ATP Release from Vascular Endothelia Occurs Across Cx43 Hemichannels and Is Attenuated during Hypoxia
2008

How Low Oxygen Affects ATP Release from Blood Vessel Cells

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Faigle Marion, Seessle Jessica, Zug Stephanie, El Kasmi Karim C., Eltzschig Holger K.

Primary Institution: Tübingen University Hospital

Hypothesis

Vascular endothelia represent an important source for extracellular ATP elevation during hypoxic conditions.

Conclusion

Endothelial ATP release is significantly reduced during hypoxia due to the repression of connexin 43 expression and increased phosphorylation of Cx43.

Supporting Evidence

  • Extracellular ATP release from vascular endothelia is significantly reduced following hypoxia exposure.
  • Cx43 expression is repressed during hypoxia, leading to decreased ATP release.
  • Phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine368 increases during hypoxia, contributing to the closure of hemichannels.

Takeaway

When blood vessel cells are exposed to low oxygen, they release less ATP, which is important for signaling in the body. This happens because a protein called connexin 43 is affected by the low oxygen.

Methodology

The study involved culturing human microvascular endothelial cells and measuring ATP release under normoxic and hypoxic conditions using various pharmacological inhibitors.

Limitations

The study used a cultured endothelial cell line, which may not fully represent the complex interactions in actual blood vessels.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0002801

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