Alteration of gap junctions and connexins in the right atrial appendage during cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on cardiomyocyte gap junctions and connexins. Methods: Samples were collected at intervals during operation from the right atrial appendage in 21 patients (mean [± SD] age 55 ± 21 years). Immunodetection of connexins was conducted by Western blotting and confocal microscopy with parallel electron microscopic examination of gap junctions. Results: Downregulation of connexin 43 during the course of operation occurred in more than half of the patients. The mean densitometric value of connexin 43 decreased by 23%, with samples from patients with coronary artery disease showing a greater reduction than seen in those from patients with other diseases (31% ± 22% vs 10% ± 24%, P =.04). Such alterations were confirmed by confocal microscopy, which also demonstrated reduced connexin 45 immunolabeling in most patients. Electron microscopy revealed a reduction in the dimensions of cell membrane-located gap junctions and more frequent intracytoplasmic gap junctional membrane in samples from later time points (P =.04). Conclusions: Downregulation of connexins accompanied by a reduction in gap junctions is common in the cardiomyocytes of the right atrial appendage during cardiopulmonary bypass. The association of a marked reduction in connexin 43 with coronary artery disease may imply inadequate intraoperative cardiac protection in patients with this disease.J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;124:1106-12