Activation of endothelial cells to pathological status by down-regulation of connexin43

Abstract

Down-regulation of Cx43 inhibits gap-junctional communication and activates endothelial cells to pathological status, as characterized by up-regulation of coagulatory molecules and impairment of proliferation, viability, and angiogenesis. The processes are associated with activation of JNK signalling pathways and rectified by inhibition of the activation. These results suggest that inadequate expression of Cx43 per se impairs endothelial function by the activation of stress-activated protein kinase.