Figure 5.

Possible effects of ENaC activation on the healing process. The scheme summarizes some effects of the increase in ENaC expression and/or activity. The direct consequences of the channel stimulation are an elevation in intracellular sodium and plasma membrane depolarization (represented by smaller plus and minus symbols). The scheme also suggests a possible effect on the cytoskeletal organization provoked by the ionic and electrical changes. In a secondary fashion, the rise in intracellular sodium and plasma membrane depolarization determine the reverse mode of operation of the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) with the consequent rise in cytosolic calcium. The sodium and calcium increases constitute signals that modulate diverse cellular processes.