Roles of gap junction proteins and pannexins in cerebral ischemia / 国际脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

There are a wide range of gap junction proteins and pannexins between brain cells. The neurovascular unit, which are composed of neurons, glial cells and vascular cells, integrate and process information through cell membrane channels composed of gap junction proteins and pannexins, so as to maintain the dynamic balance of the nervous system. After cerebral ischemia, cell membrane channels play an important role in ischemic brain injury by participating in excitatory toxicity, inflammatory response, blood-brain barrier injury and other pathological mechanisms. Therefore, maintaining the normal function of gap junction proteins and pannnexins is essential to protect neurons from ischemic brain injury.