Título de Ingeniero en Biotecnología Molecular / Las Gap Junctions (GJs) son clústers de canales intercelulares localizados en la membrana plasmática que permiten la comunicación directa entre células adyacentes. Cada canal GJ está compuesto por 2 hemicanales hexaméricos conocidos como conexones, los cuales a su vez están compuestos por seis proteínas de transmembrana llamadas conexinas (Cxs), siendo Cx43 la más representada en el sistema inmune. Se ha vinculado la variación de los niveles normales de expresión de las Cxs con la patogénesis de distintas enfermedades, incluyendo sordera congénita, arritmias cardiacas y cáncer. Dentro de esta última nuestro laboratorio ha desarrollado proyectos de investigación que permitan determinar el papel de las GJs en la respuesta inmune antitumoral. Por ejemplo, publicaciones previas de nuestro laboratorio han demostrado que Cx43 participa en la transferencia directa de antígenos tumorales entre células dendríticas (DCs). Así mismo, Cx43 polariza hacia la sinapsis entre DC y linfocitos T (LT) CD4+, formando canales funcionales que permiten una comunicación bidireccional requerida para la activación de LT mediada por APC. Además, se ha encontrado que Cx43 juega un rol en la activación de células natural killer (NK) por parte de DCs y en la regulación de la citotoxicidad de las células NK contra células tumorales. Así mismo, resultados no publicados indican que Cx43 polariza hacia el sitio de contacto entre LT CD8+ citotóxicos (CTLs) y células de melanoma, sugiriendo que Cx43 participaría en la citotoxicidad de CTLs en contra de éstas. Estos antecedentes sugieren que las GJs podría participar en el transporte de moléculas o señales que se encuentren involucradas en el proceso de activación de LT CD8+ mediada por DCs, tema que aún no ha sido estudiado por las investigaciones actuales. En estudios 2 anteriores nuestro laboratorio ha trabajado con modelos celulares humanos, sin embargo, dado que la obtención de LT vírgenes específicos contra el tumor a partir de donantes sanos es improbable y engorroso, en este trabajo decidimos utilizar el modelo murino específico para melanoma pMEL-1 y validar y optimizar su utilización para estudios de la participación de las GJs en la activación de LT CD8+ por parte de DCs. Nuestros resultados indican que el modelo pMEL-1 no representa alteraciones en la expresión de Cx43 respecto a su contraparte silvestre (wild type (WT)), y que es un modelo muy sensible, encontrando expresión del marcador de activación CD69 incluso desde 1 hora post co-cultivo. Además, se determinó que existe transferencia de calceína entre moDC y LT CD8+ pMEL-1 en un contexto estrictamente antígeno específico. Sin embargo, no pudimos dilucidar si las GJs participan del proceso de activación ya que el método de inhibición utilizado, el cual es un péptido mimético de Cx43, presentó problemas técnicos de funcionamiento, fenómeno que fue comprobado en modelos donde anteriormente se había determinado la comunicación mediada por GJs. Proponemos en el futuro utilizar otros métodos de inhibición, como el uso de siRNA contra Cx43, para determinar si estos canales juegan un rol en este proceso. / Gap Junctions are clusters of intercellular channels located in the plasma membrane that allow direct communication between adjacent cells. Each GJ channel is composed of 2 hexameric hemichannels known as connexions, which are composed by six transmembrane proteins called conexins (Cxs), being Cx43 the most represented one in the inmmune system. Variation in normal expression levels on Cxs have been linked to the development of different diseases, including congenital deafness, cardiac arrhythmias and cancer, being the last the one where our laboratory has developed investigation lines that allow to determine the role of GJs in the antitumoral response. In example, previous publications of our group have demonstrated that Cx43 participates in the direct transfer of tumoral antigens between dendritic cells (DCs) and that polarizes to the synapsis between DCs and CD4+ T lymphocytes, forming functional channels that allow bidirectional communication required for the DCs mediated activation of LT. Besides this, we have found that Cx43 plays a role in the activation of natural killer (NK) cells mediated by DCs, and in the regulation of the cytotoxicity of NK cells against tumor cells. Likewise, unpublished data indicate that Cx43 polarizes to the contact site between cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (CTLs) and melanoma cells, suggesting that Cx43 participates in the cytotoxicity of these cells. These backgrounds suggest that GJs may participate in the transport of molecules or signals that may be involved in the process of DC mediated activation of CD8+ T cells, subject that hasn’t been studied by the actual investigations. In previous studies our group has worked with human cellular models, however, given that obtaining naïve T cells from healthy donors is unlikely and difficult, in this work we decided to use the melanoma specific murine model pMEL-1 and valid and optimize it’s use for studies of the participation of GJs in the DCs 4 activation of T cells. Our results indicate that the pMEL-1 model doesn’t have alterations in the Cx43 expression levels compared with the wild type background and that it is a very sensible model, in which we can evaluate the activation of T cells even an hour after co-culture. Besides, it was determined the existence of calcein transfer between moDCs and CD8+ pMEL-1 T cells in a strictly antigen specific context. However, we could not elucidate if the GJs participate or not in the CD8+ T cell activation process, as our inhibition method, which is a Cx43 mimetic peptide, presented technical problems, phenomenon that was proven in models where GJ mediated communication has previously been determinate. We propose in the future to use a different inhibition method, as the use of anti-Cx43 siRNA, in order to determine if these channels play a role in this process.

