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Functionality of bundle branches in developing hearts of Cx40 deficient mice
Author(s) -
Benes Jiri,
Sankova Barbora,
Sedmera David
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.451.2
Subject(s) - ventricle , gap junction , bundle , anatomy , medicine , biology , endocrinology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , composite material , intracellular
Connexin40 (Cx40) is a major gap junction protein that is strongly expressed in His‐Purkinje system. We focused on the impact of Cx40 deficiency on development of murine His‐Purkinje system, specifically on the function of bundle branches (BB). We used optical mapping of ventricular activation at different embryonic stages of Cx40 deficient mice and compared them with data from Cx40(+/−) and WT mice. We found that RBB function, evidenced by presence of epicardial breakthrough near the apex of the right ventricle, was not affected by Cx40 deficiency at the early developmental stages (12.5 and 14.5 dpc). In contrast, LBB function was significantly impaired by Cx40 deficiency and its development seemed to be delayed (Chi square, p>0.05, at 14.5dpc). This finding differs from previous studies on adult Cx40 deficient mice, where RBB function was predominantly impaired (slowed conduction up to RBB block). We speculate that this discrepancy is due to developmental changes in Cx40 and Cx43 levels in working and conduting myocardium as well as differences in absolute conduction velocity, tissue insulation and geometry.