title: Modulation of connexin43 alters expression of osteoblastic differentiation markers.
abstract: Gap junctional channels between cells provide a pathway for exchange of regulatory ions and small molecules. We previously demonstrated that expression of connexins and cell-to-cell communication parallel osteoblastic differentiation and that nonspecific pharmacological inhibitors of gap junctional communication inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity. In this study, we stably transfected connexin (Cx)43 antisense cDNA into the immortalized human fetal osteoblastic cell line hFOB 1.19 (hFOB/Cx43(-)). hFOB/Cx43(-) cells express lower levels of Cx43 protein and mRNA and display a 50% decrease in gap junctional intercellular communication relative to control [hFOB/plasmid vector control (pvc)]. This suggests that other connexins, such as Cx45, which is expressed to a similar degree in hFOB/Cx43(-) cells and hFOB/pvc cells, contribute to cell-to-cell communication in hFOB 1.19 cells. We observed almost total inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity in hFOB/Cx43(-) cells despite only a 50% decrease in cell-to-cell communication. This suggests the intriguing possibility that Cx43 expression per se, independent of cell-to-cell communication, influences alkaline phosphatase activity and perhaps bone cell differentiation. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed that mRNA levels for osteocalcin and core binding factor alpha1 (Cbfa1) increased as a function of time in hFOB/pvc but were inhibited in hFOB/Cx43(-). Osteopontin mRNA levels were increased in hFOB/Cx43(-) relative to hFOB/pvc and decreased as a function of time in both hFOB/Cx43(-) and hFOB/pvc. Transfection with Cx43 antisense did not affect expression of type I collagen in hFOB 1.19 cells. These results suggest that gap junctional intercellular communication and expression of Cx43 contribute to alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as osteocalcin, osteopontin, and Cbfa1 expression in osteoblastic cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine 500 University Dr., Hershey, 17033, USA. zhongyongli@psu.edu
authors.forename: Zhongyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhiyi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Marnie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.forename: Henry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Donahue
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053495:Osteopontin; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; C500216:GJA1 protein, human; C506895:SPP1 protein, human; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; C506896:Spp1 protein, mouse; C082920:connexin 45; D015675:Osteocalcin; D053495:Osteopontin; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase