کانال‌های یونی به عنوان اهداف درمانی، بخش ب (جلد ۱۰۴) (پیشرفت‌ها در شیمی پروتئین و زیست‌شناسی ساختاری، جلد ۱۰۴)

Neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders, once triggered, share a number of common features, including sustained inflammatory cell activation and vascular disruption. These shared pathways are induced independently of any genetic predisposition to the disease or the precise external stimulus. Glial cells respond to injury with an innate immune response that includes release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Vascular endothelial cells may also be affected, leading to opening of the blood-brain barrier that facilitates invasion by circulating inflammatory cells. Inflammation can trigger acute neural injury followed by chronic inflammation that plays a key role in neurodegenerative conditions. Gap junction channels normally allow direct cell-to-cell communication. They are formed by the docking of two hemichannels, one contributed by each of the neighboring cells. While the opening probability of these channels is tightly controlled under resting conditions, hemichannels can open in response to injury or inflammatory factors, forming a large, relatively nonselective membrane pore. In this review, we consider the CNS immune system from the perspective that modulating connexin hemichannel opening can prevent tissue damage arising from excessive and uncontrolled inflammation. We discuss connexin channel roles in microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, and in particular describe the role of connexin hemichannels in the inflammasome pathway where they contribute to both its activation and its spread to neighboring cells. Finally, we describe the benefits of hemichannel block in animal models of brain injury.

This volume is the second part of the thematic on Ion Channels as Therapeutic Targets.

The popular Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, an essential resource for protein chemists, brings forth new information about protocols and analysis of proteins, with each thematically organized volume guest edited by leading experts in a broad range of protein-related topics.

• Provides cutting-edge developments in protein chemistry and structural biology
• Discusses the use of ion channels as therapeutic targets
• Chapters are written by authorities in their field
• Targeted to a wide audience of researchers, specialists, and students

This volume is the second part of the thematic on Ion Channels as Therapeutic Targets . The popular Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, an essential resource for protein chemists, brings forth new information about protocols and analysis of proteins, with each thematically organized volume guest edited by leading experts in a broad range of protein-related topics. Provides cutting-edge developments in protein chemistry and structural biology Discusses the use of ion channels as therapeutic targets Chapters are written by authorities in their field Targeted to a wide audience of researchers, specialists, and students