Expression of connexin 43 and gap junctional intercellular communication in the cumulus-oocyte complex in sheep.

To evaluate the effects of FSH, LH and/or cAMP on expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the ovine cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) of cumulus cells, two experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, Cx43 was immunodetected in the COC, before or after maturation, obtained from non-treated or FSH-treated ewes. The expression of Cx43 in the COC was greater (P < 0.

Effects of Aloe vera on gap junctional intercellular communication and proliferation of human diabetic and nondiabetic skin fibroblasts.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Aloe vera on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and proliferation of human skin fibroblasts in the presence or absence of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2).

Design: In vitro study using human type II diabetic and nondiabetic skin fibroblast cell lines.

Setting And Subjects: Diabetic (n = 4) and nondiabetic (n = 4) human skin fibroblast cell lines were purchased from Coriell Institute for Medical Research (Camden, NJ).