(A) Images showing Cx43, Cx40, and Cx43/Cx40 immunostaining in RMECs. The number of Cx43 immunostained dots was reduced in cells transfected with AsCx43 oligonucleotides. Arrows indicate “yellow” dots representing colocalization of Cx43/Cx40 immunostaining. The number of Cx43/Cx40 heterotypic gap junctions was also reduced in cells transfected with AsCx43 oligonucleotides. (B) Graphical representation of Cx43 and Cx40 immunostaining. As expected, the expression of Cx43 was reduced in cells transfected with AsCx43 oligonucleotides, and Cx40 showed no change. The observation that Cx43 expression was reduced by AsCx43 oligonucleotides but not the Cx40 expression, demonstrates specificity of the AsCx43 oligonucleotides. * p<0.05, n=4. (C) Graphical representation of the number of Cx43/Cx40 heterotypic gap junctions. The number of Cx43/Cx40 heterotypic gap junctions was significantly reduced in cells transfected with AsCx43 oligonucleotides. *p<0.05, n=4.