In our research group, we have been working for some time on fundamental mechanisms for the activation and sensitization of ion channels in neural and non-neural cells. We are investigating the hitherto unknown role of ion channels in the context of neurophysiology, inflammation and pain.

• Prof. Dr. Vera Moiseenkova-Bell, Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States: Structural analysis of TRPV2 using cryo-electron microscopy
• Prof. Dr. Dr. Tibor Rohacs, RUTGERS New Jersey Medical School, USA: Modulation of TRP channels by membrane lipids
• Prof. Dr. Nico Lachmann, Clinical Department of Paediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, MHH: Differentiation of TRPV2-KO macrophages from human pluripotent stem cells
• Prof. Dr. Abel Viejo Borbolla, Institute of Virology, MHH: TRPV1 and -2 as receptors for herpex simplex virus 1 and 2
• Dr. Jörg Isensee, Clinical Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Cologne
• Dr. Silvia Merkert, LEBAO, MHH: CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of TRPV2 in human pluripotent stem cell line Phoenix
• Dr. Robert Zweigert, LEBAO, MHH: Function and characterization of ion channels in cardiomyocytes generated from human pluripotent stem cells
• Prof. Dr. Jennifer Deuis, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia: Nav1.7 as a pain receptor
• Dr. Jeanne de la Roche, Prof. Dr. Susanne Petri, Neurophysiology, MHH: Single channel measurement, Endosomal Patch Clamp
• PD Dr. Frank Pessler, TWINCORE, MHH: Itaconic acid and reactive metabolites in macrophages
• Dr. Caroline Perner, Clinical Department of Haematology, Haemostaseology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, MHH: Communications nerve and immune cells

1. Fricke, T.C., Pantke, S., Luttmann, B., Echtermeyer, F.G., Herzog, C., Eberhardt, M.J., and Leffler, A. (2023). Molecular mechanisms of MrgprA3-independent activation of the transient receptor potential ion channels TRPA1 and TRPV1 by chloroquine. Br J Pharmacol 180, 2214-2229.
2. Pumroy RA, Protopopova AD, Fricke TC, Lange IU, Haug fM, Nguyen PT, Gallo PN, Sousa BB, Bernardes GJL, Yarov-Yarovoy V. Leffler A, Moiseenkova-Bell VY. (2022) Structural insights into TRPV2 activation by small molecules. Nat. commun. 28;13(1).
3. Bracke, F., Frieling, H., and Leffler, A. (2022). Antidepressants Are Poor Inhibitors of Heat-Evoked Ion Currents Mediated by TRPM2. Pharmacology 107, 472-479.
4. Greite, R., Wang, L., Gohlke, L., Schott, S., Kreimann, K., Doricic, J., Leffler, A., Tudorache, I., Salman, J., Natanov, R., et al. (2022). Cell-Free Hemoglobin in Acute Kidney Injury after Lung Transplantation and Experimental Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion. Int J Mol Sci 23.
5. Hage, A., de Vries, M., Leffler, A., and Stoetzer, C. (2022). Local Anesthetic Like Inhibition of the Cardiac Na(+) Channel Nav1.5 by Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine. J Exp Pharmacol 14, 353-365.
6. Jami, S., Deuis, J.R., Klasfauseweh, T., Cheng, X., Kurdyukov, S., Chung, F., Okorokov, A.L., Li, S., Zhang, J., Cristofori-Armstrong, B., et al. (2023). Pain-causing stinging nettle toxins target TMEM233 to modulate Na(V)1.7 function. Nat Commun 14, 2442.
7. Klasfauseweh, T., Israel, M.R., Ragnarsson, L., Cox, J.J., Durek, T., Carter, D.A., Leffler, A., Vetter, I., and Deuis, J.R. (2022). Low potency inhibition of Na(V)1.7 by externally applied QX-314 via a depolarizing shift in the voltage-dependence of activation. Eur J Pharmacol 925, 175013.
8. Pumroy, R.A., Protopopova, A.D., Fricke, T.C., Lange, I.U., Haug, F.M., Nguyen, P.T., Gallo, P.N., Sousa, B.B., Bernardes, G.J.L., Yarov-Yarovoy, V., et al. (2022). Structural insights into TRPV2 activation by small molecules. Nat Commun 13, 2334.
9. Torres, K.V., Pantke, S., Rudolf, D., Eberhardt, M.M., and Leffler, A. (2022). The coumarin osthole is a non-electrophilic agonist of TRPA1. Neurosci Lett 789, 136878.