Article
Biology
Jia Wang Chua, Moogaambikai Thangaveloo, Debbie Xiu En Lim, Leigh E. Madden, Anthony R. J. Phillips, David L. Becker
Summary: This study examined the dynamic expression of the gap junction protein Cx43 in an ischemic button model of surgical adhesions. The results suggest that targeting Cx43 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or reducing the severity of post-surgical peritoneal adhesions.
Review
Biology
Yu-Han Guo, Yi-Qing Yang
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a global medical problem that contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. Gap junctions and their constituent proteins, connexins, play important roles in the pathogenesis of AF by disrupting the electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes through changes in connexin distribution and protein levels, increasing susceptibility to AF. Multiple pathogenic mutations or polymorphisms in connexins have been found to be associated with AF. Therefore, connexins may serve as important molecular targets for the treatment of AF.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Baracaldo-Santamaria, Maria Gabriela Corrales-Hernandez, Maria Camila Ortiz-Vergara, Valeria Cormane-Alfaro, Ricardo-Miguel Luque-Bernal, Carlos-Alberto Calderon-Ospina, Juan-Fernando Cediel-Becerra
Summary: Cell-to-cell communication is crucial for embryonic development and dysfunction of connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) can lead to diseases. Cxs play a pivotal role in embryogenesis and have been linked to both congenital and adult neurodegenerative diseases. Panxs, despite being structurally similar to Cxs, predominantly form channels connecting the cytoplasm to the extracellular space. Both Cxs and Panxs are involved in various stages of neuronal development in the nervous system.
Review
Cell Biology
Mingming Zhou, Minying Zheng, Xinyue Zhou, Shifeng Tian, Xiaohui Yang, Yidi Ning, Yuwei Li, Shiwu Zhang
Summary: Gap junctions (GJs), composed of connexins (Cxs), provide channels for direct information exchange between cells. The expression and function of Cxs, as well as the number and function of GJs, are dynamic and can be influenced by various factors. Recent studies have revealed the critical roles of Cxs and GJs in cancer pathogenesis, but the complex mechanism underlying their involvement in cancer development remains a major obstacle.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiao-Dong Gong, Yan Wang, Xue-Bin Hu, Shu-Yu Zheng, Jia-Ling Fu, Qian Nie, Ling Wang, Min Hou, Jia-Wen Xiang, Yuan Xiao, Qian Gao, Yue-Yue Bai, Yi-Zhi Liu, David Wan-Cheng Li
Summary: The study reveals that significant loss of Cx46 and Cx50, along with upregulation of Cx43 in aged human lenses, may contribute to the aging process and cataract formation. Similar findings were observed in mouse lenses, suggesting that prolonged downregulation of Cx46 and Cx50 levels may accelerate cataractogenesis.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xin Cai, Chengbin Gao, Min Cao, Baofeng Su, Xiaoli Liu, Beibei Wang, Chao Li
Summary: This study identified 43 gap junction genes in turbot and found that these genes were clustered into six groups with same ancestors among turbot and other species. Additionally, the distribution of these GJ genes on different chromosomes and gene structure and domain analysis revealed highly conserved features.
Article
Biology
Sebastian Curti, Federico Davoine, Antonella Dapino
Summary: In this article, the basic physical principles of electrical transmission between neurons and the plasticity of electrical synapses are reviewed. Circuits of electrically coupled neurons can perform sophisticated operations and can be modulated to alter circuit function.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge Enrique Gonzalez-Casanova, Samuel Duran-Aguero, Nelson Javier Caro-Fuentes, Maria Elena Gamboa-Arancibia, Tamara Bruna, Valmore Bermudez, Diana Marcela Rojas-Gomez
Summary: Connexin plays a key role in adipogenesis and maintenance of adipose tissue homeostasis through differentially regulated expression and function during adipogenesis stages. Phosphorylation and degradation of Connexin 43 impact cell-cell communication and adipocyte differentiation.Obesity and high-fat diet are associated with remodeling factors related to Connexin 43 expression and distribution in the atrium.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Svein-Ole Mikalsen, Sunnvor i Kongsstovu, Marni Tausen
Summary: Previous studies have shown that the connexin gene family has similar subfamily structures in several vertebrate groups. However, there is a lack of data between invertebrates and teleosts. The major evolutionary transformations in this gene family are from tunicates to cyclostomes and from cyclostomes to jawed vertebrates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Lisa Geis, Franz-Fabian Boudriot, Charlotte Wagner
Summary: The kidney expresses eight different connexin isoforms that play important roles in intercellular communication and functional synchronization. Using fluorescent RNAscope technique, the study accurately localized the expression of connexin mRNAs in healthy mouse kidneys. The results showed unique expression patterns of connexins in different cell types of the kidney, confirming previous data and highlighting their significance in renal function.
