Figure 8.
Cx43 conductivity modulates lung inflammation in mice instilled with LPS. (A) The number of neutrophils (PMN) was monitored 24 hrs after IT instillation of LPS in mice expressing a truncated allele of Cx43 (Cx43K258stop/− mice). The response was significantly increased in Cx43K258stop/− mice 24 hrs after LPS treatment (n= 8 mice) as compared to Cx43+/− mice or their Cx43K258stop/+ littermates (n= 8 mice). Pooled values from 24–26 Cx43+/+ and Cx43+/− animals taken from Fig. 2 are shown for comparison. *Indicates P < 0.05; **indicates P < 0.01. (B) Treatment of inflamed lungs with 43Gap26 blocking peptide reduced neutrophil recruitment to the airspace. Wild-type mice that were subjected to LPS for 12 or 24 hrs were then treated with an IT instillation of NaCl, a control peptide, or the 43Gap26 blocking peptide for an additional 12 or 24 hrs, respectively. Although instillation of NaCl or control peptide did not affect the number of neutrophils present in lungs 24 and 48 hrs after LPS treatment, neutrophil count was reduced by 60% (P < 0.01) and 70% (P < 0.05), 24 and 48 hrs after LPS instillation, respectively, in mice that received the 43Gap26 peptide instillation. Bar indicates mean value.