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Role of Non-Myocyte Gap Junctions and Connexin Hemichannels in Cardiovascular Health and Disease: Novel Therapeutic Targets?
- Source :
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 19, Iss 3, p 866 (2018), International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2018.
-
Abstract
- The heart is a complex organ composed of multiple cell types, including cardiomyocytes and different non-myocyte populations, all working closely together to determine the hearts properties and maintain normal cardiac function. Connexins are abundantly expressed proteins that form plasma membrane hemichannels and gap junctions between cells. Gap junctions are intracellular channels that allow for communication between cells, and in the heart they play a crucial role in cardiac conduction by coupling adjacent cardiomyocytes. Connexins are expressed in both cardiomyocytes and non-myocytes, including cardiac fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages. Non-myocytes are the largest population of cells in the heart, and therefore it is important to consider what roles connexins, hemichannels, and gap junctions play in these cell types. The aim of this review is to provide insight into connexin-based signalling in non-myocytes during health and disease, and highlight how targeting these proteins could lead to the development of novel therapies. We conclude that connexins in non-myocytes contribute to arrhythmias and adverse ventricular remodelling following myocardial infarction, and are associated with the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, therapeutic interventions targeting these connexins represent an exciting new research avenue with great potential.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
connexin
Connexin
Review
030204 cardiovascular system & hematology
Connexins
fibroblast
lcsh:Chemistry
0302 clinical medicine
cardiovascular disease
Medicine
Myocyte
Macrophage
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Myofibroblasts
non-myocyte
lcsh:QH301-705.5
Spectroscopy
education.field_of_study
Gap junction
Gap Junctions
General Medicine
Computer Science Applications
Cell biology
Cardiovascular Diseases
medicine.symptom
Cell type
hemichannel
Population
Inflammation
macrophage
Catalysis
Inorganic Chemistry
gap junction
03 medical and health sciences
Cardiac conduction
endothelial
Animals
Humans
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
education
Molecular Biology
business.industry
Organic Chemistry
therapeutic
030104 developmental biology
lcsh:Biology (General)
lcsh:QD1-999
inflammation
business
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14220067
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....38cfa7be8105d5afe6dbaff872efed42