Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
8
pubmed:dateCreated
2006-8-7
pubmed:abstractText
A genetic polymorphism in the human gene encoding connexin37 (CX37, encoded by GJA4, also known as CX37) has been reported as a potential prognostic marker for atherosclerosis. The expression of this gap-junction protein is altered in mouse and human atherosclerotic lesions: it disappears from the endothelium of advanced plaques but is detected in macrophages recruited to the lesions. The role of CX37 in atherogenesis, however, remains unknown. Here we have investigated the effect of deleting the mouse connexin37 (Cx37) gene (Gja4, also known as Cx37) on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe(-/-)) mice, an animal model of this disease. We find that Gja4(-/-)Apoe(-/-) mice develop more aortic lesions than Gja4(+/+)Apoe(-/-) mice that express Cx37. Using in vivo adoptive transfer, we show that monocyte and macrophage recruitment is enhanced by eliminating expression of Cx37 in these leukocytes but not by eliminating its expression in the endothelium. We further show that Cx37 hemichannel activity in primary monocytes, macrophages and a macrophage cell line (H36.12j) inhibits leukocyte adhesion. This antiadhesive effect is mediated by release of ATP into the extracellular space. Thus, Cx37 hemichannels may control initiation of the development of atherosclerotic plaques by regulating monocyte adhesion. H36.12j macrophages expressing either of the two CX37 proteins encoded by a polymorphism in the human GJA4 gene show differential ATP-dependent adhesion. These results provide a potential mechanism by which a polymorphism in CX37 protects against atherosclerosis.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
1078-8956
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
12
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
950-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Adenosine Triphosphate, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Adoptive Transfer, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Aorta, Thoracic, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Apolipoproteins E, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Atherosclerosis, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Cell Adhesion, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Cell Line, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Cells, Cultured, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Cholesterol, Dietary, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Connexins, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Crosses, Genetic, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Disease Models, Animal, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Endothelium, Vascular, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Extracellular Space, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Gene Expression Regulation, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Macrophages, Peritoneal, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Mice, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Mice, Inbred C57BL, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Mice, Knockout, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Monocytes, pubmed-meshheading:16862155-Polymorphism, Genetic
pubmed:year
2006
pubmed:articleTitle
Connexin37 protects against atherosclerosis by regulating monocyte adhesion.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural