Adipocytes in both brown and white adipose tissue of adult mice are functionally connected via gap junctions: implications for Chagas disease

摘要: Adipose tissue serves as a host reservoir for the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, causative organism in Chagas disease. Gap junctions interconnect cells of most tissues, serving to synchronize cell activities including secretion glandular tissue, and we have previously demonstrated that gap are altered various tissues infected with T. cruzi. Herein, examined junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) expression adipose tissues. is largest endocrine organ body also involved other physiological functions. In mammals, it primarily composed white adipocytes. Although prominent feature brown adipocytes, they not been explored extensively especially setting infection. Thus, functional coupling both adipocytes mice. Injection electrical current or dye Lucifer Yellow into within fat spread adjacent cells, which was reduced by treatment agents known block junctions. Moreover, Cx43 detected tissue. At thirty ninety days post-infection, downregulated upregulated junction-mediated intercellular communication likely contributes hormone functions nonshivering thermogenesis fat, modulation cruzi infection expected impact these