Abnormal Connexin Expression Underlies Delayed Wound Healing in Diabetic Skin

OBJECTIVE—Dynamically regulated expression of the gap junction protein connexin (Cx)43 plays pivotal roles in wound healing. Cx43 is normally downregulated and Cx26 upregulated in keratinocytes at the edge of the wound as they adopt a migratory phenotype. We have examined the dynamics of Cx expression during wound healing in diabetic rats, which is known to be slow. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We induced diabetes with streptozotocin and examined...