title: Three-dimensional visualization of connexin 43 on the human cardiomyocytes.
abstract: Gap junctions created by a family of connexin proteins play an important role in the development of human heart. It has been previously shown that the abnormalities of right ventricular outflow tract are related to an altered level of expression of connexin 43. The right ventricular outflow tract narrowing, stenosis, or atresia of the main pulmonary artery and hypertrophy of the right ventricle are observed in tetralogy of Fallot. The aim of the current study was to determine the distribution of connexin 43 on the surface of human cardiomyocytes obtained during reparative surgery for tetralogy of Fallot. Connexin 43 distribution in these cells was compared with distribution of connexin 43 in cardiomyocytes obtained from patients without right ventricular outflow tract pathology. Cardiomyocytes isolated from tissue biopsy were cultured on collagen substratum, fixed with paraformaldehyde, and incubated with goat antihuman connexin 43 antibodies and secondary donkey antigoat antibodies conjugated with fluorescent indocarbocyanine. Z-series of optical sections were recorded using a laser scanning confocal microscope. Three-dimensional data stacks were visualized using volume-rendering techniques. Images of connexin 43 fluorescence revealed a pattern of three-dimensional distribution of connexin on the surface of an individual cardiomyocyte. Cardiomyocytes from tetralogy of Fallot and hearts with normal right ventricular outflow tract differ in the organization of connexin 43. Cardiomyocytes from tetralogy of Fallot hearts revealed disturbed distribution of connexin 43. The protein is located irregularly on the entire surface of the cell. In the controls, connexin 43 can be visualized within the intercalated disks only. These disturbances may influence heart maturation, cause hypertrophy of the right ventricle, and induce severe arrhythmias in children with tetralogy of Fallot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Polish-American Children's Hospital, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kołcz
authors.forename: Bartłomiej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rajwa
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drukała
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dobrucki
authors.forename: Włodzimierz
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Korohoda
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Malec
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43