Les protéines membranaires (PMs) sont les composants fonctionnels principaux des membranes biologiques. Les processus cellulaires fondamentaux sont régulés à l’aide des PMs. Malgré leur importance et leur intérêt scientifique et pharmaceutique, les structures des PMs ne représentent qu’une partie mineure des structures 3D répertoriées. Les PMs humaines sont des cibles particulièrement intéressantes mais parmi plus de 7000 PMs humaines, seules 30 structures ont été élucidées.Les raisons principales qui rendent les PMs très difficiles à étudier sont leur faible abondance et leur nature hydrophobe. En effet, le niveau d’expression des PMs dans leur environnement naturel est habituellement faible et la surexpression hétérologue aboutit souvent à une protéine inactive.Les connexines font partie de la famille des PMs intégrales de vertébrés. Elles sont largement exprimées dans tout le corps et sont impliquées dans les processus essentiels à un fonctionnement physiologique normal. En s’oligomérisant elles établissent des canaux intercellulaires qui forment des jonctions lacunaires. La communication des jonctions lacunaires joue un rôle essentiel dans la fonction des tissus et le développement des organes. Ainsi, les mutations génétiques des connexines provoquent des désordres héréditaires. Les connaissances actuelles portent principalement sur la physiologie des connexines et la perméabilité des pores. Difficiles à produire pure, homogène et en quantité suffisante pour la cristallisation, l’unique structure de résolution atomique de jonction lacunaire est un polymère de la connexine 26. La connexine 43 (Cx43), protéine de jonction lacunaire la mieux étudiée, est exprimée dans tout le corps humain. Les études structurales de microscopie électronique ont montré que le domaine cytoplasmique C-terminal de Cx43 (Cx43CT) est flexible et diminue la qualité de diffraction des cristaux 2D. La troncation de la majorité de Cx43CT améliore la résolution des segments transmembranaires de Cx43. Tronqué au niveau du résidu 263, le mutant Cx43-263T est néanmoins capable de former des cristaux 2D et de s’assembler en jonctions lacunaires. L’œuvre présenté est consacré à l’étude de Cx43, Cx43-263T et Cx43CT.L’optimisation des codons du gène de la connexine et la minimisation de la stabilité de la structure secondaire d’ARNm ont considérablement augmenté l’expression de Cx43 et Cx43-263T. De nouvelles procédures de purification de Cx43-263T et Cx43 ont été élaborées. La protéine purifiée a été reconstituée en polymère amphiphile amphipol A8-35 et caractérisée par des approches de SEC, DLS et SAXS. Des techniques indépendantes ont montré l’auto-assemblage de Cx43-263T fonctionnelle en hexamères.Cx43 homogène a été surexprimée dans E. coli, purifiée et caractérisée par SEC, DLS, DSC et SAXS. L’oligomérisation a été mesurée en fonction de la concentration.Cx43-263T et Cx43 fusionnées à la protéine Mistic ont été surexprimées dans E. coli. La séparation de Mistic de la connexin a été testée avec différentes protéases, jonctions, conditions de clivage et soit in vivo soit in vitro. Toutes les constructions ainsi générées ont démontré une haute résistance aux protéolyses spécifiques. Mistic (membrane integrating sequence for translation of integral membrane protein constructs) est une séquence de protéine de B. subtilis, qui permet l'adressage des PMs intégrales dans la membrane. Mistic a été surexprimée chez E. coli et la protéine homogène a été purifiée avec divers détergents. Alors que la structure tertiaire de Mistic, solubilisée avec de l'oxyde de lauryldimethylamine, est déjà déterminée, la structure native de Mistic dans un milieu lipidique, qui permettrait de comprendre sa fonction, n’est pas encore disponible. Dans le travail présenté ici, Mistic a été reconstituée dans des lipides différents et utilisée pour des essais