Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Although its pathogenesis is not fully understood, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panx) could be involved in the process of fibrosis. We analyzed the protein expression of Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, a...
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Biomedicines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/9/2487 |
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| author | Berna Pavic Marin Ogorevc Katarina Boric Dubravka Vukovic Mirna Saraga-Babic Snjezana Mardesic |
| author_facet | Berna Pavic Marin Ogorevc Katarina Boric Dubravka Vukovic Mirna Saraga-Babic Snjezana Mardesic |
| author_sort | Berna Pavic |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Although its pathogenesis is not fully understood, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panx) could be involved in the process of fibrosis. We analyzed the protein expression of Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Panx1 in the gastric mucosa of patients with SSc and healthy volunteers, using immunofluorescence staining. Protein levels of Cx37 were slightly increased, while the levels of Cx40 were significantly decreased in the lamina propria of the gastric mucosa of SSc patients compared to the controls. The changes were proportional to SSc severity, with the most prominent changes found in patients with severe diffuse cutaneous SSc. No differences in Cx43 or Panx1 levels were found between the analyzed groups of samples. The lack of changes in Cx43 expression, which has been previously associated with fibrosis, could be due to the weak expression of Cx43 in the gastric mucosa in general. Further studies on full-thickness gastric biopsies containing muscle layers and animal SSc models are needed to fully elucidate the role of Cxs and Panxs in SSc-associated fibrosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:00:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eb42f0329c434aab91dc57d3cb9f3e3a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:00:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomedicines |
| spelling | doaj.art-eb42f0329c434aab91dc57d3cb9f3e3a2023-11-19T09:42:01ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592023-09-01119248710.3390/biomedicines11092487Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic SclerosisBerna Pavic0Marin Ogorevc1Katarina Boric2Dubravka Vukovic3Mirna Saraga-Babic4Snjezana Mardesic5Renal Unit, University Hospital of Split, Šoltanska 1, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Split, Šoltanska 1, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Dermatovenerology, University Hospital of Split, Šoltanska 1, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, CroatiaDepartment of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Split School of Medicine, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, CroatiaSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Although its pathogenesis is not fully understood, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panx) could be involved in the process of fibrosis. We analyzed the protein expression of Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Panx1 in the gastric mucosa of patients with SSc and healthy volunteers, using immunofluorescence staining. Protein levels of Cx37 were slightly increased, while the levels of Cx40 were significantly decreased in the lamina propria of the gastric mucosa of SSc patients compared to the controls. The changes were proportional to SSc severity, with the most prominent changes found in patients with severe diffuse cutaneous SSc. No differences in Cx43 or Panx1 levels were found between the analyzed groups of samples. The lack of changes in Cx43 expression, which has been previously associated with fibrosis, could be due to the weak expression of Cx43 in the gastric mucosa in general. Further studies on full-thickness gastric biopsies containing muscle layers and animal SSc models are needed to fully elucidate the role of Cxs and Panxs in SSc-associated fibrosis.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/9/2487connexin 37connexin 40connexin 43pannexin 1systemic sclerosisgastric mucosa |
| spellingShingle | Berna Pavic Marin Ogorevc Katarina Boric Dubravka Vukovic Mirna Saraga-Babic Snjezana Mardesic Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Biomedicines connexin 37 connexin 40 connexin 43 pannexin 1 systemic sclerosis gastric mucosa |
| title | Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_full | Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_fullStr | Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_short | Connexin 37, 40, 43 and Pannexin 1 Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_sort | connexin 37 40 43 and pannexin 1 expression in the gastric mucosa of patients with systemic sclerosis |
| topic | connexin 37 connexin 40 connexin 43 pannexin 1 systemic sclerosis gastric mucosa |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/9/2487 |
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