Cell-Cell Communication in Lung Stress Responses
Sponsored by APS Respiration Section
Cell Signaling Track

Although the functional importance of cell-cell communication through gap junctions has been intensely investigated in contracting cells, as for example in relation to smooth muscle or skeletal muscle contraction, the role of gap junctions in non-contractile lung function remains inadequately addressed. However, this consideration is important, since non-contractile lung cells, including microvascular endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells express proteins of the connexin (Cx) family, suggesting that gap junctional communication occurs amongst these cell types. In fact, new research indicates that gap junctional communication is indeed well developed in these non-contractile cells and that the presence of gap junctions subserves a variety of lung responses to stress, ranging from cell proliferation to inflammatory initiation. This symposium assembles investigators who are involved in new research addressing the functional importance of lung gap junctions.  A discussion of this issue should lead to new strategies for further understanding gap junction biology in lung and thereby, advance a new direction in lung research.

3:15 PM	Gap junctional communication in the lung – an overview. Jahar Bhattacharya, Columbia Univ.
3:45 PM	Specificity and regulation of connexin trafficking and assembly. Michael Koval, Emory Univ.
4:15 PM	Regulation of lung microvascular permeability by gap junctions. Kaushik Parthasarathi, Columbia Univ.
4:45 PM	Connexin 43 modulations in cardiopulmonary developmental abnormalities. Mala R. Chinoy, The Penn State Univ.