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In Vivo Growth of C6 Glioma Cells Transfected with Connexin43 cDNA¹

Departments of Anatomy [C. C. G. N., K. E., D. Z., D. J. B.], Clinical Neurological Sciences [C. C. G. N., K. E., R. F. D.], and Zoology [D. Z.], The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada N6A 5C1

In order to examine the possible role of intercellular communication via gap junctions in the control of tumor growth, we have transfected C6 glioma cells with connexin43 cDNA. We obtained several clones with variable expression of connexin43. The growth rate of these clones in culture was inversely related to the degree of expression of the transfected cDNA. To examine the growth of these transfected cells in vivo, cells were grown in spinner culture flasks to form spheroids 250–300 µm in diameter. Spheroids of nontransfected C6 cells produced large gliomas. Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analyses revealed relatively high levels of connexin43 protein and mRNA in the host tissue, while little of this protein was detected in the glioma. In contrast, spheroids of connexin43-transfected cells grew more slowly and exhibited elevated levels of connexin43 protein and mRNA. These findings suggest that the expression of connexin43 may be associated with the control of brain tumor growth in vivo.

¹ Supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada, the Cancer Research Society, Inc., and the Brain Research Fund Foundation.

² Scholar of the Medical Research Council of Canada. Department of Anatomy, Medical Sciences Building, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1.

³ Recipient of a studentship from the Medical Research Council of Canada.

Received 10/17/91. Accepted 5/15/92.

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