Connexin43 knockdown or overexpression modulates cell coupling in control and failing rabbit left ventricular myocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

We have shown that failing human and rabbit left ventricle (LV) exhibits downregulation and dephosphorylation of connexin43 (Cx43) and that Cx43 dephosphorylation in heart failure (HF) contributes to reduced cell coupling. However, the role of Cx43 downregulation per se in impaired coupling in HF is unclear.

Methods and results

First, we used adenovirus (Ad) encoding a Cx43 siRNA sequence to knock down Cx43 protein levels in cultured control rabbit LV myocytes. Cells cultured for up to 48 h with intermittent pacing maintained Cx43 protein levels and phosphorylation status. Cell coupling in Cx43 knockdown myocyte pairs (by Lucifer Yellow dye transfer) was markedly reduced after 24 h infection (associated with approximately 40% Cx43 knockdown) and after 48 h (associated w

SUBMITTER: Ai X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2860702 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature