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Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections

In vertebrates, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) are proteins that form gap junction channels and/or hemichannels located at cell-cell interfaces and cell surface, respectively. Similar channel types are formed by innexins in invertebrate cells. These channels serve as pathways for cellular com...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Vega, José Luis, Subiabre, Mario, Figueroa, Felipe, Schalper, Kurt Alex, Osorio, Luis, González, Jorge, Sáez, Juan Carlos
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819887/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24236292
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/589130
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author Vega, José Luis
Subiabre, Mario
Figueroa, Felipe
Schalper, Kurt Alex
Osorio, Luis
González, Jorge
Sáez, Juan Carlos
author_facet Vega, José Luis
Subiabre, Mario
Figueroa, Felipe
Schalper, Kurt Alex
Osorio, Luis
González, Jorge
Sáez, Juan Carlos
author_sort Vega, José Luis
collection PubMed
description In vertebrates, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) are proteins that form gap junction channels and/or hemichannels located at cell-cell interfaces and cell surface, respectively. Similar channel types are formed by innexins in invertebrate cells. These channels serve as pathways for cellular communication that coordinate diverse physiologic processes. However, it is known that many acquired and inherited diseases deregulate Cx and/or Panx channels, condition that frequently worsens the pathological state of vertebrates. Recent evidences suggest that Cx and/or Panx hemichannels play a relevant role in bacterial and viral infections. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of Cx- and Panx-based channels in parasitic infections of vertebrates. In this review, available data on changes in Cx and gap junction channel changes induced by parasitic infections are summarized. Additionally, we describe recent findings that suggest possible roles of hemichannels in parasitic infections. Finally, the possibility of new therapeutic designs based on hemichannel blokers is presented.
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spelling pubmed-38198872013-11-14 Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections Vega, José Luis Subiabre, Mario Figueroa, Felipe Schalper, Kurt Alex Osorio, Luis González, Jorge Sáez, Juan Carlos Biomed Res Int Review Article In vertebrates, connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) are proteins that form gap junction channels and/or hemichannels located at cell-cell interfaces and cell surface, respectively. Similar channel types are formed by innexins in invertebrate cells. These channels serve as pathways for cellular communication that coordinate diverse physiologic processes. However, it is known that many acquired and inherited diseases deregulate Cx and/or Panx channels, condition that frequently worsens the pathological state of vertebrates. Recent evidences suggest that Cx and/or Panx hemichannels play a relevant role in bacterial and viral infections. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of Cx- and Panx-based channels in parasitic infections of vertebrates. In this review, available data on changes in Cx and gap junction channel changes induced by parasitic infections are summarized. Additionally, we describe recent findings that suggest possible roles of hemichannels in parasitic infections. Finally, the possibility of new therapeutic designs based on hemichannel blokers is presented. Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2013 2013-10-23 /pmc/articles/PMC3819887/ /pubmed/24236292 http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/589130 Text en Copyright © 2013 José Luis Vega et al. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
spellingShingle Review Article
Vega, José Luis
Subiabre, Mario
Figueroa, Felipe
Schalper, Kurt Alex
Osorio, Luis
González, Jorge
Sáez, Juan Carlos
Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections
title Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections
title_full Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections
title_fullStr Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections
title_full_unstemmed Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections
title_short Role of Gap Junctions and Hemichannels in Parasitic Infections
title_sort role of gap junctions and hemichannels in parasitic infections
topic Review Article
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819887/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24236292
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/589130
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