Inhibiting astrocyte connexin-43 hemichannels blocks radiation-induced vesicular VEGF-A release and blood–brain barrier dysfunction

Therapeutic brain irradiation with ionizing radiation exerts multiple side effects including barrier leakage that disturbs glial-neuronal functioning and may affect cognition. Astrocytes contribute to barrier leakage by endfeet release of various vasoactive substances acting on capillary endothelial cells forming the barrier. Here, we investigated X-ray effects on astrocytic vesicular transport in mice and determined whether interfering with astrocyte connexins affects radiation-induced barrier leakage. We found that astrocytic VEGF-A-loaded VAMP3 vesicles drastically reorganize starting from 6 h post-irradiation and move in a calcium- and Cx43-dependent manner towards endfeet where VEGF-A is released, provoking barrier leakage. Vesicular transport activation, VEGF-A release and leakage 24 h post-irradiation were all potently inhibited by astrocytic Cx43 KO, Cx43S255/262/279/282A (MK4) mutant mice and TATGap19 inhibition of Cx43 hemichannel opening. Astrocyte VEGF release is a major player in complications of brain irradiation, which can be mitigated by anti-VEGF treatments. Targeting Cx43 hemichannels allows to prevent astrocyte VEGF release at an early stage after brain irradiation.