Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Shimane, Izumo 6938501, Japan.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 3500-3, Minamitamagaki-cho, Mie, Suzuka 5138679, Japan.
Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Oct 27;18(11):2254. doi: 10.3390/ijms18112254.
Endothelial cells (ECs) play a pivotal role in the crosstalk between blood coagulation and inflammation. Endothelial cellular dysfunction underlies the development of vascular inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have revealed that aberrant gap junctions (GJs) and connexin (Cx) hemichannels participate in the progression of cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac infarction, hypertension and atherosclerosis. ECs can communicate with adjacent ECs, vascular smooth muscle cells, leukocytes and platelets via GJs and Cx channels. ECs dynamically regulate the expression of numerous Cxs, as well as GJ functionality, in the context of inflammation. Alterations to either result in various side effects across a wide range of vascular functions. Here, we review the roles of endothelial GJs and Cx channels in vascular inflammation, blood coagulation and leukocyte adhesion. In addition, we discuss the relevant molecular mechanisms that endothelial GJs and Cx channels regulate, both the endothelial functions and mechanical properties of ECs. A better understanding of these processes promises the possibility of pharmacological treatments for vascular pathogenesis.
内皮细胞（ECs）在血液凝固和炎症的相互作用中发挥着关键作用。内皮细胞功能障碍是血管炎症性疾病发展的基础。最近的研究表明，异常的缝隙连接（GJ）和连接蛋白（Cx）半通道参与了心肌梗死、高血压和动脉粥样硬化等心血管疾病的进展。内皮细胞可以通过 GJ 和 Cx 通道与相邻的内皮细胞、血管平滑肌细胞、白细胞和血小板进行通讯。在炎症的情况下，内皮细胞可以动态调节多种 Cx 的表达以及 GJ 的功能。这两种变化都会导致各种血管功能的广泛副作用。在这里，我们综述了内皮细胞 GJ 和 Cx 通道在血管炎症、血液凝固和白细胞黏附中的作用。此外，我们还讨论了内皮细胞 GJ 和 Cx 通道调节内皮细胞功能和机械特性的相关分子机制。更好地了解这些过程有望为血管发病机制提供药理学治疗的可能性。
