Extracellular nucleotides (eg, ATP, ADP, UTP, UDP) released by inflammatory cells interact
with specific purinergic P2 type receptors to modulate their recruitment and activation. The …

Our understanding of the functions of cardiac fibroblasts has moved beyond their roles in
heart structure and extracellular matrix generation and now includes their contributions to …

Connexins are ubiquitous channel forming proteins that assemble as plasma membrane
hemichannels and as intercellular gap junction channels that directly connect cells. In the …

In the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes form networks interconnected by gap
junctions made from connexins of the subtypes Cx30 and Cx43. When unopposed by an …

The intercalated disc (ID) is a highly specialized structure that connects cardiomyocytes via
mechanical and electrical junctions. Although described in some detail by light microscopy …

Connexins are a family of transmembrane proteins that play a key role in cardiac physiology.
Gap junctional channels put into contact the cytoplasms of connected cardiomyocytes …

Communication is important to ensure the correct and efficient flow of information, which is
required to sustain active social networks. A fine-tuned communication between cells is vital …

While gap junctions support the exchange of a number of molecules between neighboring
cells, connexin hemichannels provide communication between the cytosol and the …

Cx43, a major cardiac connexin, forms precursor hemichannels that accrue at the
intercalated disc to assemble as gap junctions. While gap junctions are crucial for electrical …

Functional interaction between neurons and glia is an exciting field that has expanded
tremendously during the past decade. Such partnership has multiple impacts on neuronal …