Impact of Connexins on Atherogenesis: A Brief Review  

作　　者：Veronika A. Myasoedova Dongwei Zhang Reinhard Wetzker Andrey V. Grechko Alexander N. Orekhov 

机构地区：[1]Laboratory of Angiopathology,Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology,Moscow 125315,Russia [2]Dabetes Research Center,Traditional Chinese Medicine School,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing 100029,China [3]Klinik für Anasthesiologie und Intensivmedizin Universitatsklinikum Jena,Austria [4]Federal Scientific Clinical Center for Resuscitation and Rehabilitation,Moscow,Russia [5]Institute for Atherosclerosis Research,Skolkovo Innovative Center,Moscow 121609,Russia [6]Centre of Collective Use,Institute of Gene Biology,Moscow 121552,Russia

出　　处：《Journal of Integrative Medicine（双语）》2018年第2期12-19,共8页中西医结合杂志（英文）

基　　金：the Russian Science Foundation (Grant # 18-15-00254).

摘　　要：Connexins family in humans consists of 21 highly conserved proteins that are responsible for contact formation between cells. On the cell surface, connexins form hemichannels, or connexons. Two hemichannels brought together form a gap junction, a form of intercellular contact that allows for direct transfer of material and signals between the adjacent cells. Gap junctions serve for transporting ions and other soluble, low molecular weight molecules therefore synchronizing the microenvironment of the contacting cells and maintaining cell and tissue homeostasis. Impairment of gap junctions is associated with different pathological conditions. Importantly, it has been described in atherosclerosis, which causes local cellular dysfunction in the arterial wall tissues followed by the development of atherosclerotic plaque. There are 3 main connexins expressed in human cardiovascular system: Cx37, Cx40, and Cx43. Alterations in the arterial wall cells observed in atherosclerosis include changes in the expression pattern of the main connexins and impairment of intercellular contacts and communication. According to the currently available data, Cx37 and Cx40 have anti-atherogenic and vasculoprotective properties, while Cx43 appears to be more pro-atherogenic. However, the effects of connexins are cell type-dependent and in many cases, remain to be studied in detail. In this review, we summarize the available knowledge on connexins of the arterial wall cells involved in atherosclerosis development.

关 键 词：CONNEXIN Connexon Gap JUNCTION ATHEROSCLEROSIS VASCULAR wal 

分 类 号：R[医药卫生]