[Voltage-gated sodium channels are involved in regulating the biological functions of microglial cells].

Microglial cells are widely distributed in the brain and spinal cord, and usually act as resident immune cells which could provide continuous monitoring roles within the central nervous system. When the cells in the central nervous system are injured, microglial cells are activated and induce a series of biological effects. Recently, several voltage-gated sodium channel subtypes were found to be expressed on the surface of the microglial cells which are able to participate in the regulation of the activation, phagocytosis, secretion of multiple cytokines/chemokines, migration, invasion of microglial cells, and etc. In the present study, the latest progresses on the regulation of voltage-gated sodium channel isoforms on microglial cells were summarized and analyzed. In addition, the mechanism and future research of the relationship between voltage-gated sodium channels and microglial cells were also discussed.