Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
09:40
Teasing Out the Interplay Between Natural Killer Cells and Nociceptor Neurons
Published on: June 30, 2022
2.6K
Chloride - The Underrated Ion in Nociceptors
Bettina U Wilke1, Kai K Kummer1, Michael G Leitner1
1Institute of Physiology, Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|April 24, 2020
Summary
Chloride homeostasis in primary afferent neurons is crucial for pain signaling. This review highlights the diverse roles of chloride channels and transporters in sensory neurons and their implications in pain disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Chloride homeostasis is vital for primary afferent neuron function.
- Unlike spinal cord neurons, its role in sensory neurons is less understood.
- Primary afferent neurons maintain high intracellular chloride via NKCC1 and KCC2 transporters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the significance of chloride conductances in primary afferent neurons.
- To explore the diverse chloride channel families expressed in DRG neurons.
- To emphasize the role of chloride channels in pain disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on chloride channels and transporters in primary afferent neurons.
- Analysis of the functional roles of chloride conductances in sensory neuron excitability and synaptic transmission.
- Examination of the impact of inflammatory mediators on chloride channels in pain.
Main Results:
- Primary afferent neurons express numerous chloride channel types (GABA, glycine, TMEM16, CFTR, VRACs, CLCs).
- Chloride conductances influence peripheral signal transduction, neuronal excitability, and spinal cord synaptic transmission.
- Inflammatory mediators modulate chloride channels, affecting nociceptor function in pain.
Conclusions:
- Chloride homeostasis and conductances play a critical role in primary afferent neuron function.
- Dysregulation of chloride channels contributes to nociceptor excitation and sensitization in pain states.
- Targeting chloride channels presents a potential therapeutic strategy for pain management.
Related Concept Videos
01:44Nociception
32.8K
Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain.
32.8K
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
3.6K
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...
3.6K
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
7.4K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
7.4K
01:43Thermosensation
33.4K
Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
33.4K
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
3.5K
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....
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....
3.5K
01:19Ligand-gated Ion Channels
13.8K
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...
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...
13.8K