KV Channel Antibodies for Pain Research Explorer Kit

Voltage gated potassium channel subunits (K_V) were found to be related to hyperexcitability of injured nerves and pain transduction The predominant K_V1 channels in myelinated nerve fibers comprise of co-assembled K_V1.1, K_V1.2, and K_V2.1 that form dendrotoxin (DTX)-sensitive delayed-rectifier channels.  Interestingly, K_V1.4 is the sole subunit expressed in small types of fibers such as Aδ and C¹.

The trigeminal nerve has a predominant sensory function compared with that of other peripheral nerves such as sciatic nerve because it is predominantly composed of sensory afferents, and only contains a small number of efferent fibers thus demonstrating the neuropathic pain mechanism following a purely sensory nerve injury. Experiments in trigeminal neuropathic/inflammatory pain model indicate that the common activity of the K_V channels, such as I_A, I_K in rats with neuropathic/inflammatory pain, are significantly suppressed compared to those in naïve rats.

Several types of K_V channels have been proposed as potential target candidates for pain therapy. It has recently been demonstrated that a selective KCNQ/K_V7 channel opener (Retigabine), which mediates M-currents, selectively reduces the activity of axotomized Aδ/C-fibers, but not uninjured axons and human C-fiber axons. In addition Retigabine could attenuate allodynia due to TMJ inflammation in rats².