Connexin43 Modulates X-Ray-Induced Pyroptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Chen LI; Mei Tian; Qiao Gou; Yong Rui Jia; Xu SU

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Connexin43 Modulates X-Ray-Induced Pyroptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Author: Chen LI ¹ ; Mei TIAN ¹ ; Qiao GOU ¹ ; Yong Rui JIA ² ; Xu SU ¹
Author Information

1. China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China.
2. Medical and Health Analysis Center, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Connexin43; HUVECs; Pyroptosis; X-ray
MeSH: Caspase 1; genetics; metabolism; Connexin 43; genetics; metabolism; Connexins; genetics; metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; radiation effects; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; physiology; radiation effects; Humans; Nerve Tissue Proteins; genetics; metabolism; Pyroptosis; X-Rays; adverse effects
From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2019;32(3):177-188
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death. This phenomenon has been recently reported to play an important role in radiation-induced normal tissue injury. Connexin43 (Cx43) is a gap junction protein that regulates cell growth and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of Cx43 on X-ray-induced pyroptosis in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
METHODS:HUVECs, Cx43 overexpression, and Cx43 knockdown strains were irradiated with 10 Gy. Proteins were detected using western blot analysis. Cell pyroptosis was evaluated using the fluorescence-labeled inhibitor of caspase assay (FLICA) and propidium iodide staining through flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Cell morphology and cytotoxicity were detected by scanning electron microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase release assay, respectively.
RESULTS:Irradiation with 10 Gy X-ray induced pyroptosis in the HUVECs and reduced Cx43 expression. The pyroptosis in the HUVECs was significantly attenuated by overexpression of Cx43 as it decreased the level of active caspase-1. However, interference of Cx43 expression with siRNA significantly promoted pyroptosis by increasing the active caspase-1 level. Pannexin1 (Panx1), a gap junction protein regulates pyroptosis, and its cleaved form is used to evaluate channel opening and active state. The level of cleaved Panx1 in the HUVECs and Cx43 knockdown strains increased in the presence of X-ray, but decreased in the Cx43 overexpression strains. Furthermore, interference of Panx1 with siRNA alleviated the upregulation of pyroptosis caused by Cx43 knockdown.
CONCLUSION:Results suggest that single high-dose X-ray irradiation induces pyroptosis in the HUVECs. In addition, Cx43 regulates pyroptosis directly by activating caspase-1 or indirectly by cleaving Panx1.