EXPRESSION OF CONNEXIN29 AND 32 IN THE PENUNMRA REGION FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY OF MICE

Abstract

Connexins (Cx) are transmembrane proteins consisting of vertebrate gap junction channels for direct cell-cell communication. We found that the expressions of two Cx family members, Cx29 and Cx32, were progressively increased in the sharp border of injury penumbra regions after cryo-traumatic brain injury. While these two Cxs are expressed exclusively in the oligodendrocytes in normal cerebral cortex, their expressions were increased in the astrocytes and microglia localized in the injury border. Highly selective induction of Cxs in the injury border suggests that altered gap junction activity in this area may contribute to the propagation of injury-related signals after acute brain injury.