Cx43 Facilitates Mesenchymal Transition of Endothelial Cells Induced by Shear Stress

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the function of Cx43 in the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) process of endothelial cells (ECs) and to explore the potential signaling pathways underlying these functions. METHODS: ECs were extracted from rat aorta. ECs were transfected with Cx43 cDNA and Cx43 siRNA and then exposed to 5 or 12 dyne/cm(2). Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of SM22α, Cx43, and acetylated α-tubulin in ECs. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of α-SMA, CD31, Cx43, H1-calponin, Ift88, and p-smad3 in ECs. RESULTS: The expression of αSMA, SM22α, and Cx43 was significantly increased, and CD31 was markedly decreased in ECs treated with laminar shear stress at 5 dyn/cm(2). The Cx43 cDNA transfection could induce the expression of SM22α or H1-calponin and attenuate CD31 expression in ECs. Also, Cx43 overexpression harms cilia formation in ECs exposed to 5 dyn/cm(2), accompanied with the regulated Ift88 and smad signaling. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that laminar shear stress at 5 dyn/cm(2) would increase the expression of Cx43 to facilitate the EndMT process of ECs, associated with morphological changes in primary cilia and the decreased expression of Ift88 in ECs.