Cardiovascular Na^+/Ca^2+ Exchanger : Pathophysiologic Roles and Therapeutic Potentials

Na - /Ca 2+ exchanger (NCX) is an ion transporter that exchanges Na - and Ca 2- in either Ca 2+ efflux or Ca 2+ influx mode, depending on the ion gradients across the plasma membrane and membrane potential. In cardiac and vascular myocytes, NCX is thought to play an important role in the regulation of intracellular Ca 2+ concentration. Recent studies using selective NCX inhibitors and gene targeting mice reveal etiological implications of NCX1 in cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injuries, heart failure and salt-dependent hypertension. This article presents the recent advance in our understanding of the pathological roles of NCX and the therapeutic potentials of NCX inhibitors.