Regulation of connexin 43 by interleukin 1β in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts and effects in an adult rat cardiac myocyte: fibroblast co-culture model.

ABSTRACT: Connexin 43 expression (Cx43) is increased in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) following myocardial infarction. Here, potential mediators responsible for increasing Cx43 expression and effects of differential CF phenotype on cardiac myocyte (CM) function were investigated. Stimulating adult rat CFs with proinflammatory mediators revealed that interleukin 1β (IL-1β) significantly enhanced Cx43 levels through the IL-1β pathway. Additionally, IL-1β reduced mRNA levels of the myofibroblast (MF) markers: (i) connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and (ii) α smooth muscle actin (αSMA), compared to control CFs. A co-culture adult rat CM:CF model was utilised to examine cell-to-cell interactions. Transfer of calcein from CMs to underlying CFs suggested functional gap junction formation. Functional analys

SUBMITTER: McArthur L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6940628 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature