| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
University of Wales College of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and
* Wales Heart Research Institute, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, U.K.
1Correspondence: Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Level 7, Upper Maudlin St., Bristol BS2 8HW, England, U.K. E-mail: e.oviedo-orta{at}bristol.ac.uk
Connexins (Cx), the protein subunits assembled into gap junction
intercellular communication channels, are expressed in primary lymphoid
organs and by circulating leukocytes. Human tonsil-derived T and B
lymphocytes express Cx40 and 43; circulating human T, B, and NK
lymphocytes express Cx43 and directly transfer between each other a low
molecular dye indicative that functional gap junctions exist. We now
identify specific properties in the immune system underwritten by gap
junctions. Mixed lymphocytes cultured in the presence of two reagents
with independent inhibitory action on gap junction communication, a
connexin mimetic peptide and 18-
-glycyrrhetinic acid, markedly
reduced the secretion of IgM, IgG, and IgA. The secretion of these
immunoglobulins by purified B cells was also reduced by the two classes
of gap junction inhibitors. Complex temporal inhibitory effects on the
expression of mRNA encoding interleukins, especially IL-10, were also
observed. The results indicate that intercellular signaling across gap
junctions is an important component of the mechanisms underlying
metabolic cooperation in the immune system.—Oviedo-Orta, E., Gasque,
P., Evans, W. H. Immunoglobulin and cytokine expression in mixed
lymphocyte cultures is reduced by disruption of gap junction
intercellular communication.
Key Words: connexins • intercellular communication • interleukins • mimetic peptides • interferon gamma
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  A. Bermudez-Fajardo, M. Yliharsila, W. H. Evans, A. C. Newby, and E. Oviedo-Orta CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets express connexin 43 and establish gap junction channel communication with macrophages in vitro J. Leukoc. Biol., September 1, 2007; 82(3): 608 - 612. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Mendoza-Naranjo, P. J. Saez, C. C. Johansson, M. Ramirez, D. Mandakovic, C. Pereda, M. N. Lopez, R. Kiessling, J. C. Saez, and F. Salazar-Onfray Functional Gap Junctions Facilitate Melanoma Antigen Transfer and Cross-Presentation between Human Dendritic Cells J. Immunol., June 1, 2007; 178(11): 6949 - 6957. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Mori, K. T. Power, C. M. Wang, P. Martin, and D. L. Becker Acute downregulation of connexin43 at wound sites leads to a reduced inflammatory response, enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and wound fibroblast migration J. Cell Sci., December 15, 2006; 119(24): 5193 - 5203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Matsue, J. Yao, K. Matsue, A. Nagasaka, H. Sugiyama, R. Aoki, M. Kitamura, and S. Shimada Gap Junction-Mediated Intercellular Communication between Dendritic Cells (DCs) Is Required for Effective Activation of DCs J. Immunol., January 1, 2006; 176(1): 181 - 190. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. W Wong, T. Christen, and B. R Kwak Connexins in leukocytes: shuttling messages? Cardiovasc Res, May 1, 2004; 62(2): 357 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. C. SAEZ, V. M. BERTHOUD, M. C. BRANES, A. D. MARTINEZ, and E. C. BEYER Plasma Membrane Channels Formed by Connexins: Their Regulation and Functions Physiol Rev, October 1, 2003; 83(4): 1359 - 1400. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Oviedo-Orta and W. H. Evans Gap junctions and connexins: potential contributors to the immunological synapse J. Leukoc. Biol., October 1, 2002; 72(4): 636 - 642. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
