[Effect of transfected Cx43 gene on the gap junction intercellular communication and the human glioma cells proliferation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of connexin 43 (Cx43) gene in the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and the development of glioma so as to demonstrate the feasibility of using Cx43cDNA as the target of gene therapy for gliomas.


METHODS
TJ905 human glioblastoma cell line without Cx43 gene expression was transfected with Cx43cDNA mediated by lipofectamine. Northern blot, in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry were used for examination of Cx43mRNA and its protein examination; MTT assay and silver colloid stain were used to detect cell proliferation. TUNEL method was used to determine the cell apoptosis. Scrape loading dye transfer (SLDT) was used to monitor GJIC.


RESULTS
The TJ905 transfectants resulted in dramatic upregulation of Cx43mRNA and its protein, with the GJIC of transfected glioma cells restored. Clones with high Cx43 expression also showed reduced proliferation in vitro. However, the cell apoptosis did not increase following the transfection with Cx43 gene.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that Cx gene and gap junction intercellular communication are of crucial importance in malignant glioma cell growth and development. Cx43 gene may be a target for gene therapy of gliomas.
Xia
Z
Z
Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Pu
P
P
Huang
Q
Q
D015152:Blotting, Northern / Q000379:methods; D001932:Brain Neoplasms; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D005909:Glioblastoma; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D014162:Transfection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D018031:Connexin 43