title: Remodeling of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions at the border zone of rat myocardial infarcts.
abstract: At the border zone of myocardial infarcts, surviving cardiomyocytes achieve drastic remodeling of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Spatiotemporal changes in these interactions are likely related to each other and possibly have significant impact on cardiac function. To elucidate the changes, we conducted experimental infarction in rats and performed 3-dimensional analysis of the localization of gap junctions (connexin43), desmosomes (desmoplakin), adherens junctions (cadherin), and integrins (beta(1)-integrin) by immunoconfocal microscopy. After myocardial infarction, changes in the distribution of gap junctions, desmosomes, and adherens junctions showed a similar but nonidentical tendency. In the early phase, gap junctions almost disappeared at stumps (longitudinal edges of cardiomyocytes facing the infarct), and, although desmosomes and adherens junctions decreased, they still remained. In the healing phase, at stumps, connexin43, desmoplakin, and cadherin were closely associated between multiple cell processes originating from a single cardiomyocyte. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of junctional complexes between the cell processes. beta(1)-Integrin at the cell process increased during the formation of papillary myotendinous junction-like structures. Abnormal localization of connexin43 was often accompanied by desmoplakin and cadherin on lateral surfaces of surviving cardiomyocytes. These findings suggested that remodeling of gap junction distribution was closely linked to changes in desmosomes and adherens junctions and that temporary formation of intracellular junctional complexes was an element of the remodeling of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions after myocardial infarction. Moreover, the remodeling of the intercalated disk region at the myocardial interface with area of scar tissues was associated with the acquisition of extracellular matrix and beta(1)-integrin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Cell Regulation, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oyamada
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takamatsu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000032:analysis; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D051180:Desmoplakins; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000032:analysis; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D018031:Connexin 43; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051180:Desmoplakins; D019012:Integrin beta1; D009124:Muscle Proteins