Endothelial-Specific Deletion of Connexin40 Promotes Atherosclerosis by Increasing CD73-Dependent Leukocyte Adhesion

Abstract

Cx40-mediated gap junctional communication contributes to a quiescent nonactivated endothelium by propagating adenosine-evoked antiinflammatory signals between endothelial cells. Alteration in this mechanism by targeting Cx40 promotes leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium, thus accelerating atherosclerosis.