibly by regulating the expression of Cx43 protein.</p>