Voltage gated calcium channel antibody-related neurological diseases

Voltage gated calcium channel(VGCC) antibodies are generally associated with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. However the presence of this antibody has been associated with paraneoplastic as well as nonparaneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Most patients with VGCC-antibody-positivity have small cell lung cancer(SCLC). Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome(LEMS)is an autoimmune disease of the presynaptic part of the neuromuscular junction. Its classical clinical triadis proximal muscle weakness, areflexia and autonomic dysfunction. Fifty to sixty percent of LEMS patients have a neoplasia, usually SCLC. The co-occurrence of SCLC and LEMS causes more severe and progressive disease and shorter survival than non-paraneoplastic LEMS. Treatment includes 3,4 diaminopyridine for symptomatic purposes and immunotherapy with prednisolone, azathioprine or intravenous immunoglobulin in patients unresponsive to 3,4 diaminopyridine. Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration(PCD) is a syndrome characterized with severe, subacute pancerebellar dysfunction. Serum is positive for VGCC antibody in 41%-44% of patients, usually with the co-occurrence of SCLC. Clinical and electrophysiological features of LEMS are also present in 20%-40% of these patients. Unfortunately, PCD symptoms do not improve with immunotherapy. The role of VGCC antibody in the immunopathogenesis of LEMS is well known whereas its role in PCD is still unclear. All patients presenting with LEMS or PCD must be investigated for SCLC.

Functional Expression of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels Nav1.5 in Human Breast Caner Cell Line MDA-MB-231

Voltage-gated sodium channels （VGSCs） are known to be involved in the initiation and progression of many malignancies, and the different subtypes of VGSCs play important roles in the metastasis cascade of many tumors. This study investigated the functional expression of Nav1.5 and its effect on invasion behavior of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The mRNA and protein expression of Nav1.5 was detected by real time PCR, Western Blot and immunofluorescence. The effects of Nav1.5 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were respectively assessed by MTT and Transwell. The effects of Nav1.5 on the secretion of matrix metalloproteases （MMPs） by MDA-MB-231 were analyzed by RT-PCR. The over-expressed Nav 1.5 was present on the membrane of MDA-MB-231 cells. The invasion ability in vitro and the MMP-9 mRNA expression were respectively decreased to （47.82±0.53）% and （43.97±0.64）% （P〈0.05） respectively in MDA-MB-23 t cells treated with VGSCs specific inhibitor tetrodotoxin （TTX） by blocking Navl.5 activity. It was concluded that Navl.5 functional expression potentiated the invasive behavior of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 by increasing the secretion of MMP-9.

Targeting voltage-gated sodium channels for treatment for chronic visceral pain

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play a fundamental role in controlling cellular excitability,and their abnormal activity is related to several pathological processes,including cardiac arrhythmias,epilepsy,neurodegenerative diseases,spasticity and chronic pain.In particular,chronic visceral pain,the central symptom of functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome,is a serious clinical problem that affects a high percentage of the world population.In spite of intense research efforts and after the dedicated decade of pain control and research,there are not many options to treat chronic pain conditions.However,there is a wealth of evidence emerging to give hope that a more refined approach may be achievable.By using electronic databases,available data on structural and functional properties of VGSCs in chronic pain,particularly functional gastrointestinal hypersensitivity,were reviewed.We summarize the involvement and molecular bases of action of VGSCs in the pathophysiology of several organic and functionalgastrointestinal disorders.We also describe the efficacy of VGSC blockers in the treatment of these neurological diseases,and outline future developments that may extend the therapeutic use of compounds that target VGSCs.Overall,clinical and experimental data indicate that isoform-specific blockers of these channels or targeting of their modulators may provide effective and novel approaches for visceral pain therapy.

