Open AccessConnexin 43 plays an important role in the transformation of cholangiocytes with Clonochis sinensis excretory-secretory protein and N-nitrosodimethylamine
Author(s) -
Eun Min Kim,
Young Mee Bae,
Min Ho Choi,
Sung Tae Hong
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plos neglected tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.99
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1935-2735
pISSN - 1935-2727
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006843
Subject(s) - cell growth , biology , carcinogenesis , connexin , clonorchis sinensis , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , immunology , intracellular , biochemistry , gap junction , genetics , helminths
Background Clonorchis sinensis is a group I bio-carcinogen responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CHCA) in humans. However, the mechanism by which C . sinensis promotes carcinogenesis is unclear. Methodology Using the human cholangiocyte line H69, we investigated cell proliferation and gap junction protein expression after stimulation with the hepatotoxin N -nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and/or excretory-secretory products (ESP) of C. sinensis , which induce inflammation. NDMA and ESP treatment increased proliferation by 146% and the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase by 37%. Moreover, the expression of the cell proliferation-related proteins E2F1, Ki-67, and cancer related protein cytokeratin 19 and Cox-2 increased in response to combined treatment with NDMA and ESP. The gap-junction proteins connexin (Cx) 43 and Cx26 increased. In contrast, Cx32 expression decreased in cells treated with NDMA and ESP. Silencing of Cx43 reduced cell proliferation and significantly suppressed Cx26 and Cox-2 expression. Conclusions These results suggest that Cx43 is an important factor in CHCA induced by C . sinensis ESP and NDMA and further investigations targeting this pathway may allow prevention of this deadly disease.