initiaux de cristallisation in meso. Mistic a de plus été utilisée pour la production d’anticorps anti-Mistic. / Membrane proteins (MPs) are major functional components of biological membranes. Keycellular processes are regulated with the help of MPs. Despite high importance and greatscientific and pharmaceutical interest, structures of MPs represent only a tiny fraction of all3D structures in Protein Data Bank. Human MPs are particularly challenging targets. Out ofmore than 7000 human MPs, structures of only about 30 were elucidated.The main reasons which make MPs so difficult to study are their low natural abundance andhydrophobic nature. Expression level of MPs in their natural sources is usually rather low.Heterologous overexpression often leads to inactive protein.Connexins comprise a family of vertebrate integral MPs that are widely expressed throughoutbody and involved in a wide variety of processes essential for normal physiological function.They are able to oligomerize and form intercellular channels which compose gap junctions.Gap junctional communication plays crucial role in normal tissue function and organdevelopment. Connexin gene mutations cause a number of inherited disorders.By now a wealth of knowledge is available about physiology of connexins and their channelpore permeability. However, atomic resolution structure of gap junction channel formed byonly one connexin family member (connexin 26) was determined. This is mostly explained bydifficulty to produce sufficient for crystallization amount of pure and homogenous protein.Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the best-studied gap junction protein, and it is widely expressedthroughout the human body. Initial structural studies by electron microscopy have shown thatflexible C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of Cx43 (Cx43CT) worsens diffraction quality of 2Dcrystals. Removal of most of the Cx43CT improved resolution of transmembrane segments ofCx43. Truncated at residue 263 mutant of Cx43 (Cx43-263T) still was able to form2D crystals and assembled into gap junctions. Thus, the present work is dedicated to the studyof three forms of Cx43, namely Cx43-263T, Cx43CT, and full-length Cx43.Performed in our work connexin gene optimization for E.coli codon bias and minimization ofstability of mRNA secondary structure significantly enhanced expression of Cx43 and Cx43-263T. Procedures for Cx43-263T and Cx43 purification were developed. The purified proteinwas reconstituted into amphipathic polymer amphipol A8-35 and characterized by SEC, DLS,and SAXS. Applied independent techniques showed self-assembling of purified Cx43-263Tinto hexamers demonstrating its functionality.Cx43CT was overexpressed in E.coli and purified to homogeneity. The protein wascharacterized by SEC, DLS, TSA, and SAXS. The concentration-dependent oligomerizationwas established.In the beginning of our project Cx43-263T and Cx43 were overexpressed in E. coli usingMistic fusion protein. A number of constructs providing various linkers and proteaserecognition sites were generated. To remove Mistic from the produced proteins in vivo and invitro cleavage were tested. All generated constructs demonstrated high resistance to specificproteolysis in wide range of conditions.Mistic (membrane integrating sequence for translation of integral membrane proteinconstructs) from B. subtilis was overexpressed in E.coli and purified to homogeneity usingdifferent detergents. While the tertiary structure of solubilized in lauryldimethylamine oxideMistic was determined earlier, the native structure of Mistic in lipid environment elucidatingits function is not available yet. In the present work Mistic was reconstituted into differentlipids and used for initial in meso crystallization trials. Additionally, Mistic was used forproduction of anti-Mistic antibodies.

