Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

52.4K
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...
52.4K
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias01:28

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

848
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
848
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

1.4K
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
1.4K
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

135
Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
135
Contact-dependent Signaling01:19

Contact-dependent Signaling

44.0K
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...
44.0K
Heart Valves01:17

Heart Valves

3.8K
The human heart is a complex organ with an intricate system of valves that regulate blood flow. There are two main types of valves: atrioventricular (AV) valves and semilunar valves.
The AV valves prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria during ventricular contraction. These valves function with the assistance of the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. When the ventricles are relaxed, the chordae tendineae are slack, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the...
3.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Astrocytic connexin43 phosphorylation contributes to seizure susceptibility after mild traumatic brain injury.

The FEBS journal·2026
Same author

Intercalated disk structure, tissue heterogeneity and ion channel distribution modulate conduction and local calcium influx.

The Journal of physiology·2026
Same author

Cytoplasmic connexin43-microtubule interactions promote glioblastoma stem-like cell maintenance and tumorigenicity.

Cell death & disease·2025
Same author

Optimized enrichment of murine blood-brain barrier vessels with a critical focus on network hierarchy in post-collection analysis.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Astrocytic connexin43 phosphorylation contributes to seizure susceptibility after mild traumatic brain injury.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

Connexin 43 regulates intercellular mitochondrial transfer from human mesenchymal stromal cells to chondrocytes.

Stem cell research & therapy·2024
Same journal

Diagnostic Tests for Stage B Heart Failure.

Current cardiology reports·2026
Same journal

Cardioimmunology of Myocarditis: Targeting the IL-1 Pathway.

Current cardiology reports·2026
Same journal

Antithrombotic Management in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome Receiving Oral Anticoagulation.

Current cardiology reports·2026
Same journal

Transcriptome Reprogramming in Heart Failure: The Hidden Splicing Code.

Current cardiology reports·2026
Same journal

Diagnosis and Management of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Evidence Gaps and Future Directions.

Current cardiology reports·2026
Same journal

Correction: Heart Disease in Older Women: Unique Challenges in Diagnosis and Management.

Current cardiology reports·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Developing a Translational Model for Atrial Fibrillation Research Across Species
08:52

Author Spotlight: Developing a Translational Model for Atrial Fibrillation Research Across Species

Published on: November 21, 2023

766

Viral Infection and Connexin Dysfunction in the Heart.

Chelsea M Phillips1, James W Smyth2,3,4,5,6

  • 1Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA.

Current Cardiology Reports
|March 27, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Viral infections disrupt cardiac gap junctions through inflammation and direct viral targeting. Understanding these connexin alterations is key for developing new treatments for acute viral heart infections distinct from myocarditis.

Keywords:
ArrhythmiaConnexinGap JunctionInfectionMyocarditisVirus

More Related Videos

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
09:20

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Published on: October 4, 2019

5.5K
Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
10:46

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

Published on: July 16, 2013

16.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Developing a Translational Model for Atrial Fibrillation Research Across Species
08:52

Author Spotlight: Developing a Translational Model for Atrial Fibrillation Research Across Species

Published on: November 21, 2023

766
Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
09:20

Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption

Published on: October 4, 2019

5.5K
Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
10:46

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

Published on: July 16, 2013

16.2K

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Gap junctions, formed by connexin proteins, are crucial for cardiomyocyte electrical and metabolic coupling.
  • Disruption of cardiac gap junctions can lead to arrhythmias and impacts antiviral immune responses.
  • Connexins are increasingly recognized as targets for viruses during infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of inflammation and virally encoded factors in altering cardiac gap junction function.
  • To differentiate the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction in acute viral infection versus chronic myocarditis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on viral infections and cardiac gap junctions.
  • Analysis of studies investigating connexin alterations due to host immune responses and viral proteins.

Main Results:

  • Both host immune responses (inflammation) and virally encoded factors directly target connexin function in the heart.
  • Diverse viral species have evolved mechanisms to directly interfere with connexin function.
  • Acute viral infections have distinct effects on cardiac gap junctions compared to chronic myocarditis.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the dual impact of inflammation and viral factors on cardiac gap junctions is critical.
  • This knowledge is essential for developing targeted therapeutics for acute viral cardiac infections.
  • Distinguishing acute viral infection from chronic myocarditis is vital for effective treatment strategies.