Involvement of hyperpolarization-activated,cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels in dorsal root ganglion in neuropathic pain

Dorsal root ganglion(DRG)neurons have peripheral terminals in skin,muscle,and other peripheral tissues,andcentral

Hyperpolarization-activated Cyclic nucleotide-gated Channel and Cardiac Biological Pacemaker:Part Ⅰ

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in the heart modulate cardiac automaticity via the hyperpolarization-activated cation current ( named Ⅰf, Ⅰh, or Ⅰq). Recent studies have unveiled the molecular identity of HCN (HCN1-4) channels. HCN isoforms are unevenly expressed in the heart, even in the sinoatrial node. Features of HCN currents have been characterized in cardiac and other types of cells or in cell lines transfected with the HCN isoforms. The factors modulating Ih and the physiological significance of HCN channels in the heart have been extensively investigated in recent years. The hypothesis for transplanting and/or creating biological pacemakers to replace diseased sinoatrial and/or atrioventricular nodes has been postulated and tested in animal models. Local overexpression of HCN2 channels in the left atrium or in the left conductive bundle branch of the left ventricle via gene delivery induced significant Ⅰh and escape rhythms during vagal stimulation in canines. In addition, implantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of HCN2 channels to the canine left ventricular wall was associated with formation of spontaneous escape rhythms of left-sided origin during vagal-stimulation-induced sinus arrest. This preliminary data suggest that the use of HCN channels may hold great promise in,the development of biological pacemakers.

Hyperpolarization-activated Cyclic nucleotide-gated Channel and Cardiac Biological Pacemaker:Part Ⅱ

Abstract Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated ( HCN) channels in the heart modulate cardiac automaticity via the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (named If, Ih, or Iq). Recent studies have unveiled the molecular identity of HCN (HCN 1-4) channels. HCN isoforms are unevenly expressed in the heart, even in the sinoatrial node. Features of HCN currents have been characterized in cardiac and other types of cells or in cell lines transfected with the HCN isoforms. The factors modulating Ih and the physiological significance of HCN channels in the heart have been extensively investigated in recent years. The hypothesis for transplanting and/or creating biological pacemakers to replace diseased sinoatrial and/or atrioventricular nodes has been postulated and tested in animal models. Local overexpression of HCN2 channels in the left atrium or in the left conductive bundle branch of the left ventricle via gene delivery induced significant Ih and escape rhythms during vagal stimulation in canines. In addition, implantation of human mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of HCN2 channels to the canine left ventricular wall was associated with formation of spontaneous escape rhythms of left-sided origin during vagal-stimulation-induced sinus arrest. This preliminary data suggest that the use of HCN channels may hold great promise in the development of biological pacemakers.

Chlorogenic acid alters the voltage-gated potassium channel currents of trigeminal ganglion neurons

Chlorogenic acid（5-caffeoylquinic acid, CGA） is a phenolic compound that is found ubiquitously in plants, fruits and vegetables and is formed via the esterification of caffeic acid and quinic acid. In addition to its notable biological functions against cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes and inflammatory conditions, CGA was recently hypothesized to be an alternative for the treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer＇s disease and neuropathic pain disorders. However, its mechanism of action is unclear.Voltage-gated potassium channel（Kv） is a crucial factor in the electro-physiological processes of sensory neurons. Kv has also been identified as a potential therapeutic target for inflammation and neuropathic pain disorders. In this study, we analysed the effects of CGA on the two main subtypes of Kv in trigeminal ganglion neurons, namely, the IK,Aand IK,Vchannels. Trigeminal ganglion（TRG）neurons were acutely disassociated from the rat TRG, and two different doses of CGA（0.2 and 1 mmol·L21） were applied to the cells.Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to observe alterations in the activation and inactivation properties of the IK,Aand IK,Vchannels. The results demonstrated that 0.2 mmol·L21CGA decreased the peak current density of IK,A. Both 0.2 mmol·L21and1 mmol·L21CGA also caused a significant reduction in the activation and inactivation thresholds of IK,Aand IK,V. CGA exhibited a strong effect on the activation and inactivation velocities of IK,Aand IK,V. These findings provide novel evidence explaining the biological effects of CGA, especially regarding its neurological effects.

