title: Intercellular communication in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Cell-to-cell communication is a process necessary for physiological tissue homeostasis and appears often altered during disease. Gap junction channels, formed by connexins, allow the direct intercellular communication between adjacent cells. After a brief review of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, we will discuss the role of connexins throughout the different stages of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burnier
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angelillo-Scherrer
authors.forename: Brenda R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Kwak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002450:Cell Communication; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins