International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences

| Peer-Reviewed |

The Role of Gap Junction in Regulating Vascular Function and Its Relationship with Hypertension

Received: Jun. 11, 2018    Accepted: Jul. 30, 2018    Published: Aug. 27, 2018
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Gap junction (GJ), also called as gap connection, communication connection, is a special membrane structure which consisted of connecting channels in two adjacent cells. Intercellular communication can be divided into indirect and direct communication. Direct communication is a cell-to-cell communication mediated by GJ between adjacent cells. Direct communication is also called as gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). Adjacent cells exchange information, energy, and substances by using direct communication. They participate in the metabolic coupling of cell-to-cell substances exchanges and the electrical coupling of electrical signals. They play important roles in regulating physiological processes including metabolism, homeostasis, proliferation, and vasodilation of vascular smooth muscle so on. This article will focus on introducing the progresses of studies on the morphology, structure and function of GJ in details. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. A blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is defined as hypertension. Hypertension and heart disease are global diseases. Hypertension was correlated with many factors, which contributed to hypertension by many mechanisms including sodium, potassium, Gap junction and so on. The studies on GJ and hypertension were also introduced in details, such as hypertension and expression of Cx, Ca2+ and GJ, Genetic Polymorphism of Cx40 and Hypertension.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14
Published in International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences ( Volume 4, Issue 3, May 2018 )
Page(s) 46-50
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Gap Junctions, Connexins, Cardiovascular System, Hypertension

References
[1] Corde Wit. Connexins pave the way for vascular communication [J]. News Physiol Sci, 2004, 19(3): 148-153.
[2] Dobrowolski R, Willecke K. Connexin-caused genetic diseases and corresponding mouse models [J]. Antioxid Redox Signal, 2009, 11(2): 283-295.
[3] Meens MJ, Pfenniger A, Kwak BR, et al. Regulation of cardiovascular connexins by mechanical forces and junctions [J]. Cardiovasc Res, 2013, 99(2):304-314.
[4] Bol M, Wang N, De Bock M, et al. At the cross-point of connexins, calcium, and ATP: blocking hemichannels inhibits vasoconstriction of rat small mesenteric arteries. Cardiovasc Res.2017; 113(2):195-206.
[5] Aasen T, Johnstone S, Vidal-Brime L, et al. Connexins: Synthesis, Post-Translational Modifications, and Trafficking in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2018, 26; 19(5). pii: E1296.
[6] Evans WH, Martin PE. Gap junctions: structure and function [J]. Mol Membr Biol, 2002, 19(2):121-136.
[7] Brisset A, Isakson B E, Kwak B R. Connexins in vascular physiology and pathology [J]. Antioxid Redox Signal, 2009, 11(2):267-282.
[8] Chadjichristos CE, Matter CM, Roth I, et al. Reduced connexin43 expression limits neointima formation after balloon distension injury in hypercholesterolemic mice [J]. Circulation, 2006, 113(24): 2835-2843.
[9] Ramos I, Duling B R. Ca2+ and inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate-mediated signaling across the myoendothelial junction [J]. Circ Res, 2007, 100(2):246-254.
[10] O, Donnell JJ 3rd, Birukova AA, Beyer EC, et al. Gap junction protein connexin43 exacerbates lung vascular permeability. PloS One, 2014, 9(6):e100931.
[11] Rimkute L, Kraujalis T, Snipas M, et al. Modulation of Connexin-36 Gap Junction Channels by Intracellular pH and Magnesium Ions. Front Physiol, 2018, 12; 9:362.
[12] Abed A, Toubas J, Kavvadas P, et al. Targeting connexin 43 protects against the progression of experimental chronic kidney disease in mice [J]. Kidney Int, 2014, 86(4):768-779.
[13] Tsang H, Leiper J, Hou Lao K, et al. Role of asymmetric methylarginine and connexin 43 in the regulation of pulmonary endothelial function [J]. Pulm Circ, 2013, 3(3):675-691.
[14] Lu WH, Hsieh KS, Lu PJ, et al. Different impacts of α- and β-blockers in neurogenic hypertension produced by brainstem lesions in rat [J]. Anesthesiology, 2014, 120(5):1192-1204.
[15] Figueroa XF, Isakson BE, Dining BR. Vascular gap junctions in hypertension [J]. Hypertension, 2006, 48(5): 804-811.
[16] Billaud M, Dahan D, Marthan R, et al. Role of the gap junctions in the contractile response to agonists in pulmonary artery from two rat models of pulmonary hypertension [J]. Respir Res, 2011, 12:30.
[17] Cowan DB, Lye SJ, Langille BL. Regulation of vascular connexin43 gene expression by mechanical loads [J]. Circ Res, 1998, 82(7):786-793.
[18] Dlugosova K, Mitasikova M, Bernatova I, et al. Reduced connexin-43 expression in the aorta of prehypertensive [J]. Physilo Res, 2008, 57(S2): S23-S29.
[19] Schmid VJ, Hilgert JG, Covi JM, et al. High flow conditions increase connexin43 expression in a rat arteriovenous and angioinductive loop model.PloS One, 2013, 8(11):e78782.
[20] de Wit C, Roos F, Bolz SS, et a1.Impaired conduction of vasodilation along arterioles in connexin 40-deficient mice [J]. Circ Res, 2000, 86(6):649-655.
[21] Kar R, Batra N, Riquelme M A, et al.Biological role of connexin intercellular channels and hemichannels [J]. Arch Biochem Biophys, 2012, 524(1); 2-15.
[22] Kurtz L, Schweda F, de Wit C, et al. Lack of connexin 40 causes displacement of renin-producing cells from afferent arterioles to the extraglomerular mesangium [J]. J Am Soc Nephrol, 2007, 18(4):1103-1111.
[23] Kurtz L, Madsen K, Kurt B, et al. High-level connexin expression in the human juxtaglomerular apparatus [J]. Nephron Physiol, 2010, 116(1):1-8.
[24] Le Gal L, Alonso F, Wagner C, et al. Restoration of connexin 40 (Cx40) in Renin-producing cells reduces the hypertension of Cx40 null mice [J]. Hypertension, 2014, 63(6):1198-1204.
[25] Krattinger N, Capponi A, Mazzolai L, et al. Connexin40 regulates renin production and blood pressure [J]. Kidney Int, 2007, 72(7):814-822.
[26] Wagner C, de Wit C, Kurtz L, et al. Connexin40 is essential for the pressure control of renin synthesis and secretion [J]. Circ Res, 2007, 100(4):556-563.
[27] Wagner C, Jobs A, Schweda F, et al. Selective deletion of Connexin 40 in renin-producing cells impairs renal baroreceptor function and is associated with arterial hypertension [J]. Kidney Int, 2010, 8(8):762-768.
[28] Schmidt VJ, Jobs A, von Maltzahn J, et al. Connexin45 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle but its function remains elusive. PLoS One, 2012, 7(7):e42287.
[29] Haefliger JA, Krattinger N, Martin D, et al. Connexin43-dependent mechanism modulates renin secretion and hypertension [J]. J Clin Invest, 2006, 116(2): 405-413.
[30] Tan LL, Li L, Liu LM, et al. Effect of RAAS antagonist on the expression of gap junction cx43 in myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rat. Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban.2013, 44(4):531-535, 549. Chinese.
[31] Sahu G, Bera AK. Contribution of intracellular calcium and pH in ischemic uncoupling of cardiac gap junction channels formed of connexins 43, 40, and 45: a critical function of C-terminal domain. PLoS One, 2013, 8(3):e60506.
[32] Halidi N, Alonso F, Burt J M, et al. Intercellular calcium waves in primary cultured rat mesenteric smooth muscle cells are mediated by connexin43 [J]. Cell Commun Adhes, 2012, 19(2):25-37.
[33] Pogoda K, Fuller M, Pohl U, et al. NO, via its target Cx37, modulates calcium signal propagation selectively at myoendothelial gap junctions [J]. Cell Commun Signal, 2014, 12:33.
[34] Thimm J, Mechler A, Lin H, et al. Calcium-dependent open/closed conformations and interfacial energy maps of reconstituted hemichannels [J]. J Biol Chem.2005, 280(11):10646 -10654.
[35] Lubkemeier I, Machura K, Kurtz L, et al. The connexin 40 A96S mutation causes renin-dependent hypertension [J]. J Am Soc Nephrol, 2011, 22(6):1031-1040.
