open access

Vol 42, No 4 (2004)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2005-02-12
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Expression of connexins 26, 32 and 43 in the human colon--an immunohistochemical study.

Luiza Kanczuga-Koda, Stanislaw Sulkowski, Mariusz Koda, Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska, Mariola Sulkowska
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2004;42(4):203-207.

open access

Vol 42, No 4 (2004)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2005-02-12

Abstract

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is a mechanism for direct cell-to-cell signalling and is mediated by gap junctions (GJs), which consist of proteins called connexins (Cxs). GJIC plays a critical role in tissue development and differentiation and is important in maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the expression of Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43 in the human colon. Surgical specimens were obtained from patients who underwent surgical resection of colorectal tumours. Tissue samples (50 cases) were collected from normal colon, at the maximum distance from the tumor. Using antibodies for Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43, immunohistochemical detection was made. In epithelial cells, strong Cx26 immunoreactivity was found, whereas Cx32 and Cx43 were sparsely distributed. Strong Cx43 immunostaining in muscularis mucosae was observed. In the circular layer of muscularis externa, expression of Cx43 and Cx26 was seen, but only in the portion closest to the submucosa. No immunoreactivity was found in the longitudinal muscle layer. Small vessels stained positively only for Cx43. Furthermore, there was no difference in staining between samples derived from various sections of the colon. This study showed immunohistochemically for the first time the expression of Cx26 in human colon mucosa.

Abstract

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is a mechanism for direct cell-to-cell signalling and is mediated by gap junctions (GJs), which consist of proteins called connexins (Cxs). GJIC plays a critical role in tissue development and differentiation and is important in maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the expression of Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43 in the human colon. Surgical specimens were obtained from patients who underwent surgical resection of colorectal tumours. Tissue samples (50 cases) were collected from normal colon, at the maximum distance from the tumor. Using antibodies for Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43, immunohistochemical detection was made. In epithelial cells, strong Cx26 immunoreactivity was found, whereas Cx32 and Cx43 were sparsely distributed. Strong Cx43 immunostaining in muscularis mucosae was observed. In the circular layer of muscularis externa, expression of Cx43 and Cx26 was seen, but only in the portion closest to the submucosa. No immunoreactivity was found in the longitudinal muscle layer. Small vessels stained positively only for Cx43. Furthermore, there was no difference in staining between samples derived from various sections of the colon. This study showed immunohistochemically for the first time the expression of Cx26 in human colon mucosa.
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About this article
Title

Expression of connexins 26, 32 and 43 in the human colon--an immunohistochemical study.

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 42, No 4 (2004)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

203-207

Published online

2005-02-12

Page views

1547

Article views/downloads

1228

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2004;42(4):203-207.

Authors

Luiza Kanczuga-Koda
Stanislaw Sulkowski
Mariusz Koda
Maria Sobaniec-Lotowska
Mariola Sulkowska

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