The channels belonging to the KCNQ gene family consist of 5 different subtypes, which assemble as pentameric channels. The KCNQ2-5 subunits are highly expressed in the ventrobasal thalamus (VB) where they function primarily as KCNQ2/3 heteromers. They underlie an outward potassium (K+)-current, called M-current (IM), which provides a hyperpolarizing drive, thus regulating neuronal excitability....

The goal of this study was to investigate the role of the adipokine adiponectin (APN) in development of spontaneous colitis in IL-10 knockout (KO) mice. To this aim, we generated double IL-10 APN KO mice and compared their disease development to that of single IL-10 KO mice. Both IL-10 KO and double IL-10 APN KO mice spontaneously developed colitis of comparable severity. No significant differe...

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), a metalloproteinase in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, is markedly upregulated in human atherosclerotic plaque. To determine whether PAPP-A plays an active role in the development of atherosclerosis, we crossed mice lacking apolipoprotein E (ApoE) with PAPP-A-deficient mice, generating ApoE knock-out (KO), PAPP-A KO, wild-type (WT/WT)...