Skip to main content
Ir a la página de inicio de la Comisión Europea (se abrirá en una nueva ventana)
español español
CORDIS - Resultados de investigaciones de la UE
CORDIS
Contenido archivado el 2024-05-14

Molecular basis of cell-to-cell communication in the cardiovascular system : Structure, Function and Distribution of Gap Junctions and their Constituent Channels under Normal and Abnormal Conditions

Objetivo

Four studies will be carried out:
1. Distribution of connexins in the cardiovascular system under normal and pathological conditions.
2. Conductance and permeability of individual gap junction channels.
3. Regulation of gap junctional conductance and permeability in cardiovascular
tissue under normal and abnormal conditions.
4. Function of connexins in developing and adult cardiovascular tissues.

Cell-to-cell communication via arrays of intercellular channels connecting the interior of neighbouring cells called gap junctions, is involved in several physiological processes in the cardiovascular system. Examples are electrical impulse conduction in heart and control of cell proliferation in vascular system. Pathological changes in these processes may lead to potentially life-threatening diseases of the cardiovascular system like cardiac arrhythmia leading to ventricular fibrillation or intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis leading to myocardial infarction or cerebral stroke.
Gap junction channels consist of 12 protein molecules belonging to the family of connexins, arranged in two hexameric hemichannels (connexons) in each of the apposed cell membranes. The electrical conductance and diffusional permeability of the channels is strongly dependent on the particular connexin they are built of. In cardiovascular system at least 6 different connexins (Cx37, 40, 43, 45. 46 and 50) have been detected. Gap junction channel properties are modulated by changes in intracellular ion composition and through the activity of hormones or vasoactive substances, which, via signal transduction pathways lead to connexin phosphorylation / dephosphorylation cycles. Information about the distribution, function and modulation of gap junction channels built from the various connexins is accumulating but still fragmentary. The functional reason for the co-existence of different connexins in the same tissue is virtually unknown.
The distribution of connexins will be studied in normal and Cx43-deficient mouse heart both adult and during development, in normal and hypertensive rat blood vessels and in normal and atherosclerotic swine femoral arteries. Conductance and diffusional permeability of gap junctions will be investigated in exogenous expression systems to obtain a full biophysical description of gap junction channels built of the individual cardiovascular connexins. The modulation of conductance and permeability will be investigated in these systems and in cell-pairs from various origin in the cardiovascular system (ventricular, atrial, nodal myocytes: endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells). Attention will be paid to hydrogen and calcium ions, phosphorylating / dephosphorylating treatments, higher linear alkohols, arachidonic acid. acyl carnitines antiarrhythmics (e.g. sotalol. tedisamil) and simulated ischemia. The function of connexins during development and in the adult stage will be investigated in normal mice and in animals in which the Cx37, Cx40 and/or Cx45 gene has been deleted.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS clasifica los proyectos con EuroSciVoc, una taxonomía plurilingüe de ámbitos científicos, mediante un proceso semiautomático basado en técnicas de procesamiento del lenguaje natural. Véas: El vocabulario científico europeo..

Para utilizar esta función, debe iniciar sesión o registrarse

Programa(s)

Programas de financiación plurianuales que definen las prioridades de la UE en materia de investigación e innovación.

Tema(s)

Las convocatorias de propuestas se dividen en temas. Un tema define una materia o área específica para la que los solicitantes pueden presentar propuestas. La descripción de un tema comprende su alcance específico y la repercusión prevista del proyecto financiado.

Convocatoria de propuestas

Procedimiento para invitar a los solicitantes a presentar propuestas de proyectos con el objetivo de obtener financiación de la UE.

Datos no disponibles

Régimen de financiación

Régimen de financiación (o «Tipo de acción») dentro de un programa con características comunes. Especifica: el alcance de lo que se financia; el porcentaje de reembolso; los criterios específicos de evaluación para optar a la financiación; y el uso de formas simplificadas de costes como los importes a tanto alzado.

CON - Coordination of research actions

Coordinador

Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht
Aportación de la UE
Sin datos
Dirección
100,Universiteitsweg
3584 CG Utrecht
Países Bajos

Ver en el mapa

Coste total

Los costes totales en que ha incurrido esta organización para participar en el proyecto, incluidos los costes directos e indirectos. Este importe es un subconjunto del presupuesto total del proyecto.

Sin datos
Mi folleto 0 0