[36] Grayson TH. Is Cx40 a marker for hypertension? [J]. Hypertens, 2006, 24(2): 279-280.
[37] Firouzi M, Kok B, Spiering W, et al. Polymorphisms in human connexin40 gene promoter are associated with increased risk of hypertension in men [J]. Hypertens, 2006, 24(2):325-330.
[38] Firouzi M, Bierhuizen MF, Kok B, et al. The human Cx40 promoter polymorphism -44G→A differentially affects transcriptional regulation by Spl and GATA4 [J]. Biochim Biophys Acta, 2006, 1759(10):491-496.
[39] de Wit C, Roos E, Bolz SS, et al. Lack of vascular connexin 40 is associated with hypertension and irregular arteriolar vasomotion [J]. Physiol Genom, 2003, 13(2):169-177.
[40] Jobs A, Schmidt K, Schmidt VJ, et al. Defective Cx40 maintains Cx37 expression but intact Cx40 is crucial for conducted dilations irrespective of hypertension [J]. Hypertension, 2012, 60(6):1422-1429.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Jian Hu, Shiying Liu, Yuanzhi Qiu. (2018). The Role of Gap Junction in Regulating Vascular Function and Its Relationship with Hypertension. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences, 4(3), 46-50. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Jian Hu; Shiying Liu; Yuanzhi Qiu. The Role of Gap Junction in Regulating Vascular Function and Its Relationship with Hypertension. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med. Sci. 2018, 4(3), 46-50. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Jian Hu, Shiying Liu, Yuanzhi Qiu. The Role of Gap Junction in Regulating Vascular Function and Its Relationship with Hypertension. Int J Clin Exp Med Sci. 2018;4(3):46-50. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14,
      author = {Jian Hu and Shiying Liu and Yuanzhi Qiu},
      title = {The Role of Gap Junction in Regulating Vascular Function and Its Relationship with Hypertension},
      journal = {International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences},
      volume = {4},
      number = {3},
      pages = {46-50},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcems.20180403.14},
      abstract = {Gap junction (GJ), also called as gap connection, communication connection, is a special membrane structure which consisted of connecting channels in two adjacent cells. Intercellular communication can be divided into indirect and direct communication. Direct communication is a cell-to-cell communication mediated by GJ between adjacent cells. Direct communication is also called as gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). Adjacent cells exchange information, energy, and substances by using direct communication. They participate in the metabolic coupling of cell-to-cell substances exchanges and the electrical coupling of electrical signals. They play important roles in regulating physiological processes including metabolism, homeostasis, proliferation, and vasodilation of vascular smooth muscle so on. This article will focus on introducing the progresses of studies on the morphology, structure and function of GJ in details. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. A blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is defined as hypertension. Hypertension and heart disease are global diseases. Hypertension was correlated with many factors, which contributed to hypertension by many mechanisms including sodium, potassium, Gap junction and so on. The studies on GJ and hypertension were also introduced in details, such as hypertension and expression of Cx, Ca2+ and GJ, Genetic Polymorphism of Cx40 and Hypertension.},
     year = {2018}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - The Role of Gap Junction in Regulating Vascular Function and Its Relationship with Hypertension
    AU  - Jian Hu
    AU  - Shiying Liu
    AU  - Yuanzhi Qiu
    Y1  - 2018/08/27
    PY  - 2018
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14
    T2  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
    JF  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
    JO  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
    SP  - 46
    EP  - 50
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2469-8032
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20180403.14
    AB  - Gap junction (GJ), also called as gap connection, communication connection, is a special membrane structure which consisted of connecting channels in two adjacent cells. Intercellular communication can be divided into indirect and direct communication. Direct communication is a cell-to-cell communication mediated by GJ between adjacent cells. Direct communication is also called as gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). Adjacent cells exchange information, energy, and substances by using direct communication. They participate in the metabolic coupling of cell-to-cell substances exchanges and the electrical coupling of electrical signals. They play important roles in regulating physiological processes including metabolism, homeostasis, proliferation, and vasodilation of vascular smooth muscle so on. This article will focus on introducing the progresses of studies on the morphology, structure and function of GJ in details. Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. A blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is defined as hypertension. Hypertension and heart disease are global diseases. Hypertension was correlated with many factors, which contributed to hypertension by many mechanisms including sodium, potassium, Gap junction and so on. The studies on GJ and hypertension were also introduced in details, such as hypertension and expression of Cx, Ca2+ and GJ, Genetic Polymorphism of Cx40 and Hypertension.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Geriatrics, the People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China

  • Department of Geriatrics, the People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China

  • Department of Geriatrics, the People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, China

  • Section