Jianping Yu,1,2,* Bozhi Zhang,1,* Xin Yang,1 Yongjun Tan,2 Yuanfeng Zhou,1 Jiexin Li,1 Xinyue Mu,3 Yu Ren,2 Li Zhou,2 Qin Yang2 

1Neurology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Neurology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Qin Yang; Li Zhou, Neurology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-23-89012008, Fax +86-23-68811487, Email xyqh200@126.com; zlnstu@126.com

Abstract: Brain edema is one of the most devastating consequences of acute ischemic stroke, but an effective and preventive therapy targeting the formation of ischemic brain edema has not yet to be validated. Ischemic brain edema is primarily caused by damage to the blood-brain-barrier, leading to the leakage of ions and water into the brain tissue. Ion channels and transporters play a crucial role in ischemic brain edema. Understanding their function and regulation mechanism could provide valuable insights into new therapeutic targets for ischemic brain edema. Recently, significant progress has been made in the study about ion channels and transporters as therapeutic targets for ischemic brain edema. In this review, we summarize ion channels and transporters involved in the formation of ischemic brain edema, including trigger force, physiological function, regulatory mechanisms, and detection technologies. Especially, we will focus on the roles of these ion channels and transporters in ischemic brain edema, as well as recent advances in therapeutic strategies targeting these transporters.

Keywords: acute ischemic stroke, brain edema, transporter, ion channel, blood-brain barrier