Teoricamente, conexões por sinapses elétricas entre neurônios poderiam levar ao aumento da faixa de resposta dinâmica da rede neural. A faixa de resposta dinâmica de uma rede de neurônios pode ser definida como a faixa de valores de intensidade dos estímulos de entrada para a qual o conjunto de neurônios produz resposta antes de atingir a saturação. Em um cenário biológico, propôs-se que junções gap entre células ganglionares da retina aumentariam a faixa dinâmica da retina. O teste experimental dessa proposta apresenta várias dificuldades, o que torna a modelagem computacional uma alternativa metodológica para o estudo do papel das sinapses elétricas na faixa dinâmica da camada ganglionar da retina. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a construção de um modelo biologicamente plausível da camada ganglionar da retina da salamandra, submetida a sinais de entrada realísticos conforme evidências experimentais e com a inclusão de sinapses elétricas conectando suas células, para estudar in silico os possíveis efeitos dessas sinapses elétricas sobre a faixa dinâmica da camada ganglionar. A camada ganglionar foi modelada como uma rede bidimensional cujos neurônios foram modelados pelo formalismo de Hodgkin-Huxley. Cada neurônio recebeu um de dois tipos de entrada sináptica, transiente ou sustentada. Avaliou-se o efeito da inibição pré-sináptica das células ganglionares e o efeito de diferentes padrões de conectividade mediados pelas sinapses elétricas. Os resultados sugerem que o acoplamento elétrico aumenta a sensibilidade do sistema e altera o ponto de saturação, mas não necessariamente aumenta a faixa dinâmica. / Theoretically, connections by electrical synapses between neurons could lead to an increase in their dynamic range. The dynamic range of a network of neurons can be defined as the range of input stimuli values for which the network responds before saturation. In a biological scenario, it is hypothesized that gap junctions between retinal ganglion cells may increase the dynamic range of the retina. However, the experimental testing of this hypothesis presents several difficulties, which makes computational modeling a methodological alternative to study the role of electrical synapses on the dynamic range of the ganglion cell layer of the retina. In this work we constructed a biologically plausible computational model of the ganglion cell layer of the salamander retina. A bidimensional network was built with cells modeled by the Hodgkin-Huxley formalism connected via gap junctions and subject to realistic inputs constrained by experimental evidence, to study in silico the effects of gap junctions on the dynamic range of the model. We studied the effect of different gap junction-mediated connectivity patterns, input type combinations (transient, sustained and mixed between the two) and presynaptic inhibition on the dynamic range. Our results suggest that gap junction coupling increases the network\'s sensitivity and alters the saturation point but not necessarily increases the dynamic range.

The mortality of cardiovascular diseases remains high and it likely tends to increase in the future. Although many ways how to increase the resistance against myocardial ischemia- reperfusion damage have been described, few of them were transferred into clinical practice. Cardioprotective effect of chronic hypoxia has been described during 60s of the last century. Its detailed mechanism has not been elucidated, but a number of components has been identified. One of these components presents protein kinase C (PKC). The role of PKC was described in detail in the mechanism of ischemic preconditioning, but its involvement in the mechanism of cardioprotection induced by chronic hypoxia remains unclear. One reason is the amount of PKC isoforms, which have often contradictory effects, and the diversity of hypoxic models used. The most frequently mentioned isoforms in connection with cardioprotection are PKCδ and PKCε. The aim of my thesis was to analyze changes in these PKC isoforms at two different cardioprotective models of hypoxia - intermittent hypobaric (IHH) and continuous normobaric hypoxia (CNH). We also examined the target proteins of PKCδ and PKCε after the adaptation to IHH, which could be involved in the mechanism of cardioprotection. These included proteins associated with apoptosis and...

