T-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels: Potential Regulators of Smooth Muscle Contractility

Abstract

Emerging evidence has indicated a possible link between attenuation of contractility in aortic smooth muscle cells and pathogenesis of aortic dissection, as revealed through comprehensive, multi-omic analyses of familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection models. While L-type voltage-gated calcium channels have been extensively investigated for their roles in smooth muscle contraction, more recent investigations have suggested that downregulation of T-type voltage-gated calcium channels, rather than their L-type counterparts, may be more closely associated with impaired contractility observed in vascular smooth muscle cells. This review provides a detailed examination of T-type voltage-gated calcium channels, highlighting their structure, electrophysiology, biophysics, expression patterns, functional roles, and potential mechanisms through which their downregulation may contribute to reduced contractile function. Furthermore, the application of multi-omic approaches in investigating calcium channels is discussed.