Gap junctions and connexin hemichannels in the regulation of haemostasis and thrombosis

Vaiyapuri, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6006-6517, Flora, G. D. and Gibbins, J. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0372-5352 (2015) Gap junctions and connexin hemichannels in the regulation of haemostasis and thrombosis. Biochemical Society Transactions, 43 (3). pp. 489-494. ISSN 1470-8752 doi: 10.1042/BST20150055

Abstract/Summary

Platelets are involved in the maintenance of haemostasis but their inappropriate activation leads to thrombosis, a principal trigger for heart attack and ischemic stroke. Although platelets circulate in isolation, upon activation they accumulate or aggregate together to form a thrombus, where they function in a coordinated manner to prevent loss of blood and control wound repair. Recent reports indicate that the stability and functions of a thrombus are maintained through sustained, contact dependent signalling between platelets. Given the role of gap junctions in the coordination of tissue responses, it was hypothesized that gap junctions may be present within a thrombus and mediate intercellular communication between platelets. Therefore studies were performed to explore the presence and functions of connexins in platelets. In this brief review, the roles of hemichannels and gap junctions in the control of thrombosis and haemostasis and the future directions for this research will be discussed.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/40338
Identification Number/DOI	10.1042/BST20150055
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (ICMR) Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences > Biomedical Sciences Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy > Division of Pharmacology
Uncontrolled Keywords	Platelets; Gap junctions; hemichannels; thrombosis; haemostasis
Publisher	Portland Press
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