Gap junction channels which are responsible for direct intercellular communication are composed of connexin proteins. Different connexins are distributed in a tissue-specific manner. Up to now only connexin26 has been identified to be widely expressed in the inner ear. In order to investigate the role of additional gap junction proteins, the expression of connexin30 and 43 was investigated in the rat cochlea. Connexin26 and connexin30 were both expressed in the spiral limbus, the spiral ligament, the stria vascularis and between supporting cells of the organ of Corti. Double-labeling experiments suggest that both connexins are partly colocalized between cells. Weak staining of connexin43 could only be detected in the stria vascularis, the spiral ligament and between organ of Corti supporting cells. The corresponding transcripts for connexin26, 30 and 43 could be detected by Northern blot analysis. The expression of different gap junction channels in the cochlea suggests functional diversity. Gap junctions in the inner ear may control ion concentrations of cochlear fluids or act as conduits through which glucose and other metabolites diffuse.
Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease, defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain and subfertility in approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. Current therapies lead to pain relief, however, do not address the causes and entail severe side effects. Still little is known about the pathogenic processes leading to the development and maintenance of endometriosis. Because endometriosis occurs spontaneously only in humans and some non-human primates, animal models of induced endometriosis have been developed and are of high value for the evaluation of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of this disease. These experimental models include the autotransplantation of uterine fragments into the peritoneal cavity of rodents and non-human primates or the heterotransplantation of human endometrial or endometriotic tissue to immunodeficient mice or onto the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). This review describes the animal models for endometriosis and assesses their different potentials and limitations in regard to endometriosis research, with the aim of developing novel non-invasive diagnostic tools and improved strategies for the treatment of endometriosis in women.
Endometriosis, defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, is an estrogen-dependent disease which causes pelvic pain and subfertility in women of reproductive age. The condition has a dramatic impact on the professional, social and marital life of sufferers. Direct and indirect evidence suggests that angiogenesis is required for the development and persistence of endometriosis. In this review the state-of-the-art with regard to our understanding of the role of angiogenesis in the ectopic implantation and survival of menstrual endometrial tissue will be discussed.
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