FIG 5.

Expression of Cx43 in HeLa cells increases susceptibility to VacA. HeLa cells were transduced with lentivirus particles expressing Cx43 or a control lentivirus, and transduced cells were then selected (designated HeLa-Cx43 or HeLa-control, respectively). (A) Expression of Cx43 in AZ-521, HeLa-Cx43, and HeLa-control cells was analyzed by Western blotting using an anti-Cx43 antibody. Expression of β-actin was monitored to ensure equal loading. Levels of Cx43 were analyzed by densitometry. (B and C) HeLa-Cx43 and HeLa-control cells were incubated with serial dilutions of H. pylori broth culture supernatants containing WT VacA (B) or VacA-G14A (C) for 24 h, and cell viability was determined by the ATPlite assay. HeLa cells expressing Cx43 exhibited increased susceptibility to VacA-induced cell death compared to HeLa cells transduced with the control lentivirus. Error bars represent means plus standard errors from combined results of three independent experiments, each performed in triplicate. Asterisks indicate P < 0.05, Student's t test.