The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Connexin43 as a New Approach to Reducing Post-surgical Adhesion

Title:The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Connexin43 as a New Approach to Reducing Post-surgical Adhesion

Volume: 17

Author(s): Alireza Moslem, Rozita Khodashahi, Gordon A. Ferns, Mohsen Aliakbarian*Mohammad-Hassan Arjmand*

Affiliation:

• Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
• Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

• Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Keywords: Post-surgical adhesion, Gap junction, Connexins, Inflammation, Fibrosis, GJ blockers.

Abstract: Post-surgical peritoneal adhesions are a serious problem causing complications, such as bowel obstruction, infertility, and pain. There are currently no effective ways of preventing post-surgical adhesions. Excess secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and profibrotic molecules by immune cells and adherent fibroblasts are the main mechanism that promotes post-operative fibrotic scars. Although many studies have been conducted on the pathological causes of this disorder, there are still many unknown facts in this matter, so assessment of the role of different molecules in causing inflammation and adhesion can lead to the creation of new treatment methods. Connexins are a group of proteins related to gap junctions that have a role in cell communication and transmitted signaling between adjacent cells. Between different types of connexin protein isoforms, connexin43 is known to be involved in pathological conditions related to inflammation and fibrosis. Recent studies have reported that inhibition of connexin43 has the potential to reduce inflammation and fibrosis by reducing the expression of molecules like α-SMA and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) that are involved in the early stages of adhesion formation. As well as, inhibition of connexin43 may have therapeutic potential as a target to prevent post-surgical peritoneal adhesions.

Cite this article as:

Moslem Alireza, Khodashahi Rozita, Ferns A. Gordon, Aliakbarian Mohsen*, Arjmand Mohammad-Hassan*, The Therapeutic Potential of Targeting the Connexin43 as a New Approach to Reducing Post-surgical Adhesion, Current Molecular Pharmacology 2024; 17 : e18761429302171 . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118761429302171240621101944