Inhibiting connexin channels protects against cryopreservation-induced cell death in human blood vessels.
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg
; 45(4): 382-90, 2013 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23352273
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Cryopreserved blood vessels are being increasingly employed in vascular reconstruction procedures but freezing/thawing is associated with significant cell death that may lead to graft failure. Vascular cells express connexin proteins that form gap junction channels and hemichannels. Gap junction channels directly connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells and may facilitate the passage of cell death messengers leading to bystander cell death. Two hemichannels form a gap junction channel but these channels are also present as free non-connected hemichannels. Hemichannels are normally closed but may open under stressful conditions and thereby promote cell death. We here investigated whether blocking gap junctions and hemichannels could prevent cell death after cryopreservation. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Inclusion of Gap27, a connexin channel inhibitory peptide, during cryopreservation and thawing of human saphenous veins and femoral arteries was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assays and histological examination.RESULTS:
We report that Gap27 significantly reduces cell death in human femoral arteries and saphenous veins when present during cryopreservation/thawing. In particular, smooth muscle cell death was reduced by 73% in arteries and 71% in veins, while endothelial cell death was reduced by 32% in arteries and 51% in veins.CONCLUSIONS:
We conclude that inhibiting connexin channels during cryopreservation strongly promotes vascular cell viability.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Saphenous Vein
/
Cryopreservation
/
Apoptosis
/
Connexins
/
Cryoprotective Agents
/
Femoral Artery
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg
Journal subject:
ANGIOLOGIA
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bélgica