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Relative expression of immunolocalized connexins 40 and 43 correlates with human atrial conduction properties

Prapa Kanagaratnam, MRCP^*, Stephen Rothery, BSc^*, Pravina Patel, BSc^*, Nicholas J. Severs, DSc^* and Nicholas S. Peters, MD, FRCP^*,*

^* Heart and Lung Division of Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
St. Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom

View larger version (12K): [in a new window]   Figure 1 Method for calculating conduction velocity. Diagram shows three electrodes and their associated activation times (T1 to T3). Interval X represents the time taken for the activation wavefront to travel the interelectrode distance in the direction of propagation of the wavefront (geometric proof not shown). Therefore, the conduction velocity in the direction of propagation is the interelectrode distance divided by interval X.

View larger version (86K): [in a new window]   Figure 2 Three channel single optical slice images of Cx43 and Cx40 immunolabeling. This illustrates specific connexin labeling of Cx43 (A) and Cx40 (B). "False" colors show specific connexin labeling (red), connective tissue autofluorescence (green) and lipofuscin autofluorescence (white). Connective tissue architecture is also apparent with both endomysial and perimysial strands.

View larger version (95K): [in a new window]   Figure 3 Three channel single optical slice images of sections from explanted atrial trabeculated myocardium. (A to C) are representative examples of Cx40 labeling and (D to F) are representative examples of Cx43 labeling from three atrial samples that were separated by at least 1 cm (bar = 50 µm).

View larger version (80K): [in a new window]   Figure 4 Transmission electron micrograph of a gap-junctional plaque in transverse section, with both 5 nm and 10 nm gold particles, indicating the presence of both connexins in this plaque.

View larger version (28K): [in a new window]   Figure 5 (A) Conduction velocity during sinus rhythm versus immunolocalized Cx40 expression. Conduction velocity during sinus rhythm versus relative quantity of immunolabeled Cx40 (Cx40/[Cx40+Cx43]) (B) and the inverse equivalent relative Cx43 signal (Cx43/[Cx40+Cx43]) (C). (D) Change in conduction velocity on pacing versus relative quantity of immunolabeled connexins (Cx40/[Cx40+Cx43]).

View larger version (20K): [in a new window]   Figure 6 Endomysial connective tissue versus conduction velocity during sinus rhythm.