Connexin 43 Expression in Cutaneous Biopsies of Lupus Erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION:Gap junctions are channels between adjacent cells formed by connexins (Cxs). Cxs also form hemichannels that connect the cell with its extracellular milieu. These channels allow the transport of ions, metabolites, and small molecules; therefore, Cxs, and more specifically, connexin (Cx) 43 has been demonstrated to be in control of several crucial events such as inflammation and cell death. MATERIAL AND METHODS:We examined the immunostaining of Cx43 in the endothelia of the cutaneous blood vessels of biopsies from 28 patients with several variants of lupus erythematosus. RESULTS:In 19 cases (67.86%), staining of more than half of the dermal vessels including both vessels of the papillary and of the reticular dermis was identified. Only in 4 cases (14.28%), less than 25% of the vessels in the biopsy showed expression of the marker. CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest a role of Cx43 in regulating the endothelial activity in lupus erythematosus, which also opens a door for targeted therapeutic options.