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Brain Science Advances 2023, 9(1): 15-23 https://doi.org/10.26599/BSA.2023.9050001
Review Article | Open Access | Issue | Published: 27 February 2023

BK channels in microglia

Show Author's Information Xiaohui Sun( )
The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
Keywords:
microglia, migration, phagocytosis, neuroinflammation, BK channel
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Sun X. BK channels in microglia. Brain Science Advances, 2023, 9(1): 15-23. https://doi.org/10.26599/BSA.2023.9050001
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Abstract Full text About this article

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-dependent potassium (BK) channels are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells and participate in various physiological and pathological processes such as neurotransmission and cerebral ischemia. BK channels comprise up to four pore-forming α subunits and zero to four accessory subunits. Although microglial BK currents were initially recorded 27 years ago, their roles have long been elusive. Studies have demonstrated that BK channels modulate the activation, phagocytosis, and probably migration of microglia and have associated microglial BK channels with many neurological diseases, including neuropathic pain and stroke. This review summarizes the available information regarding the biophysical, functional, and pathological aspects of microglial BK channels and discusses future directions of research into these channels.


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About this article

BK channels in microglia

Show Author's information Xiaohui Sun( )
The Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China

Abstract

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-dependent potassium (BK) channels are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells and participate in various physiological and pathological processes such as neurotransmission and cerebral ischemia. BK channels comprise up to four pore-forming α subunits and zero to four accessory subunits. Although microglial BK currents were initially recorded 27 years ago, their roles have long been elusive. Studies have demonstrated that BK channels modulate the activation, phagocytosis, and probably migration of microglia and have associated microglial BK channels with many neurological diseases, including neuropathic pain and stroke. This review summarizes the available information regarding the biophysical, functional, and pathological aspects of microglial BK channels and discusses future directions of research into these channels.

Keywords: microglia, migration, phagocytosis, neuroinflammation, BK channel

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Publication history

Received: 28 August 2022
Revised: 27 September 2022
Accepted: 30 September 2022
Published: 27 February 2023
Issue date: March 2023

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© The authors 2023.

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