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Review
. 2009 Aug;19(6):182-90.
doi: 10.1016/j.tcm.2009.12.001.

Cell-cell connection to cardiac disease

Farah Sheikh  1 , Robert S Ross, Ju Chen
Affiliations
Review

Cell-cell connection to cardiac disease

Farah Sheikh et al. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2009 Aug.

Abstract

Intercalated disks (ICDs) are highly organized cell-cell adhesion structures, which connect cardiomyocytes to one another. They are composed of three major complexes: desmosomes, fascia adherens, and gap junctions. Desmosomes and fascia adherens junction are necessary for mechanically coupling and reinforcing cardiomyocytes, whereas gap junctions are essential for rapid electrical transmission between cells. Because human genetics and mouse models have revealed that mutations and/or deficiencies in various ICD components can lead to cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias, considerable attention has focused on the biologic function of the ICD. This review will discuss recent scientific developments related to the ICD and focus on its role in regulating cardiac muscle structure, signaling, and disease.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Transmission electron micrograph of the major junctional components within the ICD of an adult mouse heart. Fa indicates fascia adherens junction; Ds, desmosome; and Gj, gap junction. White bar represents 500 nm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schemata of the major complexes and components found in the cardiac ICD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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