Abstract:

 Objective To investigate expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in neural precursor cells (NPCs) and to explore the effect of ethanol on its expression.  Methods Primary adherent cultures of NPCs isolated from the brain of embryonic rats at pregnancy 14d were used in this study. After observing morphology of cells and identifying purity of the NPCs, we investigated expression of Cx43 by an immunofluorescence technique. Then, we studied the influence of ethanol on expression of Cx43 and on function of gap junctions by Westernblot and Scrapeloadingdye in cell injury models induced by ethanol.  Results The positive rate of NPCs in primary cultures that had been cultured by an adherent culture method for 7 days was 86.74%. Immunofluorescence technique showed that NPCs expressed Cx43. Westernblot showed that expression level of Cx43 gradually decreased with an increase of ethanol concentration. Scrapeloading dye revealed that ethanol inhibited the function of gap junctions.  Conclusion NPCs cultured by an adherent culture method strongly express Cx43. Ethanol inhibits the function of gap junctions by decreasing expression level of Cx43. The inhibitory effect is increased with an increase of ethanol concentration.

Key words: Connexin 43; Alcoholism; Cell, cultured; Neural precursor cells; Rats, Wistar