Cyclooxygenase inhibitor induces the upregulation of connexin-43 expression in C6 glioma cells.

The present study was performed to determine whether aspirin, a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, has an effect on the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in C6 glioma cells. Using an in vitro glioma invasion model, the expression of Cx43 protein in C6 cells was significantly increased following aspirin treatment at a dose of 8 mmol/l for 30, 60 and 120 min via western blot analysis. The peak value of the Cx43 expression was observed in C6 cells after 120 min of aspirin treatment, which was significantly reduced by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In addition, aspirin also significantly increased the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) activity and reduced glioma invasion, which was induced by PGE2. This led to the conclusion that the aspirin-induced glioma invasion decrease may be associated with the increased expression of Cx43 protein and formation of GJIC.