Hydrogen peroxide increases gap junctional communication and induces astrocyte toxicity: Regulation by brain macrophages

Cultured astrocytes are highly coupled by gap junction channels mainly constituted by connexin 43. We have previously shown that gap junctional communication (GJC) represents a functional property of astrocytes that is a target for their interaction with other brain cell types, including neurons and brain macrophages. In pathological situations, neurons as well as brain macrophages produce superoxide ions leading to the formation of hydrogen...