Effect of zymosan on the expression and function of the gap-junction protein connexin 43 in human corneal fibroblasts
Author:
Corresponding Author:

Ye Liu. Department of Pathology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 52 Road Meihuadong, Zhuhai 519000, Guangzhou Province, China. liuye23@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Affiliation:

Clc Number:

Fund Project:

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81770889); the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (No.2018A030313428); the Zhuhai Science and Technology Program (No.20191210E030077).

  • Article
  • |
  • Figures
  • |
  • Metrics
  • |
  • Reference
  • |
  • Related
  • |
  • Cited by
  • |
  • Materials
  • |
  • Comments
    Abstract:

    AIM: To study the effect of zymosan, a ligand found on the surface of fungi, on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in cultured human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs). METHODS: Zymosan was added to the medium of cultured HCFs with or without the administration of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors or the inhibitor kappa B kinase 2 (IKK2) inhibitor IV. The protein and mRNA levels of connexin 43 (Cx43) in HCFs were measured by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses. The GJIC activity was tested using a dye-coupling assay. RESULTS: The reduction of Cx43 protein and mRNA levels as well as a significant decrease in GJIC activity were observed in cultured HCFs when zymosan was added into the culture medium. Compared with controls (no zymosan), the protein level of Cx43 was reduced by 45% and 54% in the presence of zymosan at 200 and 600 μg/mL, respectively (P<0.05); and it was reduced by 45%, 48%, and 75% in the presence of zymosan (600 μg/mL) for 24, 36, and 48h, respectively (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of Cx43 was reduced by 98% in the presence of zymosan (P<0.05). The effects of zymosan on Cx43 expression and GJIC activity were attenuated by the administration of PD98059 [an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling inhibitor] (P<0.05), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor II (P<0.05), and IKK2 inhibitor IV (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Zymosan inhibits the activity of GJIC in cultured HCFs. This effect is likely regulated via the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), MAPK/ERK, and JNK signaling pathways. The inhibitory effects of zymosan on Cx43 expression and GJIC activity in HCFs may induce damage of corneal stroma during corneal fungal infection.

    Reference
    Related
    Cited by
Get Citation

Xiao-Shuo Zheng, Hui Zheng, Dan Xu, et al. Effect of zymosan on the expression and function of the gap-junction protein connexin 43 in human corneal fibroblasts. Int J Ophthalmol, 2021,14(3):341-348

Copy
Share
Article Metrics
  • Abstract:
  • PDF:
  • HTML:
  • Cited by:
Publication History
  • Received:May 18,2020
  • Revised:November 17,2020
  • Adopted:
  • Online: February 24,2021
  • Published: