Connexin-43 hemichannels contribute to the propagation of μ-calpain-mediated neuronal death in a cortical ablation injury model

- In the rat brain deep cortex, injury induced spreading of neuronal death.
- Injury also induced astrocyte activation with connexin 43 (Cx43) up-regulation.
- Injury induced opening of astrocytic Cx43-hemichannel (HC) and neuronal Cx36-HC.
- The opening of the HCs induces the spread of neuronal death through μ-calpain activation.