title: Connexin gap junction channels and chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: Gap junction channels are formed by connexin (Cx) proteins. These channels facilitate communication between adjacent cells, and some have been implicated in acute and chronic inflammation. We investigated whether altered connexin expression could be associated with the inflammatory changes of the sinonasal mucosa that characterize chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Our aims were first to screen normal sinus mucosa to determine the expression profile of the connexin family of genes, and second to compare the level of expression of 3 key connexins (Cx26, Cx30, and Cx43) in CRS and normal sinus mucosa. These 3 connexins have been implicated in lower airway epithelial cell repair, as well as chronic and acute cutaneous wounds.
  
  
  
  Sinus mucosa biopsies were taken from 11 patients with CRS undergoing sinus surgery and from 7 controls with normal sinuses undergoing transnasal pituitary surgery. Gene expression study of the connexin family was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Subsequent targeted quantitative analyses were done using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and fluorescent immunohistochemistry (IHC).
  
  
  
  A total of 16 different connexin genes were expressed in the normal mucosa including Cx26, Cx30, and Cx43. The qPCR demonstrated increased abundance of Cx26 (p = 0.005), Cx30 (p = 0.07), and Cx43 (p = 0.04) in CRS compared to control mucosa. IHC confirmed significantly higher levels of Cx43 in CRS (p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  The majority of the connexin family is expressed in normal sinus mucosa. Expression of 3 selected connexins was found elevated in CRS mucosa. Connexin gap junction modulation may offer a novel therapeutic target for CRS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical and Health Science, and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical and Health Science, and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Faculty of Medical and Health Science, and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|CoDa Therapeutics Inc, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Douglas
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins
keywords: chronic inflammation; chronic rhinosinusitis; connexins; gap junctions; intercellular communication