Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Ion Channels in Cancer: Characterization and Potential Treatment Approaches
Published on: June 16, 2023
Novel biologics targeting the P2X7 ion channel
Friedrich Koch-Nolte1, Anna Eichhoff2, Carolina Pinto-Espinoza1
1Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract:
Targeting the P2X7 ion channel, a danger sensor for extracellular nucleotides, improves outcomes in models of inflammation, cancer, and brain-diseases. Antibodies and nanobodies have been developed that antagonize or potentiate gating of P2X7. Their potential advantages over small-molecule drugs include high specificity, lower off-target effects, and tunable in vivo half-life. Genetic fusion of P2X7-specific biologics to binding modules may enable targeting of specific cell subsets. Besides directly modulating P2X7 function, antibodies can also initiate specific depletion of P2X7-expressing cells. Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) can be used to express P2X7-specific antibodies in vivo to achieve long-lasting biological effects. Furthermore, if successfully targeted to P2X7-expressing cells, AAVs may enable modulation of the function of P2X7-expressing immune cells via encoded transgenic RNA or proteins.
Related Concept Videos
Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow...
Non-gated Ion Channels
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels
Sensory...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
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...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

