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Connexin‐mediated communication controls cell proliferation and is essential in retinal histogenesis
Author(s) -
Kihara Alexandre H.,
Santos Taisa O.,
OsunaMelo Edgard J.,
Paschon Vera,
Vidal Kallene S.M.,
Akamine Priscilla S.,
Castro Leandro M.,
Resende Rodrigo R.,
Hamassaki Dânia E.,
Britto Luiz R.G.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.09.006
Subject(s) - connexin , histogenesis , retinal , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , retina , carbenoxolone , cell growth , progenitor cell , apoptosis , gap junction , neuroscience , stem cell , immunohistochemistry , immunology , genetics , botany , intracellular
Connexin (Cx) channels and hemichannels are involved in essential processes during nervous system development such as apoptosis, propagation of spontaneous activity and interkinetic nuclear movement. In the first part of this study, we extensively characterized Cx gene and protein expression during retinal histogenesis. We observed distinct spatio‐temporal patterns among studied Cx and an overriding, ubiquitous presence of Cx45 in progenitor cells. The role of Cx‐mediated communication was assessed by using broad‐spectrum (carbenoxolone, CBX) and Cx36/Cx50 channel‐specific (quinine) blockers. In vivo application of CBX, but not quinine, caused remarkable reduction in retinal thickness, suggesting changes in cell proliferation/apoptosis ratio. Indeed, we observed a decreased number of mitotic cells in CBX‐injected retinas, with no significant changes in the expression of PCNA, a marker for cells in proliferative state. Taken together, our results pointed a pivotal role of Cx45 in the developing retina. Moreover, this study revealed that Cx‐mediated communication is essential in retinal histogenesis, particularly in the control of cell proliferation.