Open AccessPotassium channels in intestinal epithelial cells and their pharmacological modulation: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Dina Cosme,
María Manuela Estevinho,
Florian Rieder,
Fernando Magro
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
american journal of physiology. cell physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.432
H-Index - 181
eISSN - 1522-1563
pISSN - 0363-6143
DOI - 10.1152/ajpcell.00393.2020
Subject(s) - animal studies , pathophysiology , pathological , human studies , medicine , secretion , inflammation , downregulation and upregulation , potassium channel , neuroscience , bioinformatics , biology , biochemistry , gene
Several potassium channels (KCs) have been described throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Notwithstanding, their contribution to both physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions, as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), remains underexplored. Therefore, we aim to systematically review, for the first time, the evidence on the characteristics and modulation of KCs in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies focusing on KCs and their modulation in IECs. The included studies were assessed using a reporting inclusiveness checklist. From the 745 identified records, 73 met the inclusion criteria; their reporting inclusiveness was moderate-high. Some studies described the physiological role of KCs, while others explored their importance in pathological settings. Globally, in IBD animal models, apical K Ca 1.1 channels, responsible for luminal secretion, were upregulated. In human colonocytes, basolateral K Ca 3.1 channels were downregulated. The pharmacological inhibition of K 2P and K v influenced intestinal barrier function, promoting inflammation. Evidence suggests a strong association between KCs expression and secretory mechanisms in human and animal IECs. Further research is warranted to explore the usefulness of KC pharmacological modulation as a therapeutic target.