Subsequently, we evaluated: (1) the H-GJC between these cells with regard to the number and the incubation period of tumor cells in microglia-astrocyte cultures; (2) the physiological properties of heterocellular trans-junctional coupling between glioma cells and microglia by the use of dual whole cell voltage clamp recordings; (3) Cx32, Cx36, Cx43, Cx45 expressions on glioma cells; and (4) modulations of microglial morphology by immunocytochemistry. The gene discussed is GJA1; the disease is glioma.