Neuronal ionic co-transporters NKCC1 and KCC2 are two neuronal co-transporters involved in Cl– homeostasis and cell volume regulation. Dysfunction of these two co-transporters has consequences on neuronal excitability leading, in extreme cases, to pathogenesis of seizures and chronic neuropathic pain. The fact that NKCC1 and KCC2 co-transport have electro-neutral positive and negative charges makes the study by electrophysiology impossible.
DHM® is the first imaging technique offering the possibility to dynamically and directly monitor the activities of the two neuronal co-transporters NKCC1 and KCC2 in situ. Moreover, DHM® provides the possibility to pharmacologically characterize NKCC1 and KCC2. This is based on the fact that NKCC1 and KCC2 co-transport ions and water (up to 600 water molecule by charge), an underlying phenomenon which can be optical recorded by DHM®.
Figure 6 (adapted from Jourdain et al., J. Neurosc., 2011)