Features
•Examines direct intercellular communication through gap junction channels and the key involvement of gap junction channels in health and disease
•Includes basic research, clinical practice, and commercial applications
•Discusses inflammation of the lung, brain, and skin, hypoxia and endothelial cell dysfunction, and atherosclerosis
•Describes connexin-specific pharmacology and therapeutic approaches under development for future use, especially in the areas of wound healing
•Suggests new areas of research in immunology and immunopathology


Summary

Plasma membrane-associated channels known as gap junctions, along with their protein building blocks—connexins—have an important functional role in a range of immunological processes, including heart function, cell growth and specialization, and early development. Spanning basic science and potential clinical applications, Connexin Cell Communication Channels: Roles in the Immune System and Immunopathology assembles and synthesizes four decades of the most important research carried out in this field.


The book first provides a historical overview of the discovery of these membrane channels in cells and tissues of the immune system. It describes their general molecular and biological characteristics and examines how they participate in the evolution, organization, function, and regulation of leukocytes, as well as their interaction with other tissues.


The next section examines immunologically related disease scenarios where gap junctions and connexins have been shown to play a fundamental role. The contributors explain how gap junctional communication participates in the establishment and maintenance of immunological properties such as antibody and cytokine production, as well as lymphocyte immune surveillance in both physiological and pathological conditions. The book explores the most important technical approaches used and how they have been specially adapted to answer key biological questions particular to the mobile nature of leukocytes. It also describes the most recent understanding of how gap junctions and connexins participate in antigen recognition, cross-presentation, lymphocyte activation, and in the assembly and function of the immunological synapse.


Finally, the book focuses on the latest progress made on translating the knowledge gained to specific treatment modalities. Topics in this section include approaches for reducing scarring and cardiac arrhythmia, combating inflammation in the central nervous system, and enhancing epithelial tissue repair. A comprehensive view of achievements in this promising field, the book will inform and update specialists, clinical practitioners, and those studying the potential for commercial applications.

Immunology and Cell Biology
Communication in the Immune System by Connexin Channels; Ernesto Oviedo-Orta and William Howard Evans
Gap Junctions and Connexins in the Hematopoietic-Immune System: Structural Considerations; Tibor Krenacs, Ivett Zsakovics, Gergo Kiszner, and Martin Rosendaal
Approaches for Studying the Role(s) of Gap Junctions in the Immune System; Aaron M. Glass, Thien D. Nguyen, and Steven M. Taffet
Gap Junctions in Antigen-Presenting Cells; Pablo J. Sáez, Kenji F. Shoji, and Juan Carlos Sáez
Connect the Immune System: Roles of Gap Junctions in Antigen Presentation and T Cell Activation; Baoxu Pang and Jacques Neefjes
Gap Junctions and Connexins in the Immune Defense against Tumors; Flavio A. Salazar-Onfray
Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases
Connexins in Atherosclerosis; Laurent Burnier and Brenda R. Kwak
Connexins in Lung Function and Inflammation; Marc Chanson and Michael Koval
Effect of Oxidative Stress on Connexins in the Vasculature; Marie Billaud, Scott R. Johnstone, Katherine R. Heberlein, Adam C. Straub, and Brant E. Isakson
Regulation of Gap Junctions and Cellular Coupling within the Microvasculature in Response to Acute Inflammation; Darcy Lidington and Karel Tyml
Impact of Microglial Activation on Astroglial Connexin Expression and Function in Brain Inflammation; Christian Giaume, Nicolas Froger, Juan Andrés Orellana, Mauricio Retamal, and Juan Carlos Sáez
A Role for Connexins in Inflammatory Disorders of the Epidermis; Steven Donnelly, Catherine S. Wright, Maurice A. M. van Steensel, Malcolm B. Hodgins, and Patricia E. Martin
Connexin-Based Therapeutical Approaches in Inflammatory Diseases
Translating Basic Research on Cx43 Gap Junctions into Therapies for Reducing Scarring and Cardiac Arrhythmia; Robert G. Gourdie, J. Matthew Rhett, Emily L. Ongstad, Joseph A. Palatinus, and Michael P. O’Quinn
Connexin-Based Therapeutic Approaches to Inflammation in the Central Nervous System; Jie Zhang, Simon J. O’Carroll, Helen V. Danesh-Meyer, Henri C. Van der Heyde, David L. Becker,
Louise F. B. Nicholson, and Colin R. Green
Enhancing Epithelial Tissue Repair and Reducing Inflammation by Targeting Connexins; David L. Becker, Jeremy E. Cook, Peter Cormie, Colin R. Green, Ariadna Mendoza-Naranjo, Anthony
R. J. Phillips, Antonio E. Serrano, and Christopher Thrasivoulou
Index