TWO PORE CHANNELS AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET TO PROTECT AGAINST MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA AND AS AN ADJUVANT IN CARDIAC SURGERY

摘要

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating the activity of two-pore domain K+ channels (“K2P channels”) as a means for inducing preconditioning protection. Such preconditioning can be used to reduce the effect of ischemia associated with ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarcation or cardiac surgery. The invention is based on the discovery that the myoprotective current induced by short periods of ischemia is carried by a non-classical two-pore domain K+ channel.