Extracellular currents alter gap junction intercellular communication in synovial fibroblasts
- 12 March 2003
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Bioelectromagnetics
- Vol. 24 (3), 199-205
- https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.10085
Abstract
We studied the effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) currents on gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) mediated by connexin43 protein. Confluent monolayers of synovial fibroblasts (HIG‐82) and neuroblastoma cells (5Y) were exposed in bath solution to 0–75 mA/m2 (0–56 mV/m), 60 Hz. Single channel conductance, cell membrane current‐voltage (I‐V) curves, and Ca2+ influx were measured using the nystatin single and double patch methods. The conductances of the closed and open states of the gap junction channel in HIG‐82 cells were each significantly reduced (by 0.76 and 0.39 pA, respectively) in cells exposed to 20 mA/m2. Current densities as low as 10 mA/m2 significantly increased Ca2+ influx in HIG‐82 cells. No effects were seen in 5Y cells. The I‐V curves of the plasma membranes of both types of cells were independent of 60 Hz electric fields and current densities, 0–75 mA/m2, indicating that the effect of the 60 Hz fields on GJIC in HIG‐82 cells was not mediated by a change in membrane potential. We conclude that ELF electric fields can alter GJIC in synovial cells via a mechanism that does not depend on changes in membrane potential, but may depend on Ca2+ influx. The results open the possibility that GJIC mediated responses in synovial cells, such as for example, their secretory responses to proinflammatory cytokines, could be antagonized by the application of ELF electric fields. Bioelectromagnetics 24:199–205, 2003.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Interventional neurophysiology for pain control: duration of pain relief following repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortexNeurophysiologie Clinique, 2001
- Reduction in inflammation-induced sensitization of dorsal horn neurons by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in anesthetized ratsExperimental Brain Research, 2001
- Upregulation of gap junctional intercellular communication and connexin 43 expression by cyclic-AMP and all- trans -retinoic acid is associated with glutathione depletion and chemosensitivity in neuroblastoma cellsCancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 2001
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation applications and potential use in chronic pain: studies in waitingJournal of the Neurological Sciences, 2000
- Gap junctions in human synovial cells and tissueJournal of Cellular Physiology, 2000
- Resting potential of excitable neuroblastoma cells in weak magnetic fieldsCellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2000
- The cellular internet: On‐line with connexinsBioEssays, 1996
- The Gap Junction Communication ChannelCell, 1996
- Electrophysiological evidence for the antinociceptive effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on mechanically evoked responsiveness of dorsal horn neurons in neuropathic ratsNeuroscience Letters, 1995
- Gap junction impedance, tissue dielectrics and thermal noise limits for electromagnetic field bioeffectsBioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics, 1994