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Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
Published on: September 9, 2016
Descending vasa recta endothelium is an electrical syncytium
Qingli Zhang1, Chunhua Cao, Michael Mangano
1Division of Nephrology N3W143, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Summary
Descending vasa recta (DVR) endothelium forms an electrical syncytium, with gap junctions facilitating communication. Pericyte coupling is present but less pronounced, influencing cellular signaling within the DVR.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cell Biology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Descending vasa recta (DVR) are crucial for renal medullary blood flow and oxygenation.
- The role of intercellular communication, specifically gap junction coupling, in DVR function is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent and nature of gap junction coupling in DVR endothelial cells and pericytes.
- To elucidate the contribution of connexins to intercellular communication within the DVR.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings (capacitance transients) to assess cell coupling.
- Dye loading (Lucifer yellow) to visualize intercellular communication.
- Voltage clamp and fluorescence imaging (DiBAC(4)(3)) to monitor electrical signals.
- Connexin (Cx) immunostaining to identify expressed connexin isoforms.
Main Results:
- DVR endothelial cells exhibit robust gap junction coupling, forming an electrical syncytium.
- Pericytes show some degree of gap junction coupling, but it is less pronounced than in endothelial cells.
- Specific connexin isoforms (Cx40, Cx43 in endothelium; Cx37 in pericytes) are identified, correlating with observed coupling patterns.
- Pharmacological agents (carbenoxolone, 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, heptanol) differentially affected endothelial and pericyte coupling.
Conclusions:
- The DVR endothelium functions as a synchronized electrical unit due to extensive gap junction coupling.
- Gap junction coupling in DVR pericytes is present but limited, suggesting a distinct role in DVR microcirculation.
- Connexin expression patterns underlie the observed differences in intercellular communication between DVR endothelial cells and pericytes.
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