Wnt-PLC-IP3-Connexin-Ca2+ axis maintains ependymal motile cilia in zebrafish spinal cord

Nat Commun. 2020 Apr 20;11(1):1860. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15248-2.

Abstract

Ependymal cells (ECs) are multiciliated neuroepithelial cells that line the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord (SC). How ependymal motile cilia are maintained remains largely unexplored. Here we show that zebrafish embryos deficient in Wnt signaling have defective motile cilia, yet harbor intact basal bodies. With respect to maintenance of ependymal motile cilia, plcδ3a is a target gene of Wnt signaling. Lack of Connexin43 (Cx43), especially its channel function, decreases motile cilia and intercellular Ca2+ wave (ICW) propagation. Genetic ablation of cx43 in zebrafish and mice diminished motile cilia. Finally, Cx43 is also expressed in ECs of the human SC. Taken together, our findings indicate that gap junction mediated ICWs play an important role in the maintenance of ependymal motile cilia, and suggest that the enhancement of functional gap junctions by pharmacological or genetic manipulations may be adopted to ameliorate motile ciliopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cilia / genetics
  • Cilia / metabolism*
  • Connexin 43 / genetics
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism*
  • Connexins / metabolism*
  • Ependyma / metabolism*
  • Ependyma / pathology
  • Gap Junctions
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / genetics
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish Proteins / genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Connexin 43
  • Connexins
  • Zebrafish Proteins