Los modelos de la actividad eléctrica cardiaca son esquemas teóricos de los fenómenos electro fisiológicos basados en formulaciones matemáticas y forman parte de los esfuerzos encaminados a facilitar su comprensión y la predicción de su comportamiento en distintas situaciones normales y patológicas. La modelización matemática y de estructuras anatómicas virtuales, unida a la simulación por ordenador contribuyen a analizar y comprender con mayor detalle el origen de las reentradas que dan lugar a las arritmias auriculares de origen eléctrico, ya que la complejidad inherente a este fenómeno hace muy difícil su estudio utilizando solamente la vía experimental. Este trabajo está basado en el desarrollo de dos modelos tridimensionales de aurícula humana, un modelo de dimensiones fisiológicas y otro con dilatación en la aurícula izquierda (remodelado estructural). A ambos modelos se les incorporó una orientación realista de las fibras y conducción anisotrópica. El remodelado eléctrico y el remodelado de gap junctions, ocasionados por episodios de fibrilación auricular crónica fueron simulados. De esta forma, el estudio contempla cuatro diferentes modelos: 1) un modelo en condiciones fisiológicas, con características anatómicas y eléctricas normales 2) un modelo de características anatómicas normales, pero en condiciones de remodelado eléctrico; 3) un modelo con dilatación y en condiciones de remodelado eléctrico; y 4) un modelo con dilatación y en condiciones de remodelado eléctrico y de gap-junctions. Los modelos reprodujeron la propagación del potencial de acción en situaciones fisiológicas y patológicas. Mediante simulación, se estudió el efecto del remodelado eléctrico, del remodelado estructural (dilatación) y del remodelado gap-junctions en la vulnerabilidad a reentradas. En general, los resultados muestran como el remodelado eléctrico favorece la generación de reentradas. / Ruiz Villa, CA. (2010). Estudio de la vulnerabilidad a reentradas a través de modelos matemáticos y simulación de la aurícula humana [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/9104 / Palancia

No description available.

The aim of the two studies presented here was to evaluate the effects of cocaine and mefloquine (MFQ) on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Cocaine: In vivo, lower doses of intravenous cocaine (0.25-0.5 mg/kg), or methamphetamine (METH), enhanced VTA GABA neuron firing rate via D2/D5 receptor activation. Higher cocaine doses (1.0-2.0 mg/kg) inhibited their firing rate. Cocaine and lidocaine inhibited the firing rate and spike discharges induced by stimulation of the internal capsule (ICPSDs) at dose levels 0.25-2 mg/kg (IC50 1.2 mg/kg), but neither DA nor METH reduced ICPSDs. In VTA GABA neurons in vitro, cocaine reduced (IC50 13 µM) current-evoked spikes and sodium currents in a use-dependent manner. In VTA DA neurons, cocaine reduced IPSCs (IC50 13 µM), increased IPSC paired-pulse facilitation, and decreased sIPSC frequency, without affecting mIPSC frequency or amplitude. These findings suggest cocaine reduces activity-dependent GABA release on DA neurons in the VTA, and that cocaine's use-dependent blockade of VTA GABA neuron voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSCs) may synergize with its DAT inhibiting properties to enhance mesolimbic DA transmission implicated in cocaine reinforcement. Mefloquine: Mefloquine (MFQ) is an anti-malarial agent, Connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junction blocker, 5-HT3 antagonist, and calcium ionophore. Mounting evidence of a Cx36-mediated VTA GABA neuron syncytium suggests MFQ-related dysphoria may attribute to its gap junction blocking effects on VTA synaptic homeostasis. We observed that MFQ (25 µM) increased DA neuron spontaneous IPSC frequency 6 fold, and mIPSC 3 fold. Carbenoxolone (CBX, 100 µM) only increased sIPSC frequency 2 fold, and did not affect DA mIPSC frequency. Ondansetron did not mimic MFQ. Additionally, MFQ did not affect VTA DA evoked IPSC paired pulse ratio (PPR). However, Mefloquine did induce a 3.5 fold increase in bath-applied GABA current. Remarkably, MFQ did not affect VTA GABA neuron inhibition. At VTA DA neuron excitatory synapses MFQ increased sEPSC frequency in-part due to an increase in the AMPA/NMDA ratio. These finding suggest MFQ alters VTA synapses differentially depending on neuron and synapse type, and that these alterations appear to involve MFQ's gap junction blocking and calcium ionophore actions.

No description available.

