Abstract
Macrophages play an important role in brain immune and inflammatory responses. They are also critical cells in mediating the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders such as HIV-associated dementia. This is largely through their capacity to secrete a variety of bioactive molecules such as cytokines, leading to neuronal dysfunction and/or death. Accumulating evidence indicates that voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels play a pivotal role in the modulation of macrophage proliferation, activation, and secretion. Blockade of Kv channels by specific antagonists decreases macrophage cytokine production and ameliorates macrophage-associated neuronal injury. These results suggest that Kv channels might become a potential target for the development of new therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 265-269 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2007 |
Keywords
- 4-amonopyridine
- HIV-1-associated dementia
- Macrophage
- Neurotoxin
- Voltage-gated potassium channel
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Pharmacology