Astrocytic p-connexin 43 regulates neuronal autophagy in the hippocampus following traumatic brain injury in rats.

Gap junctions are conductive channels formed by membrane proteins termed connexins, which permit the intercellular exchange of metabolites, ions and small molecules. Previous data demonstrated that traumatic brain injury (TBI) activates autophagy and increases microtubule‑associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) immunostaining predominantly in neurons. Although previous studies have identified several extracellular factors that modulate LC3 expression, knowledge of the regulatory network controlling LC3 in health and disease remains incomplete.