Upregulation and co-localization of connexin43 and cellular adhesion molecules in inflammatory renal disease.
Connexin43 (Cx43) is a major component of gap junctions. These are widely distributed in the human kidney and are thought to be involved in the inflammatory response and in the regulation of cell growth. Cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) are also thought to be important in these processes, where they possibly facilitate gap junction formation. The aims of the current study were to define for the first time the expression of Cx43 in inflammatory glomerulonephritis and to compare the localization of this connexin with that of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. Human renal biopsies and control sections of normal human kidney were stained using the alkaline phosphatase/anti-alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical technique, demonstrating that Cx43 was strongly expressed on inflammatory cells, on damaged tubular cells, and on interstitial cells. This pattern of expression was paralleled closely by that of ICAM-1 and, to a lesser extent, by that of VCAM-1. Cx43 is therefore primarily implicated in tubulointerstitial inflammation.
Hillis
G S
GS
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, U.K.
Duthie
L A
LA
Brown
P A
PA
Simpson
J G
JG
MacLeod
A M
AM
Haites
N E
NE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D018031:Connexin 43; D019040:E-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1