title: Gap junction signalling is a stress-regulated component of adrenal neuroendocrine stimulus-secretion coupling in vivo.
abstract: Elucidating the mechanisms whereby neuroendocrine tissues coordinate their input and output signals to ensure appropriate hormone secretion is currently a topical issue. In particular, whether a direct communication mediated by gap junctions between neurosecretory cells contributes to hormone release in vivo still remains unknown. Here we address this issue using a microsurgical approach allowing combined monitoring of adrenal catecholamine secretion and splanchnic nerve stimulation in anaesthetised mice. Pharmacological blockade of adrenal gap junctions by the uncoupling agent carbenoxolone reduces nerve stimulation-evoked catecholamine release in control mice and to a larger extent in stressed mice. In parallel, the gap junction-coupled cell network is extended in stressed mice. Altogether, this argues for a significant contribution of adrenomedullary gap junctions to catecholamine secretion in vivo. As such, gap junctional signalling appears to be a substantial component for neuroendocrine function in the adrenal medulla, as it may represent an additional lever regulating hormone release.
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UMR-5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier F-34094, France [2] INSERM, U661, Montpellier F-34094, France [3] Universités de Montpellier 1 & 2, UMR-5203, Montpellier F-34094, France [4].
authors.forename: Michel G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Desarménien
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UMR-5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Montpellier F-34094, France [2] INSERM, U661, Montpellier F-34094, France [3] Universités de Montpellier 1 & 2, UMR-5203, Montpellier F-34094, France [4].
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jourdan
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Integrated Neurovascular and Mitochondrial Biology, Angers F-49045, France [2] CNRS UMR6214, Angers F-49045, France [3] INSERM U1083, Angers F-49045, France [4] University of Angers, Angers F-49045, France.
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toutain
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Integrated Neurovascular and Mitochondrial Biology, Angers F-49045, France [2] CNRS UMR6214, Angers F-49045, France [3] INSERM U1083, Angers F-49045, France [4] University of Angers, Angers F-49045, France.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vessières
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
authors.forename: Sheriar G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Hormuzdi
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Integrated Neurovascular and Mitochondrial Biology, Angers F-49045, France [2] CNRS UMR6214, Angers F-49045, France [3] INSERM U1083, Angers F-49045, France [4] University of Angers, Angers F-49045, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Guérineau
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002229:Carbenoxolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013153:Splanchnic Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D000097004:Gap Junction delta-2 Protein
chemical_list: D002229:Carbenoxolone; D002395:Catecholamines; D017630:Connexins; D007546:Isoquinolines; D000097004:Gap Junction delta-2 Protein; C017475:lucifer yellow