Sharing signals: connecting lung epithelial cells with gap junction channels.
Gap junction channels enable the direct flow of signaling molecules and metabolites between cells. Alveolar epithelial cells show great variability in the expression of gap junction proteins (connexins) as a function of cell phenotype and cell state. Differential connexin expression and control by alveolar epithelial cells have the potential to enable these cells to regulate the extent of intercellular coupling in response to cell stress and to regulate surfactant secretion. However, defining the precise signals transmitted through gap junction channels and the cross talk between gap junctions and other signaling pathways has proven difficult. Insights from what is known about roles for gap junctions in other systems in the context of the connexin expression pattern by lung cells can be used to predict potential roles for gap junctional communication between alveolar epithelial cells.
Koval
Michael
M
Department of Physiology and Institute for Environmental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. mkoval@mail.med.upenn.edu
D000818:Animals; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000502:physiology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D007473:Ion Channels