title: Connexins, Pannexins, and Their Channels in Fibroproliferative Diseases.
abstract: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of wound healing, tissue repair, and fibrogenesis are established in different organs and are essential for the maintenance of function and tissue integrity after cell injury. These mechanisms are also involved in a plethora of fibroproliferative diseases or organ-specific fibrotic disorders, all of which are associated with the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components. Fibroblasts, which are key cells in tissue repair and fibrogenesis, rely on communicative cellular networks to ensure efficient control of these processes and to prevent abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix into the tissue. Despite the significant impact on human health, and thus the epidemiologic relevance, there is still no effective treatment for most fibrosis-related diseases. This paper provides an overview of current concepts and mechanisms involved in the participation of cellular communication via connexin-based pores as well as pannexin-based channels in the processes of tissue repair and fibrogenesis in chronic diseases. Understanding these mechanisms may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies to clinically manage fibroproliferative diseases and organ-specific fibrotic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cogliati
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mennecier
authors.affiliation: Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willebrords
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tereza Cristina
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michaël
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Isabel Veloso Alves
authors.initials: IVA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crespo-Yanguas
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Blazquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Lúcia Zaidan
authors.initials: MLZ
authors.lastname: Dagli
authors.affiliation: Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vinken
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D017630:Connexins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005347:Fibroblasts; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins
keywords: Cellular communication; Fibrosis; Fibrotic diseases; Tissue repair; Wound healing