Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Gap Junctions

Gap Junctions

Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...

Gap Junctions

Gap Junctions

The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another cell. These cell junctions are classified into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...

Autoregulation of Blood Flow

Autoregulation of Blood Flow

Autoregulation mechanisms are characterized by their inherent capacity for self-regulation without necessitating specific nervous stimulation or endocrine control. These mechanisms facilitate the adjustment of blood flow and, therefore, perfusion specific to each tissue region. This self-regulation encompasses chemical signals and myogenic controls.
Chemical Signaling in Autoregulation
Chemical signaling operates at the precapillary sphincter level, inciting either contraction or relaxation.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Three-Dimensional Perfusion Imaging of Microcirculatory Networks Within Axially Vascularized Artificial Tissue.

Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods·2026

Same author

Two-Photon Fabrication of Donor-Specific Human Lamina Cribrosa Models.

Translational vision science & technology·2025

Same author

Orthoplastic tarsal reconstruction using a chimeric vascularized bone graft in a heavy smoker: a case report.

Journal of surgical case reports·2025

Same author

Engineering Vascularized Transplantable Soft Tissue Free Flaps in Sheep Using the Arteriovenous Loop Technique.

Tissue engineering. Part A·2025

Same author

[Reconstruction of Oncological Defects in the Pelvic-perineal Region: Report on the Consensus Workshop at the 44th Annual Meeting of the DAM 2023 in Bern, CH].

Handchirurgie, Mikrochirurgie, plastische Chirurgie : Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Handchirurgie : Organ der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Mikrochirurgie der Peripheren Nerven und Gefasse : Organ der V...·2024

Same author

Free Flap Reconstruction of Sternal Defects after Cardiac Surgery: An Algorithmic Approach for Dealing with Sparse Recipient Vessels.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

Gap junctions synchronize vascular tone within the microcirculation.

Volker J Schmidt¹, Stephanie E Wölfle, Markus Boettcher

¹Institut für Physiologie, Universität zu Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck, Germany.

Pharmacological Reports : PR

|February 16, 2008

Summary

Connexins, like connexin40 (Cx40), form gap junctions in blood vessels, enabling cell communication for coordinated responses. Cx40 is crucial for vascular and kidney functions, potentially impacting hypertension.

More Related Videos

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Published on: October 4, 2019

Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles

Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles

Published on: May 23, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 16, 2013

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Published on: October 4, 2019

Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles

Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles

Published on: May 23, 2016

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Physiology
Cellular Biology
Renal Physiology

Background:

Gap junctions, formed by connexins (Cx40, Cx37, Cx43, Cx45), facilitate intercellular communication in the cardiovascular system.
These junctions allow ion and small molecule transfer, enabling electrical signal propagation along vascular walls.
This coupling underlies conducted vasomotor responses, such as dilation and constriction, crucial for regulating blood flow.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the physiological functions of connexins in arterioles.
To highlight the critical role of connexin40 (Cx40) in vascular signal transduction and kidney function.
To discuss the implications of Cx40 deficiency in hypertension.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on connexins in cardiovascular and renal systems.
Analysis of the role of gap junctions in conducted vasomotor responses.
Examination of Cx40's function in endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
Investigation of Cx40's role in renal renin secretion and its link to hypertension.

Main Results:

Connexins mediate longitudinal cell coupling in arterioles, enabling conducted responses.
Cx40 is essential for signal transduction along the endothelial cell layer, mediating conducted dilations.
Cx40 also plays a role in pressure feedback regulation of renin synthesis in the kidney.
Cx40 deficiency is associated with hypertension in animal models due to impaired vascular and renal functions.

Conclusions:

Conducted responses, facilitated by connexins, are vital for matching oxygen delivery to tissue needs.
Cx40 is a key regulator of vascular tone and blood pressure through its roles in arterioles and the kidney.
Dysfunction of Cx40 contributes to the development of hypertension.