Activation of TREK-1 () potassium channels protects against influenza A-induced lung injury.

Influenza-A virus (IAV) infects yearly an estimated one billion people worldwide, resulting in 300,000-650,000 deaths. Preventive vaccination programs and antiviral medications represent the mainstay of therapy, but with unacceptably high morbidity and mortality rates, new targeted therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Since inflammatory processes are commonly associated with measurable changes in the cell membrane potential (Em), we investigated whether Em hyperpolarization via TREK-1 () K channel activation can protect against influenza-A virus (IAV)-induced pneumonia.

K2.1 (TREK-1) potassium channel activation protects against hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

No targeted therapies exist to counteract Hyperoxia (HO)-induced Acute Lung Injury (HALI). We previously found that HO downregulates alveolar K2.1 (TREK-1) K channels, which results in worsening lung injury.