Neuroprotective effect of interleukin-6 regulation of voltage-gated Na^+ channels of cortical neurons is time-and dose-dependent

Interleukin-6 has been shown to be involved in nerve injury and nerve regeneration, but the effects of long-term administration of high concentrations of interleukin-6 on neurons in the central nervous system is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of 24 hour expo-sure of interleukin-6 on cortical neurons at various concentrations （0.1, 1, 5 and 10 ng/mL） and the effects of 10 ng/mL interleukin-6 exposure to cortical neurons for various durations （2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours） by studying voltage-gated Na＋ channels using a patch-clamp technique. Volt-age-clamp recording results demonstrated that interleukin-6 suppressed Na＋ currents through its receptor in a time- and dose-dependent manner, but did not alter voltage-dependent activation and inactivation. Current-clamp recording results were consistent with voltage-clamp recording results. Interleukin-6 reduced the action potential amplitude of cortical neurons, but did not change the action potential threshold. The regulation of voltage-gated Na＋channels in rat corti-cal neurons by interleukin-6 is time- and dose-dependent.

PROPERTIES OF VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM CHANNELS IN DEVELOPING AUDITORY NEURONS OF THE MOUSE IN VITRO

Objective. To investigate the properties of voltage-gated sodium (Na+) channels in developing auditoryneurons during early postnatal stages in the mammalian central nervous system.Methods. Using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique, we have studied changes in the electrophysi-ological properties of Na+ channels in the principal neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB).Results. We found that MNTB neurons already express functional Na+ channels at postnatal day 1 (P1),and that channel density begins to increase at P5 when the neurons receive synaptic innervation andreach its maximum (～3 fold) at P11 when functional hearing onsets. These changes were paralleled byan age-dependent acceleration in both inactivation and recovery from inactivation. In contrast, there wasvery little alteration in the voltage-dependence of inactivation.Conclusion. These profound changes in the properties of voltage-gated Na+ channels may increase theexcitability of MNTB neurons and enhance their phase-locking fidelity and capacity during high-frequencysynaptic transmission.

Breakdown voltage enhancement in GaN channel and AlGaN channel HEMTs using large gate metal height

A large gate metal height technique is proposed to enhance breakdown voltage in GaN channel and AlGaN channel high-electron-mobility-transistors(HEMTs).For GaN channel HEMTs with gate-drain spacing LGD=2.5μm,the breakdown voltage VBR increases from 518 V to 582 V by increasing gate metal height h from 0.2μm to 0.4μm.For GaN channel HEMTs with LGD=7μm,VBR increases from 953 V to 1310 V by increasing h from 0.8μm to 1.6μm.The breakdown voltage enhancement results from the increase of the gate sidewall capacitance and depletion region extension.For Al0.4Ga0.6N channel HEMT with LGD=7μm,VBR increases from 1535 V to 1763 V by increasing h from 0.8μm to 1.6μm,resulting in a high average breakdown electric field of 2.51 MV/cm.Simulation and analysis indicate that the high gate metal height is an effective method to enhance breakdown voltage in GaN-based HEMTs,and this method can be utilized in all the lateral semiconductor devices.

Effect of genistein on voltage-gated potassium channels in guinea pig proximal colon smooth muscle cells

瞄准：调查 genistein (GST ) 的行动，一个广谱酷氨酸激酶禁止者，在在畿尼猪的电压门钾隧道上近似冒号平滑肌房间。方法：在畿尼猪的平滑肌房间近似冒号酶的联盟者被孤立。穿孔制霉菌素的整个房间补丁 clamp 技术被用来包括快短暂外面的电流(IKto ) 记录钾水流并且推迟了整流器电流(IKdr ) 。钙依赖者钾水流的污染在一个外部答案没有钙和 0.2 mmol/L CdCl2 被最小化。结果：GST (10-100 micromol/L ) reversibly 并且 dose-dependently 与 22.0+/-6.9 micromol/L 的 IC50 价值减少了 IKto 的山峰振幅。到更小的程度， IKdr 也在两山峰水流被禁止并且支撑了电流。GST 不能完全堵住是的外面的钾水流很少的外面的钾水流，它对 GST 感觉迟钝。GST 没在不变的激活(n=6 ) 上并且在 IKto 的激活动力学(n=6 ) 有效果。正钒酸钠(1 mmol/L ) ，酷氨酸磷酸酶的一个有势力禁止者，显著地禁止的导致 GST 的抑制(P【0.05 ) 。结论：GST 能 dose-dependently 并且 reversibly 在畿尼猪堵住电压门钾隧道近似冒号平滑肌房间。

