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Related Concept Videos

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation01:19

The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation

A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...
Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
Ligand-gated Ion Channels01:19

Ligand-gated Ion Channels

Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
09:12

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Published on: January 30, 2014

Sodium channel activity modulates multiple functions in microglia.

Joel A Black1, Shujun Liu, Stephen G Waxman

  • 1Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06518, USA. joel.black@yale.edu

Glia
|December 31, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sodium channel activity significantly impacts activated microglia functions, including phagocytosis and cytokine release. Blocking these channels with phenytoin or tetrodotoxin reduces microglial effector roles, highlighting their importance in neuroinflammation.

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Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
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Published on: April 13, 2017

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates
09:12

Isolation of Cortical Microglia with Preserved Immunophenotype and Functionality From Murine Neonates

Published on: January 30, 2014

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility
07:54

Rapid and Refined CD11b Magnetic Isolation of Primary Microglia with Enhanced Purity and Versatility

Published on: April 13, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microglia are key immune cells in the central nervous system, surveilling and responding to injury.
  • The precise mechanisms by which microglia detect and react to their environment are not fully elucidated.
  • Microglia express surface receptors and ion channels, including voltage-gated sodium channels, involved in signal transduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of sodium channels in the function of activated microglia.
  • To examine the expression of sodium channel isoforms in cultured rat microglia.
  • To assess the impact of sodium channel blockade on microglial phagocytosis, cytokine release, and migration.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured rat microglia were used to examine sodium channel expression.
  • Microglia were activated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
  • Sodium channel blockers, phenytoin and tetrodotoxin (TTX), were applied to assess effects on microglial functions. Studies using TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant channels were performed.

Main Results:

  • Rat microglia express TTX-sensitive sodium channels (Nav1.1, Nav1.6) and TTX-resistant channels (Nav1.5).
  • Phenytoin and TTX significantly reduced LPS-induced microglial phagocytic activity by 50-60%.
  • Phenytoin attenuated the release of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha, while TTX showed a smaller reduction. Both blockers decreased microglia migration, with Nav1.6 implicated in this process.

Conclusions:

  • Sodium channel activity is a significant contributor to the effector functions of activated microglia.
  • Targeting sodium channels may represent a therapeutic strategy for modulating neuroinflammatory responses mediated by microglia.