Figure 2.

Connexin GJs and HCs in the central nervous system and bone. (A) Cx43 hemichannels mediate the release of ATP from edematous astrocytes, leading to the recruitment of inflammatory factors and neuronal cell death (left panels). The administration of MHC1, a monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits Cx43 HCs but has no effect on GJs, significantly improves neuronal recovery after a traumatic spinal cord injury (right panels). (B) Cx43 HCs contribute to bone cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. During fracture repair, promoting Cx43 HCs in osteocytes increases callus bone formation and accelerates the healing process.