A two-dimensional analytical model for channel potential and threshold voltage of short channel dual material gate lightly doped drain MOSFET

An analytical model for the channel potential and the threshold voltage of the short channel dual-material-gate lightly doped drain （DMG-LDD） metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor （MOSFET） is presented using the parabolic approximation method. The proposed model takes into account the effects of the LDD region length, the LDD region doping, the lengths of the gate materials and their respective work functions, along with all the major geometrical parameters of the MOSFET. The impact of the LDD region length, the LDD region doping, and the channel length on the channel potential is studied in detail. Furthermore, the threshold voltage of the device is calculated using the minimum middle channel potential, and the result obtained is compared with the DMG MOSFET threshold voltage to show the improvement in the threshold voltage roll-off. It is shown that the DMG-LDD MOSFET structure alleviates the problem of short channel effects （SCEs） and the drain induced barrier lowering （DIBL） more efficiently. The proposed model is verified by comparing the theoretical results with the simulated data obtained by using the commercially available ATLASTM 2D device simulator.

Motor Neuron Disease Associated with Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies

Introduction: Antibodies to voltage-gated potassium channels have been implicated in causing a host of peripheral and central nervous system disorders. However, the presence of these antibodies has not been previously associated with motor neuropathy. We describe the first case of acquired motor neuron disease associated with voltage-gated potas-sium channel antibodies. Case Report: The patient is an 81-year-old female who developed signs and symptoms of an idiopathic motor neuron disease. The patient was found to have increased antibodies to voltage-gated potassium chan-nels in the absence of a known metastatic or autoimmune process. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated increased signal in the anterior horn regions of the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord on T2-weighted imaging. The patient’s disease progression was refractory to both intravenous immunoglobulin and ster-oid therapy. Conclusion: Voltage-gated potassium channels may be causal or simply associated with motor neuron disease;this relationship needs to be elucidated. Testing for these antibodies may be warranted in cases of idiopathic rapidly progressing motor neuron disease.

Molecular Docking Studies on Anticonvulsant Enaminones Inhibiting Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels

Epilepsy is described as the most common chronic brain disorder. A typical symptom of epilepsy results in uncontrolled convulsions caused by temporary excessive neuronal discharges. Although several new anticon-vulsants have been introduced, some types of seizures have still not been adequately controlled with these new and current therapies. There is an urgent need to develop new anticonvulsant drugs to control the many different types of seizures. Many studies have shown that the epilepsies involve more than one mechanism and therefore may be responsible for the various types of observed seizures. Recently reported studies have shown that a group of newly synthesized 6 Hz active anticonvulsant fluorinated N-benzamide enaminones exhibited selective inhibitions of voltage-gated sodium (Nav) channels. Nav channels are responsible for the initial inward currents during the depolarization phases of the action potential in excitable cells. The activation and opening of Nav channels result in the initial phases of action potentials. We hypothesize that there is an essential pharmacophore model for the interactions between these enaminones and the active sites of Nav channels. The research reported here is focused on molecular docking studies of the interactions that occur between the fluorinated N-benzamide enaminones and the Nav channels. These studies may open an avenue for designing anticonvulsant drugs by inhibiting Nav channels.

A two-dimensional analytical modeling for channel potential and threshold voltage of short channel triple material symmetrical gate Stack(TMGS) DG-MOSFET

In the present work, a two-dimensional（2D） analytical framework of triple material symmetrical gate stack（TMGS）DG-MOSFET is presented in order to subdue the short channel effects. A lightly doped channel along with triple material gate having different work functions and symmetrical gate stack structure, showcases substantial betterment in quashing short channel effects to a good extent. The device functioning amends in terms of improved exemption to threshold voltage roll-off, thereby suppressing the short channel effects. The encroachments of respective device arguments on the threshold voltage of the proposed structure are examined in detail. The significant outcomes are compared with the numerical simulation data obtained by using 2D ATLAS;device simulator to affirm and formalize the proposed device structure.