PFLUGERS ARCHIV-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Viviana P. Orellana, Andres Tittarelli, Mauricio A. Retamal
Summary: Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer that is refractory to chemotherapy in advanced stages, making it important to understand the molecular basis of its aggressiveness. Connexins (Cxs) play important roles in cancer progression and metastasis, with Cx26 and Cx43 being key players in melanoma progression, while Cx46, typically expressed in the eye lens, has been associated with cancer stem cell properties and extracellular vesicle release in breast and brain cancers in recent years. The potential role of Cx46 as a new biomarker and therapeutic target in melanoma is analyzed in this review.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
David Mazaud, Anna Capano, Nathalie Rouach
Summary: Astrocytes play a major role in the brain by contributing to functions such as energy supply, neurotransmission, and behavior. They achieve this through forming intercellular networks, releasing neuroactive factors, and using connexins to modulate neurotransmission at various levels. Astroglial connexins regulate neuronal activity and behavior through diverse functions, including gap junction channels, hemichannels, and nonchannel processes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chongjun Sun, Haokun Shen, Haiming Cai, Zengjue Zhao, Guanhua Gan, Saixiang Feng, Pinpin Chu, Min Zeng, Jinbo Deng, Feiping Ming, Miaopeng Ma, Junhao Jia, Rongxiao He, Ding Cao, Zhiyang Chen, Jiayi Li, Linghua Zhang
Summary: Mycotoxin contamination is a growing health issue with limited treatment options. CXCL17 has been identified as playing a key role in immune response to mycotoxins, modulating immune protection through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The development of CXCL17-mimetic peptides provides a potential avenue for ameliorating mycotoxin-induced inflammation and apoptosis.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mauricio Serrano-Rubi, Lidia Jimenez, Jacqueline Martinez-Rendon, Marcelino Cereijido, Arturo Ponce
Summary: Gap junctional intercellular communication is reduced in cancer cells compared to normal cells, but the plant-derived substance ouabain enhances this communication in various cancer cell lines through signaling mechanisms involving Csrc, ErK1/2, and ROCK-Rho. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic strategy for influencing cancer progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christoph Koepple, Zizi Zhou, Lena Huber, Matthias Schulte, Kjestine Schmidt, Torsten Gloe, Ulrich Kneser, Volker Juergen Schmidt, Cor de Wit
Summary: Cx43 protein positively modulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells by regulating gene expression, cell migration, and growth independently of GJ communication.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sharen Lee, Jiandong Zhou, Keith Sai Kit Leung, Abraham Ka Chung Wai, Kamalan Jeevaratnam, Emma King, Tong Liu, Wing Tak Wong, Carlin Chang, Ian Chi Kei Wong, Bernard Man Yung Cheung, Gary Tse, Qingpeng Zhang
Summary: Based on real-world data of type 2 diabetic patients in Hong Kong, the use of SGLT2Is was associated with lower risk of incident AF, stroke/transient ischemic attack, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality outcomes compared to DPP4Is.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Jiandong Zhou, Ishan Lakhani, Oscar Chou, Keith Sai Kit Leung, Teddy Tai Loy Lee, Michelle Vangi Wong, Zhen Li, Abraham Ka Chung Wai, Carlin Chang, Ian Chi Kei Wong, Qingpeng Zhang, Gary Tse, Bernard Man Yung Cheung
Summary: Cancer patients with COVID-19 have a significantly higher risk of intubation, ICU admission, and/or mortality due to the immunosuppressant effect of cancer treatments and frequent hospital admissions.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ashleigh J. R. Bevis, Khalil Saadeh, Gary Tse, Kamalan Jeevaratnam
Summary: Despite the increase in online resources, their use by veterinary students, especially in the study of small animal internal medicine, is still not well understood. A questionnaire-based study from seven UK universities investigated the use of online resources among clinical veterinary students studying small animal internal medicine and whether this was affected by age, gender, year of study or entry status.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jiandong Zhou, Sharen Lee, Yingzhi Liu, Jeffrey Shi Kai Chan, Guoliang Li, Wing Tak Wong, Kamalan Jeevaratnam, Shuk Han Cheng, Tong Liu, Gary Tse, Qingpeng Zhang
Summary: We hypothesized that an interpretable gradient boosting machine (GBM) model considering comorbidities, P-wave and echocardiographic measurements, can better predict mortality and cerebrovascular events in mitral regurgitation (MR).
CURRENT PROBLEMS IN CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Keith Sai Kit Leung, Danny Radford, Helen Huang, Ishan Lakhani, Christien Ka Hou Li, Sandeep Singh Hothi, Abraham Ka Chung Wai, Tong Liu, Gary Tse, Sharen Lee
Summary: Risk stratification in Brugada syndrome remains a challenge, with less attention given to affected females. Recent studies have shown that the association between symptoms and sudden cardiac death may not be significant in females. Various clinical, electrocardiographic, and genetic risk factors for assessing sudden cardiac death risk in asymptomatic female Brugada syndrome patients have been identified, but there is a lack of research on female-specific risk factors and multiparametric risk scores.
ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mei Dong, Lizhen Wang, Gary Tse, Tao Dai, Lihong Wang, Zhicheng Xiao, Tong Liu, Faxin Ren
Summary: This study evaluated the short-term changes of echocardiographic parameters, NYHA class, and BNP level and adverse events in heart failure patients after TAVR. The results showed significant improvements in BNP, NYHA class, LVEDD, LVEF, and PASP after TAVR in all three heart failure classes. Complication rates were low in the different heart failure groups.
BMC CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Gary Tse, Sharen Lee, Tong Liu
CIRCULATION JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Maria Gabriela Matta, Laura Pulido, Juan Jose Herrera-Paz, Jose M. Picco, Sebastian Wolff, Gary Tse, Sebastian Garcia -Zamora
Summary: The study aimed to describe the vaccination rates in volunteers from three regions of Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of 3853 adults in 2020 found that the influenza vaccination rate was 37.7%, pneumococcal vaccination rate was 24.7%, and both vaccines were received by 17.8% of the participants. The study showed suboptimal vaccination rates among high-risk patients in Argentina and highlighted the potential neglect of immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yuxi Sun, Xuefu Chen, Yanli Zhang, Yao Yu, Xinxin Zhang, Jinping Si, Zijie Ding, Yunlong Xia, Gary Tse, Ying Liu
Summary: This study investigated changes in left atrial (LA) echocardiographic indices in heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF). Patients in the HFrecEF group showed significant improvements in LA parameters and had better clinical outcomes. Evaluation of LA size can serve as a useful biomarker for risk stratification in heart failure.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Guanyu Mu, Weiding Wang, Changle Liu, Juan Xie, Hao Zhang, Xiaowei Zhang, Jingjin Che, Gary Tse, Tong Liu, Guangping Li, Huaying Fu, Kangyin Chen
Summary: This study compared three methods and found that the combination of SVI/S’ with risk scores showed the best diagnostic ability in patients with suspected HFpEF.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Helen Huang, Keith S. K. Leung, Tulika Garg, Adele Mazzoleni, Goshen D. D. Miteu, Farida Zakariya, Wireko A. A. Awuah, Elaine T. S. Yin, Faaraea Haroon, Zarish Hussain, Narjiss Aji, Vikash Jaiswal, Gary Tse
Summary: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a hereditary condition caused by mutations in the lipid pathway. This article reviews the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular care for FH patients. The pandemic has resulted in worse outcomes and prognosis for FH patients, with decreased access to lipidologists and cardiologists and increased treatment nonadherence. Further research on the disproportionate impact within different subgroups is needed.
CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
J. S. K. Chan, Y. H. A. Lee, J. M. H. Hui, K. Liu, E. C. Dee, K. Ng, P. Tang, G. Tse, C. F. Ng
Summary: This prospective cohort study aimed to compare the long-term cardiovascular risks between GnRH agonists and antagonists. The results showed that Asian patients with prostate cancer who used GnRH agonists had lower cardiovascular risks compared to those who used antagonists, especially in patients without known cardiovascular risk factors.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mei Dong, Ting Yu, Gary Tse, Zerun Lin, Chen Lin, Nan Zhang, Rujian Wang, Tong Liu, Lin Zhong
Summary: PD-1/PD-L1 blockade is a significant breakthrough in anti-cancer therapies, but it may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies have shown the involvement of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in the development of atherosclerosis. This review explores the hypothesis that PD-1/PD-L1 blockade accelerates atherosclerosis progression and promotes plaque rupture, emphasizing the importance of early recognition of PD-1/PD-L1-blockade-related acute coronary syndrome.
CURRENT PROBLEMS IN CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Gary Tse, Quinncy Lee, Oscar Hou In Chou, Cheuk To Chung, Sharen Lee, Jeffrey Shi Kai Chan, Guoliang Li, Narinder Kaur, Leonardo Roever, Haipeng Liu, Tong Liu, Jiandong Zhou
Summary: Routinely collected electronic health records (EHRs) data provide valuable information for epidemiological studies, and the use of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly increased in Hong Kong since 2015. The advantages of big data include generalizability, simultaneous determination of multiple outcomes, ease of cross-validation, analysis of numerous variables, analysis of static and dynamic variables, capturing non-linear and latent interactions, and enhancing prediction models with AI approaches.
CURRENT PROBLEMS IN CARDIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Yan Hiu Athena Lee, Jeffrey Shi Kai Chan, Chi Ho Leung, Jeremy Man Ho Hui, Edward Christopher Dee, Kenrick Ng, Kang Liu, Tong Liu, Gary Tse, Chi Fai Ng
Summary: This population-based study investigated the association between baseline uric acid (UA) levels and prostate cancer (PCa)-related mortality in PCa patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The results revealed a J-shaped relationship, with a direct association in patients with above-average UA levels and an inverse association in patients with below-average UA levels.
