title: Pannexin channel and connexin hemichannel expression in vascular function and inflammation.
abstract: Control of blood flow distribution and tissue homeostasis depend on the tight regulation of and coordination between the microvascular network and circulating blood cells. Channels formed by connexins or pannexins that connect the intra- and extracellular compartments allow the release of paracrine signals, such as ATP and prostaglandins, and thus play a central role in achieving fine regulation and coordination of vascular function. This review focuses on vascular connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels. We review their expression pattern within the arterial and venous system with a special emphasis on how post-translational modifications by phosphorylation and S-nitrosylation of these channels modulate their function and contribute to vascular homeostasis. Furthermore, we highlight the contribution of these channels in smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in the regulation of vasomotor tone as well as how these channels in endothelial cells regulate inflammatory responses such as during ischemic and hypoxic conditions. In addition, this review will touch on recent evidence implicating a role for these proteins in regulating red blood cell and platelet function.
authors.affiliation: Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Begandt
authors.affiliation: Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Miranda E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Good
authors.affiliation: Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Alex S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Leon J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: DeLalio
authors.affiliation: Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rowley
authors.affiliation: Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.|Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Brant E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Isakson
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. xfigueroa@bio.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Xavier F
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Figueroa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D017630:Connexins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins
keywords: Connexins; Endothelium; Inflammation; Pannexins; Smooth muscle; Vasculature