环核苷酸门控离子通道及其功能的研究进展

环核苷酸门控(CNG)离子通道是一种非选择性的四聚体阳离子通道,可以直接被细胞内信使小分子——环核苷酸活化,是钙离子进入细胞的主要通道之一。CNG通道蛋白由6种不同基因编码:4个A亚单位和2个B亚单位。CNG离子通道的活性可被钙离子/钙调素(Ca2+/CaM)及磷酸化或膜上磷酸肌醇作用调节,从而改变细胞内钙离子浓度,参与多种生物学功能的调控。自从在视杆细胞中发现CNG离子通道以来,经历了对其生理功能、克隆相关基因、理解调控方式、解析晶体结构和开发相关的基因治疗方法等研究过程,在视觉和嗅觉感觉神经元(OSNs)的信号转导中发挥着重要作用。现就CNG离子通道的功能、结构、调控机制及其与相关疾病关系等方面进行简要综述,以期为CNG离子通道相关疾病的治疗提供理论依据。

P2X7R过表达的巨噬细胞MSU晶体诱导痛风炎症反应过程中IL-1β、TNF-α、NLRP3表达观察

目的观察嘌呤能受体P2X配体门控离子通道7的配体(P2X7R)过表达白血病细胞诱导分化的巨噬细胞单钠尿酸盐(MSU)晶体诱导痛风炎症反应过程中NOD样受体家族3(NLRP3)蛋白、IL-1β、TNF-α表达情况。方法取人单核细胞白血病细胞系THP-1,并随机分为过表达组、空白组、模型组、对照组;过表达组和空白组分别转染P2X7R过表达质粒、空白载体质粒,转染5 d,将过表达组、空白组、模型组THP-1细胞用100 ng/mL的PMA刺激3 h后分化为巨噬细胞,另将MSU晶体用氢氧化钠溶解配制成浓度为100μg/mL的MSU乳糜状悬液加入培养液中孵育6 h;对照组正常培养。分别采用RT-PCR法和Western blot法测算巨噬细胞P2X7R mRNA、蛋白,ELISA法检测巨噬细胞上清液IL-1β、TNF-α,Western blot法测算巨噬细胞NOD样受体家族3(NLRP3)蛋白。结果与对照组比较,过表达组、空白组、模型组P2X7R mRNA和蛋白相对表达量升高,细胞上清液IL-1β、TNF-α水平升高,细胞NLRP3蛋白相对表达量升高(P均<0.05);与模型组、空白组比较,过表达组P2X7R mRNA、蛋白相对表达量升高,细胞上清液IL-1β、TNF-α水平升高,细胞NLRP3蛋白相对表达量升高(P均<0.05)。结论P2X7R过表达白血病细胞诱导分化的巨噬细胞MSU晶体诱导痛风炎症反应过程中IL-1β、TNF-α、NLRP3表达增加,IL-1β、TNF-α水平升高可能通过激活NLRP3蛋白来实现。

融合门控变换机制和GAN的低光照图像增强方法

针对低光照图像增强过程中存在的配对图像数据依赖、细节损失严重和噪声放大问题,提出结合门控通道变换机制和生成对抗网络(GAN)的低光照图像增强方法AGR-GAN,该方法可以在没有低/正常光图像对的情况下进行训练。首先,设计特征提取网络,该网络由多个基于门控通道变换单元的多尺度卷积残差模块构成,以提取输入图像的全局上下文特征和多尺度局部特征信息;然后,在特征融合网络中,采用卷积残差结构将提取的深浅层特征进行充分融合,再引入横向跳跃连接结构,最大程度保留细节特征信息,获得最终的增强图像;最后,引入联合损失函数指导网络训练过程,抑制图像噪声,使增强图像色彩更自然匀称。实验结果表明,该方法在主观视觉分析和客观指标评价方面相较其他算法均具有显著优势,其能有效提高低光照图像的亮度和对比度,减弱图像噪声,增强后的图像更清晰且色彩更真实,峰值信噪比、结构相似度和无参考图像质量评价指标平均可达16.48 dB、0.93和3.37。

