Connexins and atherosclerosis

Studies on human blood vessels and on mouse models, as well as population studies, have led to the hypothesis that connexins play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This inflammatory disease in the vascular wall involves three main cell types that closely interact with each other - monocytes/macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells - which each express a distinct pattern of connexins. Expression of the three major vascular connexins, Cx37, Cx40, and Cx43, is differentially modified in atheroma-associated cells during atherosclerotic plaque development. Mouse models have shown that Cx43 has an atherogenic effect, whereas Cx37 and Cx40 seem to be atheroprotective. Several mechanisms underlying these respective effects have been proposed.