As conexinas são as principais proteínas componentes das junções do tipo GAP no fígado. Existem poucos estudos sobre o papel das junções GAP nas lesões hepáticas, principalmente nas células não-parenquimatosas. O processo de isquemia e de reperfusão (IR) é um fenômeno complexo que está muito presente na prática clínica e envolve inúmeras vias metabólicas, e acredita-se que a comunicação celular parece ser uma via importante de interação entre células hepáticas, que respondem às alterações da homeostase e insultas. O objetivo da pesquisa foi comprovar a participação da conexina Cx43 na lesão de IR hepática, em um modelo experimental em roedores. A utilização de animais deficientes para Cx43 (\"Knockout\" heterozigotos Cx43+/-) permitiu verificar a evolução da lesão de IR, na deficiência desta conexina. A lesão de IR foi induzida pelo clampeamento do pedículo hepático durante uma hora. Realizou-se então a comparação dos níveis de enzimas hepáticas entre os animais \"Knockout\" e o grupo controle. Com isso se comprovou que a presença da Cx43 melhora o prognóstico em lesões hepáticas. Atualmente, com medicações capazes de bloquear ou aumentar a presença da Cx43 e, tendo em vista os altos índices de doenças hepáticas no Brasil e no mundo, esta é uma importante contribuição nesta área do conhecimento / Connexins are the main protein components of the gap junctions in the liver. There are few studies on the role of gap junctions on liver injury, and they are mainly on non-parenchymal cells. The process of ischemia and reperfusion (IR) is a complex phenomenon that involves many metabolic processes, and we believe that cellular communication is an important interaction mechanism between hepatic cells that respond to alteration of homeostasis and insults. The aim of the project was to prove that connexin Cx43 plays an important role in lesions in hepatic IR in experimental rodent models. The use of Cx43 deficient models (knockout heterozygous Cx43+/-) allowed us to verify the evolution of the liver injury from IR in the deficiency of this connexin. The IR lesion was induced by clamping the hepatic pedicle for one hour. We then carried out a comparison of the levels of hepatic enzymes between the knockout mice and the control group. This demonstrated that the presence of Cx43 altered the prognosis for liver injury. Given that there are medications capable of blocking or increasing the presence of Cx43 selectively or not, and bearing in mind the high rates of hepatic pathologies in Brazil and the rest of the world, this article contributes to understanding of the participation of connexin 43 in liver injury during ischemia and reperfusion

As conexinas são as principais proteínas componentes das junções do tipo GAP no fígado. Existem poucos estudos sobre o papel das junções GAP nas lesões hepáticas, principalmente nas células não-parenquimatosas. O processo de isquemia e de reperfusão (IR) é um fenômeno complexo que está muito presente na prática clínica e envolve inúmeras vias metabólicas, e acredita-se que a comunicação celular parece ser uma via importante de interação entre células hepáticas, que respondem às alterações da homeostase e insultas. O objetivo da pesquisa foi comprovar a participação da conexina Cx43 na lesão de IR hepática, em um modelo experimental em roedores. A utilização de animais deficientes para Cx43 (\"Knockout\" heterozigotos Cx43+/-) permitiu verificar a evolução da lesão de IR, na deficiência desta conexina. A lesão de IR foi induzida pelo clampeamento do pedículo hepático durante uma hora. Realizou-se então a comparação dos níveis de enzimas hepáticas entre os animais \"Knockout\" e o grupo controle. Com isso se comprovou que a presença da Cx43 melhora o prognóstico em lesões hepáticas. Atualmente, com medicações capazes de bloquear ou aumentar a presença da Cx43 e, tendo em vista os altos índices de doenças hepáticas no Brasil e no mundo, esta é uma importante contribuição nesta área do conhecimento / Connexins are the main protein components of the gap junctions in the liver. There are few studies on the role of gap junctions on liver injury, and they are mainly on non-parenchymal cells. The process of ischemia and reperfusion (IR) is a complex phenomenon that involves many metabolic processes, and we believe that cellular communication is an important interaction mechanism between hepatic cells that respond to alteration of homeostasis and insults. The aim of the project was to prove that connexin Cx43 plays an important role in lesions in hepatic IR in experimental rodent models. The use of Cx43 deficient models (knockout heterozygous Cx43+/-) allowed us to verify the evolution of the liver injury from IR in the deficiency of this connexin. The IR lesion was induced by clamping the hepatic pedicle for one hour. We then carried out a comparison of the levels of hepatic enzymes between the knockout mice and the control group. This demonstrated that the presence of Cx43 altered the prognosis for liver injury. Given that there are medications capable of blocking or increasing the presence of Cx43 selectively or not, and bearing in mind the high rates of hepatic pathologies in Brazil and the rest of the world, this article contributes to understanding of the participation of connexin 43 in liver injury during ischemia and reperfusion