Titration of the gap junction protein Connexin43 reduces atherogenesis

Sandrine Morel; Marc Chanson; Thien D. Nguyen; Aaron M. Glass; Maya Z. Richani Sarieddine; Merlijn J. Meens; Laurent Burnier; Brenda R. Kwak; Steven M. Taffet

doi:10.1160/TH13-09-0773

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2014; 112(02): 390-401
DOI: 10.1160/TH13-09-0773

Cardiovascular Biology and Cell Signalling

Schattauer GmbH

Titration of the gap junction protein Connexin43 reduces atherogenesis

Authors

Sandrine Morel

¹Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

²Department of Internal Medicine – Division of Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Marc Chanson

³Laboratory of Clinical Investigation III, Department of Pediatrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Thien D. Nguyen

⁴Department of Microbiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
Aaron M. Glass

⁴Department of Microbiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
Maya Z. Richani Sarieddine

³Laboratory of Clinical Investigation III, Department of Pediatrics, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Merlijn J. Meens

¹Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

²Department of Internal Medicine – Division of Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Laurent Burnier

¹Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

²Department of Internal Medicine – Division of Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Brenda R. Kwak

¹Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

²Department of Internal Medicine – Division of Cardiology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Steven M. Taffet

⁴Department of Microbiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA

Abstract

Summary

Ubiquitous reduction of the gap junction protein Connexin43 (Cx43) in mice provides beneficial effects on progression and composition of atherosclerotic lesions. Cx43 is expressed in multiple atheroma-associated cells but its function in each cell type is not known. To examine specifically the role of Cx43 in immune cells, we have lethally irradiated low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice and reconstituted with Cx43^+/+, Cx43^+/− or Cx43^−/− haematopoietic fetal liver cells. Progression of atherosclerosis was significantly lower in aortic roots of Cx43^+/− chimeras compared with Cx43^+/+ and Cx43^−/− chimeras, and their plaques contained significantly less neutrophils. The relative proportion of circulating leukocytes was similar between the three groups. Interestingly, the chemoattraction of neutrophils, which did not express Cx43, was reduced in response to supernatant secreted by Cx43^+/− macrophages in comparison with the ones of Cx43^+/+ and Cx43^−/− macrophages. Cx43^+/− macrophages did not differ from Cx43^+/+ and Cx43^−/− macrophages in terms of M1/M2 polarisation but show modified gene expression for a variety chemokines and complement components. In conclusion, titration of Cx43 expression in bone marrow-derived macrophages reduces atherosclerotic plaque formation and chemoattraction of neutrophils to the lesions.

Keywords

Atherosclerosis - Connexin43 - neutrophils - macrophages

Full Text

References

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