Wound healing is a dynamic process required to maintain skin integrity and which relies on the precise migration of different cell types. A key molecule that regulates this process is ATP. However, the mechanisms involved in extracellular ATP management are poorly understood, particularly in the human dermis. Here, we explore the role, in human fibroblast migration during wound healing, of Pannexin 1 channels and their relationship with purinergic signals and in vivo cell surface filamentous actin dynamics. Using siRNA against Panx isoforms and different Panx1 channel inhibitors, we demonstrate in cultured human dermal fibroblasts that the absence or inhibition of Panx1 channels accelerates cell migration, increases single-cell motility, and promotes actin redistribution. These changes occur through a mechanism that involves the release of ATP to the extracellular space through a Panx1-dependent mechanism and the activation of the purinergic receptor P2X7. Together, these findings point to a pivotal role of Panx1 channels in skin fibroblast migration and suggest that these channels could be a useful pharmacological target to promote damaged skin healing.

Some mutations in gap junction protein Connexin 26 (Cx26) lead to syndromic deafness, where hearing impairment is associated with skin disease, like in Keratitis Ichthyosis Deafness (KID) syndrome. This condition has been linked to hyperactivity of connexin hemichannels but this has never been demonstrated in cochlear tissue. Moreover, some KID mutants, like Cx26S17F, form hyperactive HCs only when co-expressed with other wild-type connexins. In this work, we evaluated the functional consequences of expressing a KID syndromic mutation, Cx26S17F, in the transgenic mouse cochlea and whether co-expression of Cx26S17F and Cx30 leads to the formation of hyperactive HCs. Indeed, we found that cochlear explants from a constitutive knock-in Cx26S17F mouse or conditional in vitro cochlear expression of Cx26S17F produces hyperactive HCs in supporting cells of the organ of Corti. These conditions also produce loss of hair cells stereocilia. In supporting cells, we found high co-localization between Cx26S17F and Cx30. The functional properties of HCs formed in cells co-expressing Cx26S17F and Cx30 were also studied in oocytes and HeLa cells. Under the recording conditions used in this study Cx26S17F did not form functional HCs and GJCs, but cells co-expressing Cx26S17F and Cx30 present hyperactive HCs insensitive to HCs blockers, Ca2+ and La3+, resulting in more Ca2+ influx and cellular damage. Molecular dynamic analysis of putative heteromeric HC formed by Cx26S17F and Cx30 presents alterations in extracellular Ca2+ binding sites. These results support that in KID syndrome, hyperactive HCs are formed by the interaction between Cx26S17F and Cx30 in supporting cells probably causing damage to hair cells associated to deafness.