Objective: To observe the influence of acupuncture on the immune function in immunosuppressive Cx43 knockout mice so as to explore the relationship between connexin 43(Cx43) and acupuncture signal transmission.Methods: Eighteen male Cx43 knockout mice(Cx43+/-

8-9 weeks old) and eighteen wide-type mice(Cx43+/+) were divided into normal group

model group and acupuncture group randomly

with 6 cases in each.The immunosuppressive mice model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Cyclophosphamide.Mice in acupuncture group were treated with manual acupuncture of "Zusanli"(ST 36) and "Guanyuan"(CV 4)

once daily for 7 days.Spleen index

thymus index

number of leukocytes in the peripheral blood were calculated and the percentage of T lymphocyte subpopulation was detected by using flow cytometry.Results: Compared with normal control group

the spleen index

thymus index and leukocyte number of model group in both Cx43+/+mice and Cx43+/-mice were obviously lower(P<0.05

0.01)

while in Cx43+/+mice and in comparison with model group

the spleen index

thymus index and leukocyte number of acupuncture group were significantly higher(P<0.05

0.01) and no significant differences were found between acupuncture group and control group(P>0.05).But in Cx43+/-mice

no obvious differences were found between acupuncture and model groups in the aforementioned 3 indexes(P>0.05)

showing a disappearance of the effect of acupuncture in raising immune function after Cx43 knockout.There were no obvious differences between two control groups and between two model groups in the 3 indexes of Cx43+/+mice and Cx43+/-mice.The immune function of Cx43+/+mice was obviously stronger than that of Cx43+/-mice in acupuncture group.Conclusion: Knockout of Cx43 gene inhibits the effect of acupuncture in reinforcing mouse immunity

suggesting an important role of Cx43 in the transmission of acupuncture signals for adjusting immunity function.