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Connexin 43 expression in irradiated human neck skin: a prospective case-control study
Hao Li1, Jacob William Wilson2, Jocelin Wei Ling Poh3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Annals of Translational Medicine
|March 21, 2025
Summary
Connexin 43 (Cx43) overexpression is linked to chronic wounds. This study found no significant change in Cx43 expression in irradiated human neck skin, suggesting radiotherapy may not impact Cx43 levels in this tissue.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chronic cutaneous wounds in humans are associated with connexin 43 (Cx43) overexpression.
- Radiotherapy can induce chronic wounds in human epithelia.
- Previous studies noted increased Cx43 in irradiated murine skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Cx43 expression in irradiated human neck skin.
- To determine if Cx43 inhibition could be a novel wound treatment for radiotherapy patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of adult patients undergoing neck surgery.
- Comparison of Cx43 expression in neck skin from patients with and without prior radiotherapy.
- Immunohistochemical staining and confocal microscopy quantification of Cx43.
- Assessment of wound healing postoperatively.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in Cx43 expression was found between skin with and without prior radiotherapy (94.2 vs. 146.4 pixel-area/nucleus, P=0.39).
- Patients with prior radiotherapy showed relative anemia, but hemoglobin levels did not correlate with Cx43 expression.
- All surgical skin incisions healed without complications.
Conclusions:
- Prior radiotherapy may not alter Cx43 expression in human neck skin.
- Further research is needed to explore Cx43 in chronic radiation-induced wounds and acute radiation dermatitis.
