title: Gap junction proteins and their role in spinal cord injury.
abstract: Gap junctions are specialized intercellular communication channels that are formed by two hexameric connexin hemichannels, one provided by each of the two adjacent cells. Gap junctions and hemichannels play an important role in regulating cellular metabolism, signaling, and functions in both normal and pathological conditions. Following spinal cord injury (SCI), there is damage and disturbance to the neuronal elements of the spinal cord including severing of axon tracts and rapid cell death. The initial mechanical disruption is followed by multiple secondary cascades that cause further tissue loss and dysfunction. Recent studies have implicated connexin proteins as playing a critical role in the secondary phase of SCI by propagating death signals through extensive glial networks. In this review, we bring together past and current studies to outline the distribution, changes and roles of various connexins found in neurons and glial cells, before and in response to SCI. We discuss the contribution of pathologically activated connexin proteins, in particular connexin 43, to functional recovery and neuropathic pain, as well as providing an update on potential connexin specific pharmacological agents to treat SCI.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Ryan S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tonkin
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Yilin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy with Radiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: O'Carroll
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy with Radiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Louise F B
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Colin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: School of Medical and Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gorrie
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Gila
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moalem-Taylor
keywords: connexins; gap junctions; hemichannels; neuropathic pain; spinal cord injury