Deletion of a single allele of Cx43 is associated with a reduction in the gap junctional intercellular communication and increased cell proliferation of mouse lung pneumocytes type II

Abstract

These results show that knocking out one allele of Cx43 leads to a lower cell to cell communication capacity, and consequently induces a higher cell proliferation. Because chemically induced lung adenomas in mice are known to originate from APTIIs, these alterations may play a critical role in their susceptibility to lung carcinogenesis.