Vascular Ion Channels in Physiology and Disease

Alex Dopico, PhD, MD, is Chair of Pharmacology and Distinguished Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee. His research interest focuses on the molecular interactions between small amphiphilic ligands, such as alcohol, and oligomeric ion channel proteins in excitable tissues, with a particular focus on cerebral artery smooth muscle. Emphasis is put on determining site(s) of action and ion channel gating mechanisms targeted by the amphiphiles, role of membrane lipid microenvironment in regulating ligand-ion channel interaction, and consequences of such interaction on tissue and organ function. Dr. Dopico currently holds a Merit Award from NIAAA, and also served as editor of the book Methods in Membrane Lipids published by Humana in 2007. Irena Levitan, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology and Bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her current research interests focus on cholesterol regulation of ion channels and cellular biomechanics. She was named a Guyton Distinguished Lecturer by the Association of Chairs of Departments of Physiology for her quantitative and biophysical work on cholesterol modulation of ion channels and how this can affect integrated organ function. She also served as editor of the book Cholesterol Regulation of Ion Channels and Receptors, published by Wiley in 2012.

Foreword.- Endothelial cell ion channel expression and function in arterioles and resistance arteries.- Contribution and Regulation of Calcium channels in Endothelial Cells.- Mitochondrial depolarization in endothelial and other vascular cells and their role in the regulation of cerebral vascular tone.- Ion channels in Hypertension and Control of Blood Flow: Electrical conduction along endothelium of resistance arteries.- Ca2+/calmodulin-gated small- and intermediate-conductance KCa channels in cardiovascular regulation: Targets for novel pharmacological treatments.- Regional Variation in Arterial Myogenic Responsiveness - Links to Potassium Channel Diversity/Function.- Ion Channel Trafficking and Control of Arterial Contractility.- Abnormalities of Vascular Ion Channels during Hypertension.- Kv7 Potassium Channels as Therapeutic Targets in Cerebral Vasospasm.- Lysosomal Transient Receptor Potential Mucolipin (TRPML) Channels in Vascular Regulation and Diseases.- CalciumMobilization via Intracellular Ion Channels, Store Organization and Mitochondria in Smooth Muscle.- Role of mechanosensitive TRP channels in Abnormal Vasculature of Tumors.- TRPC and Orai channels in store-operated calcium entry and vascular remodeling.- Smooth muscle cell ion channels in pulmonary arterial hypertension: pathogenic role in pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling.- Physiological roles and cholesterol sensitivity of endothelial inwardly-rectifying K+ channels: specific cholesterol-protein interactions through non annular binding sites.- Membrane lipids and regulation of smooth muscle ion channels.- Transient receptor potential channels in metabolic syndrome-induced coronary artery disease.- Mitochondrial ion channels in metabolic disease.- Index.