Neuroinflammation mediated by microglia and infiltrating peripheral immune cells is a major component of stroke pathophysiology. The calcium activated potassium channel KCa3.1 is expressed selectively in the injured CNS by microglia, and KCa3.1 function has been implicated in proinflammatory activation of microglia. KCa3.1 is further implicated in the pathophysiology of ischemia/reperfusion (stroke) related brain injury. Senicapoc, an investigational drug with a proven safety profile and shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, is a potent and selective KCa3.1 inhibitor that intervenes in the inflammation cascade that follows ischemia/reperfusion, and is a potential treatment for stroke.
