Models and methods for in vitro testing of hepatic gap junctional communication. Issue 1 (25th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maes, Michaël; Crespo Yanguas, Sara; Willebrords, Joost; Vinken, Mathieu
• Is Part Of: Toxicology in vitro. Volume 30:Issue 1 Part B(2015)
• Page Start: 569
• Page End: 577
• Publication Date: 2015-12-25
• Subjects: cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate -- Cx connexin -- DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide -- ECM extracellular matrix -- FRAP fluorescence recovery after photobleaching -- GJIC gap junctional intercellular communication -- HDAC(s) histone deacetylase(s) -- LAMP local activation of molecular fluorescent probe -- NAD nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; Gap junction -- Connexin -- Liver -- In vitro model -- Nongenotoxic carcinogen -- Intercellular communication; Toxicity testing -- In vitro -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2015.09.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-2333

Abstract

Abstract: Inherent to their pivotal roles in controlling all aspects of the liver cell life cycle, hepatocellular gap junctions are frequently disrupted upon impairment of the homeostatic balance, as occurs during liver toxicity. Hepatic gap junctions, which are mainly built up by connexin32, are specifically targeted by tumor promoters and epigenetic carcinogens. This renders inhibition of gap junction functionality a suitable indicator for the in vitro detection of nongenotoxic hepatocarcinogenicity. The establishment of a reliable liver gap junction inhibition assay for routine in vitro testing purposes requires a cellular system in which gap junctions are expressed at an in vivo -like level as well as an appropriate technique to probe gap junction activity. Both these models and methods are discussed in the current paper, thereby focusing on connexin32-based gap junctions. Highlights: Liver gap junctions may be used as read-outs for in vitro toxicity testing purposes. Primary hepatocytes are the gold standard model for testing gap junctions in vitro . Gap junction inhibition can be tested by metabolic, electrical and dye coupling methods.