Membrane Protein Modulators in Neuroinflammation

Abstract: Neuroinflammation has emerged as a critical pathological process that significantly contributes to the development and progression of a wide range of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Recent advances in neuroscience have underscored the pivotal role of neuroinflammation not only in exacerbating these diseases but also in accelerating neuronal degeneration. The growing prevalence of these conditions worldwide, coupled with the limited efficacy of current therapeutic approaches, highlights the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Given the central role of neuroinflammation in disease progression, targeting the neuroinflammatory process offers a compelling opportunity for effective intervention. Membrane proteins are key regulators in cellular signal transduction and intercellular communication, and their dysregulation may trigger and sustain neuroinflammatory responses. Consequently, modulators of membrane proteins have emerged as promising candidates for managing neuroinflammation. Current research indicates that natural products and small-molecule compounds can modulate membrane protein activity, effectively mitigating excessive inflammatory responses and exhibiting potent anti-neuroinflammatory effects. This review systematically examines the classification and functional roles of membrane proteins in neuroinflammation, with a particular focus on the therapeutic potential of channel proteins, transporter proteins, and receptor proteins across various neurological conditions. The identification and development of membrane protein modulators present an innovative and urgent avenue for advancing anti-neuroinflammatory therapies, offering potential breakthroughs in treating these prevalent and debilitating diseases.