AJP - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Vol 268, Issue 4 576-L583, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society
Variability in distribution and populations of gap junctions in ferret trachea during postnatal development
J. L. Carson, A. M. Collier, S. C. Hu and J. B. McLachlan
Department of Pediatrics, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7220, USA.
Immunocytochemical probes have been used to characterize gap junction
distribution in the postnatal ferret trachea by epifluorescence and by
laser scanning confocal and electron microscopy. A battery of antibodies
directed against fragments of different connexins localized beta 1- and
beta 2-gap junction antigens (connexins 32 and 26, respectively) at the
intercellular borders of the superficial epithelium while alpha 1-gap
junction antigen (connexin 43) was localized to the loose connective
tissues. Gap junction labeling in the superficial epithelium declined in
the first weeks of life but persisted in the developing submucosal glands
to the weanling stage. Localization of the alpha- and beta-antigens was
specific for connective tissues and epithelial layers, respectively. These
observations suggest that communication competence is an important
component of early development in the mammalian airways.
