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Gap junction blockage in chorioallantoic membrane networks
Author(s) -
Maibier Martin,
Nitzsche Bianca,
Reglin Bettina E.,
Höpfner Michael,
Secomb Timothy W.,
Pries Axel R.
Publication year - 2013
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.27.1_supplement.679.9
Subject(s) - gap junction , carbenoxolone , chorioallantoic membrane , papaverine , vasodilation , blockade , chemistry , blood vessel , biophysics , sodium nitroprusside , anatomy , medicine , nitric oxide , biology , biochemistry , receptor , intracellular , in vitro
Background Studies using theoretical models have revealed the necessity of information transfer along blood vessels, most likely mediated via gap junctions, to achieve efficient blood flow distribution in microvascular networks. Its absence might lead to malperfusion. Here we studied the effects of gap junction blockade on vessel diameter in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) networks by intravital microscopy. Methods Blockers used were carbenoxolone (175 μM, CBX), palmitoleic acid (100 μM, PA) and GAP27 (1000 μM). Maximal vasodilation (acetylcholine 10 μM, adenosine 100 μM, papaverine 200 μM, sodium nitroprusside 10 μM) allowed examining the relative contribution of changes in vessel structure and vascular tone. Results After 3h, diameters of arteries and veins decreased to 0.55 and 0.54 (relative to PBS control; CBX), 0.77 and 0.81 (PA) and 0.82 and 0.76 (GAP27). For CBX, about half (59%, 46%) of the diameter reduction was caused by structural adaptation, the rest by an increase in vascular tone. After 6h, diameter reduction was unchanged (0.55 and 0.45) but mainly caused by structural adaptation (96% and 88%). Conclusion The present findings show the importance of gap junction based communication for developing microvascular networks. Gap junction blockade causes a substantial decrease in vessel diameter with an initial increase in vascular tone and a subsequent change of vessel structure.