Maternal treatment with glucocorticoids modulates gap junction protein expression in the ovine fetal brain

Abstract

Gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication and are important in brain development. Connexins (Cx) comprise a transmembrane protein family that forms gap junctions. Cx-32 is expressed in oligodendrocytes and neurons, Cx-36 in neurons, and Cx-43 in astrocytes. Although single antenatal steroid courses are recommended for fetal lung maturation, multiple courses can be given to women at recurrent risk for premature delivery. We examined the effects of single and multiple glucocorticoid courses on Cx-32, Cx-36, and Cx-43 protein expression in fetal cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord, and differences in connexin expression among brain regions under basal conditions. In the single course groups, the ewes received dexamethasone (6 mg) or placebo as four intramuscular injections every 12 h over 48 h. In the multiple course groups, the ewes received the same treatment, once a week for five weeks starting at 76–78 days of gestation. Connexins were measured by Western immunoblot on brain samples from 105–108 day gestation fetuses. A single dexamethasone course was associated with increases (P<0.05) in cerebral cortical and spinal cord Cx-36 and Cx-43 and multiple courses with increases in cerebellar and spinal cord Cx-36, and cerebral cortical and cerebellar Cx-43. Cx-32 did not change. Cx-32 was higher in cerebellum than cerebral cortex and spinal cord, Cx-36 higher in spinal cord than cerebellum, and Cx-43 higher in cerebellum and spinal cord than cerebral cortex during basal conditions. In conclusion, maternal glucocorticoid therapy increases specific connexins, responses to different maternal courses vary among connexins and brain regions, and connexin expression differs among brain regions under basal conditions. Maternal treatment with glucocorticoids differentially modulates connexins in the fetal brain.