MiR-21-5p通过下调电压门控钾离子通道Kv1.1表达减轻大鼠三叉神经痛

目的:三叉神经痛(trigeminal neuralgia,TN)是一种临床上常见的神经病理性疼痛。电压门控性钾通道(voltage-gated potassium channel,Kv)已被证实参与TN的发生、发展,但具体机制仍不明确。微RNA(microRNA,miR)可通过调节三叉神经节(trigeminal ganglion,TG)上Kv通道的表达及神经元兴奋性,参与神经病理性疼痛。本研究旨在探索TN模型中TG上Kv1.1和miR-21-5p的关系,评估miR-21-5p是否对Kv1.1有调控作用,为TN的治疗提供新的靶点。方法:将48只SD大鼠随机分为6组:1)假手术组(sham组,n=12),大鼠仅在术侧切口缝合,不结扎神经;2)Sham+agomir NC组(n=6),sham大鼠通过脑立体定位注射方法于术侧TG微量注射agomir NC;3)Sham+miR-21-5p agomir组(n=6),sham大鼠通过脑立体定位注射方法于术侧TG微量注射miR-21-5p agomir;4)TN组(n=12),采用铬肠线慢性缩窄性眶下远端神经损伤(chronic constriction injury of the distal infraorbital nerve,dIoN-CCI)法构建TN大鼠模型;5)TN+antagomir NC组(n=6),TN大鼠通过脑立体定位注射方法于术侧TG微量注射antagomir NC;6)TN+miR-21-5p antagomir组(n=6),TN大鼠通过脑立体定位注射方法于术侧TG微量注射miR-21-5p antagomir。检测术后各组大鼠面部机械痛阈变化。采用蛋白质印迹法和实时反转录聚合酶链反应检测术后大鼠术侧TG中Kv1.1和miR-21-5p的表达情况。利用双荧光素酶报告基因确定Kv1.1和miR-21-5p是否存在靶标关系,即miR-21-5p是否可以直接影响KCNA1的3'端非翻译区(3'-untranslated region,3'-UTR)。通过免疫荧光法测定,对脑立体定位注射的效果进行评价,随后分别将miR-21-5p的类似物(agomir)和agomir NC通过脑立体定位仪注射至sham组大鼠TG内,使miR-21-5p过表达;向TN组大鼠TG内分别注射miR-21-5p的抑制剂(antagomir)和antagomir NC,抑制miR-21-5p表达。观察给药前后大鼠行为学变化,检测干预后大鼠TG内miR-21-5p和Kv1.1表达的变化。结果:与基础痛阈值相比,TN组大鼠在术后第5至15天,面部机械痛阈值显著降低(P<0.05),sham组大鼠面部机械痛阈值稳定在正常水平,证明dIoN-CCI模型构建成功。与sham组相比,TN组TG中Kv1.1 mRNA和蛋白质表达均下调(均P<0.05),miR-21-5p的表达上调(P<0.05)。双荧光素酶报告结果显示:与转染mimic NC和野生型KCNA1(KCNA1 WT)组相比,共转染6 nmol/L或20 nmol/L的rno-miR-21-5p mimics的KCNA1 WT组的荧光素酶活性显著降低(P<0.001);与6 nmol/L rno-miR-21-5p mimics共转染组相比,较大剂量(20 nmol/L)的rno-miR-21-5p mimics共转染组的荧光素酶相对活性显著降低(P<0.001)。免疫荧光法结果显示通过脑立体定位可以将药物准确注入TG。TN组抑制miR-21-5p表达后,大鼠面部机械痛阈升高,TG中Kv1.1 mRNA及蛋白质的表达水平升高;sham组过表达miR-21-5p后,大鼠面部机械痛阈降低,TG中Kv1.1 mRNA及蛋白质的表达降低。结论:Kv1.1和miR-21-5p均参与TN的发生、发展,miR-21-5p可以通过结合KCNA13'-UTR来调控Kv1.1的表达,进而影响TN。