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Ion Channels in the Nervous System

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2024 | Viewed by 2752

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: release of neurotransmitters and hormones; ion channels; P2X receptors; molecular structure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ion channels are fundamentally involved in most neuronal functions, and their abnormal functioning plays a role in a number of disorders and diseased states often accompanied by neurodegeneration in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Understanding the processes regulating the trafficking and functioning of ion channels in the brain is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies for the wide variety of channelopathies and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as for neuropathic pain states that manifest neuronal damage. In this Special Issue, original studies or review articles on all aspects of trafficking and functioning of voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Cl- channels, and ionotrophic glutamate- and GABA-gated and purinergic P2X receptor channels, for example) expressed in neurons and glia cells are welcome. In particular, molecular analyses of their structure and function, ion selectivity, localization, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as the impact of novel screening technologies on understanding neuronal activity in vivo, are favorable. It will also cover the reports providing new insights into modeling the diversity of spontaneous and agonist-induced patterns of action potentials.

Dr. Hana Zemkova
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • voltage-gated ion channels
  • ligand-gated ion channels
  • neurons
  • glia cells
  • electrical activity
  • molecular structure
  • molecular pathway

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4881 KiB  
Article
Eicosapentaenoic Acid Modulates Transient Receptor Potential V1 Expression in Specific Brain Areas in a Mouse Fibromyalgia Pain Model
by Hsien-Yin Liao, Chia-Ming Yen, I-Han Hsiao, Hsin-Cheng Hsu and Yi-Wen Lin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2901; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052901 - 01 Mar 2024
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Abstract
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience accompanied by tissue injury. Often, an individual’s experience can be influenced by different physiological, psychological, and social factors. Fibromyalgia, one of the most difficult-to-treat types of pain, is characterized by general muscle pain accompanied by [...] Read more.
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience accompanied by tissue injury. Often, an individual’s experience can be influenced by different physiological, psychological, and social factors. Fibromyalgia, one of the most difficult-to-treat types of pain, is characterized by general muscle pain accompanied by obesity, fatigue, sleep, and memory and psychological concerns. Fibromyalgia increases nociceptive sensations via central sensitization in the brain and spinal cord level. We used intermittent cold stress to create a mouse fibromyalgia pain model via a von Frey test (day 0: 3.69 ± 0.14 g; day 5: 2.13 ± 0.12 g). Mechanical pain could be reversed by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) administration (day 0: 3.72 ± 0.14 g; day 5: 3.69 ± 0.13 g). A similar trend could also be observed for thermal hyperalgesia. The levels of elements in the transient receptor potential V1 (TRPV1) signaling pathway were increased in the ascending pain pathway, including the thalamus, medial prefrontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and cerebellum. EPA intake significantly attenuated this overexpression. A novel chemogenetics method was used to inhibit SSC and ACC activities, which presented an analgesic effect through the TRPV1 downstream pathway. The present results provide insights into the role of the TRPV1 signaling pathway for fibromyalgia and its potential as a clinical target. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Channels in the Nervous System)
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Review

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20 pages, 3410 KiB  
Review
Ion Channel Disturbances in Migraine Headache: Exploring the Potential Role of the Kynurenine System in the Context of the Trigeminovascular System
by Eleonóra Spekker, Gábor Nagy-Grócz and László Vécsei
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16574; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316574 - 21 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1806
Abstract
Migraine is a primary headache disorder, which is an enormous burden to the healthcare system. While some aspects of the pathomechanism of migraines remain unknown, the most accepted theory is that activation and sensitization of the trigeminovascular system are essential during migraine attacks. [...] Read more.
Migraine is a primary headache disorder, which is an enormous burden to the healthcare system. While some aspects of the pathomechanism of migraines remain unknown, the most accepted theory is that activation and sensitization of the trigeminovascular system are essential during migraine attacks. In recent decades, it has been suggested that ion channels may be important participants in the pathogenesis of migraine. Numerous ion channels are expressed in the peripheral and central nervous systems, including the trigeminovascular system, affecting neuron excitability, synaptic energy homeostasis, inflammatory signaling, and pain sensation. Dysfunction of ion channels could result in neuronal excitability and peripheral or central sensitization. This narrative review covers the current understanding of the biological mechanisms leading to activation and sensitization of the trigeminovascular pain pathway, with a focus on recent findings on ion channel activation and modulation. Furthermore, we focus on the kynurenine pathway since this system contains kynurenic acid, which is an endogenous glutamate receptor antagonist substance, and it has a role in migraine pathophysiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Channels in the Nervous System)
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