Functionally Active Gap Junctions between Connexin 43-Positive Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Glioma Cells

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2015 May;159(1):173-9. doi: 10.1007/s10517-015-2916-7. Epub 2015 Jun 2.

Abstract

The formation of functional gap junctions between mesenchymal stem cells and cells of low-grade rat glioma C6 cells was studied in in vitro experiments. Immunocytochemical analysis with antibodies to connexin 43 extracellular loop 2 showed that mesenchymal stem cells as well as C6 glioma cells express the main astroglial gap junction protein connexin 43. Analysis of migration activity showed that mesenchymal stem cells actively migrate towards C6 glioma cells. During co-culturing, mesenchymal stem cells and glioma C6 form functionally active gap junctions mediating the transport of cytoplasmic dye from glioma cells to mesenchymal stem cells in the opposite direction. Fluorometry showed that the intensity of transport of low-molecular substances through heterologous gap junctions between mesenchymal stem cells and glioma cells is similar to that through homologous gap junctions between glioma cells. This phenomenon can be used for the development of new methods of cell therapy of high-grade gliomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / physiology*
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Connexin 43 / biosynthesis
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Fluorometry
  • Gap Junctions / physiology*
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Gja1 protein, rat