Voltage-gated potassium channel modulation of neurotoxic activity in human immunodeficiency virus type-1(HIV-1)-infected macrophages.

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.

Citation

Elizabeth Irvine, James Keblesh, Jianuo Liu, Huangui Xiong. Voltage-gated potassium channel modulation of neurotoxic activity in human immunodeficiency virus type-1(HIV-1)-infected macrophages. Journal of neuroimmune pharmacology : the official journal of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology. 2007 Sep;2(3):265-9

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PMID: 18040860

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