In this study, using a murine model with an astrocyte-directed deletion of Cx43 gene (hGFAP-cre Cx43<sup>fl/fl</sup>) and control Cx43<sup>fl/fl</sup> mice, we examined whether few HIV-infected human astrocytoma cells (U87-CD4-CCR5), microinjected into the mouse cortex, can spread toxicity and apoptosis through GJ-mediated mechanisms, into the mouse cells, which are resistant to HIV infection.
Some microRNAs associated to glioma target Cx43 and could explain the lack of correlation between mRNA and protein levels of Cx43 found in some high-grade astrocytomas.
However, it remains elusive whether cAMP and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac2), have a regulatory effect on Cx43 and microRNA-451 (miR-451) in astrocytoma cells.
To gain access to the role played by gap junctional communication in ICW propagation generated by P2YR activation, we selectively expressed P2Y(1,2,4)R subtypes and Cx43 in the human 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line, which lacks endogenous P2 receptors.