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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Oct 15, 2011; 2(5): 82-87
Published online Oct 15, 2011. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v2.i5.82
Role of connexin-related signalling in hepatic homeostasis and its relevance for liver-based in vitro modelling
Mathieu Vinken
Mathieu Vinken, Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
Author contributions: Vinken M solely contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Mathieu Vinken, Professor, PhD, PharmD, ERT, Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. mvinken@vub.ac.be
Telephone: +32-2-4774587 Fax: +32-2-4774582
Received: January 3, 2011
Revised: September 2, 2011
Accepted: September 9, 2011
Published online: October 15, 2011
Abstract

Direct intercellular communication mediated by gap junctions constitutes a major regulatory platform in the control of hepatic homeostasis. Hepatocellular gap junctions are composed of two hemichannels of adjacent cells which are built up by connexin proteins,

in casu Cx32. Mathieu Vinken, Pofessor at the Department of Toxicology of the Free University Brussels-Belgium, was one of the first investigators to demonstrate that hepatic connexin expression is controlled by epigenetic mechanisms. In particular, he found that inhibitors of histone deacetylase enzymes enhance Cx32 production and gap junction activity in cultures of primary hepatocytes, a finding that is of importance for liver-based in vitro modelling. Professor Dr. Mathieu Vinken’s recent work is focussed on the elucidation of the role of connexin proteins and their channels in the hepatocyte life cycle. Specific attention is paid to apoptosis in this context, whereby it has been found that Cx32 hemichannels control the termination of induced cell death in cultures of primary hepatocytes. Overall, Professor Dr. Mathieu Vinken’s research can be considered as an important contribution to the field of hepatic connexin physiology.

Keywords: Connexin; Hemichannel; Gap junction; Primary hepatocyte; In vitro modelling; Epigenetics; Histone modifications; Cell death; Apoptosis; Hepatotoxicity