Remodeling of Cardiac Gap Junctional Cell-Cell Coupling. 2021

Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
Institute for Pharmacology, University Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

The heart works as a functional syncytium, which is realized via cell-cell coupling maintained by gap junction channels. These channels connect two adjacent cells, so that action potentials can be transferred. Each cell contributes a hexameric hemichannel (=connexon), formed by protein subuntis named connexins. These hemichannels dock to each other and form the gap junction channel. This channel works as a low ohmic resistor also allowing the passage of small molecules up to 1000 Dalton. Connexins are a protein family comprising of 21 isoforms in humans. In the heart, the main isoforms are Cx43 (the 43 kDa connexin; ubiquitous), Cx40 (mostly in atrium and specific conduction system), and Cx45 (in early developmental states, in the conduction system, and between fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes). These gap junction channels are mainly located at the polar region of the cardiomyocytes and thus contribute to the anisotropic pattern of cardiac electrical conductivity. While in the beginning the cell-cell coupling was considered to be static, similar to an anatomically defined structure, we have learned in the past decades that gap junctions are also subject to cardiac remodeling processes in cardiac disease such as atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, or cardiomyopathy. The underlying remodeling processes include the modulation of connexin expression by e.g., angiotensin, endothelin, or catecholamines, as well as the modulation of the localization of the gap junctions e.g., by the direction and strength of local mechanical forces. A reduction in connexin expression can result in a reduced conduction velocity. The alteration of gap junction localization has been shown to result in altered pathways of conduction and altered anisotropy. In particular, it can produce or contribute to non-uniformity of anisotropy, and thereby can pre-form an arrhythmogenic substrate. Interestingly, these remodeling processes seem to be susceptible to certain pharmacological treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006331 Heart Diseases Pathological conditions involving the HEART including its structural and functional abnormalities. Cardiac Disorders,Heart Disorders,Cardiac Diseases,Cardiac Disease,Cardiac Disorder,Heart Disease,Heart Disorder
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017629 Gap Junctions Connections between cells which allow passage of small molecules and electric current. Gap junctions were first described anatomically as regions of close apposition between cells with a narrow (1-2 nm) gap between cell membranes. The variety in the properties of gap junctions is reflected in the number of CONNEXINS, the family of proteins which form the junctions. Gap Junction,Junction, Gap,Junctions, Gap
D017630 Connexins A group of homologous proteins which form the intermembrane channels of GAP JUNCTIONS. The connexins are the products of an identified gene family which has both highly conserved and highly divergent regions. The variety contributes to the wide range of functional properties of gap junctions. Connexin,Connexin Complex Proteins,Gap Junction Proteins,Gap Junction Channel Proteins,Gap Junction Protein,Junction Protein, Gap,Junction Proteins, Gap
D066253 Vascular Remodeling The active alterations of vascular wall structures, often leading to elevated VASCULAR RESISTANCE. It is associated with AGING; ATHEROSCLEROSIS; DIABETES MELLITUS; HYPERTENSION; PREGNANCY; PULMONARY HYPERTENSION; and STROKE, but is also a normal part of EMBRYOGENESIS. Pulmonary Arterial Remodeling,Arterial Remodeling, Pulmonary,Arterial Remodelings, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Arterial Remodelings,Remodeling, Pulmonary Arterial,Remodeling, Vascular,Remodelings, Pulmonary Arterial,Remodelings, Vascular,Vascular Remodelings

Related Publications

Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
May 2002, Journal of the American College of Cardiology,
Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
January 2021, Frontiers in cellular neuroscience,
Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
February 2000, Experimental cell research,
Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
July 1987, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
September 2004, Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research,
Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
August 1996, The American journal of physiology,
Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
December 1998, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
Stefan Dhein, and Aida Salameh
January 2010, Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference,
Copied contents to your clipboard!