Vascular epithelial Na⁺ channels (ENaCs) made up of canonical α, β, and γ subunits have attracted more attention recently due to their physiological role in vascular health and disease. A fourth subunit δ-ENaC is expressed in various mammalian species, except mice and rats, which are common animal models for cardiovascular research. Accordingly, δ-ENaC is the least understood subunit. However, the recent discovery of δ subunit in human vascular cells indicates that this subunit may play a significant role in normal/pathological vascular physiology in humans. Channels containing the δ subunit have different biophysical and pharmacological properties compared to channels containing the α subunit, with the potential to alter the vascular function of ENaC in health and disease. Hence, it is important to investigate the expression and function of δ-ENaC in the vasculature to identify whether δ-ENaC is a potential new drug target for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we will focus on the existing knowledge of δ-ENaC and implications for vascular physiology and pathophysiology in humans.

中文翻译：

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人类上皮钠通道的δ亚基-血管生理的潜在参与者

血管上皮Na ⁺由规范的α，β和γ亚基组成的通道（ENaC）由于其在血管健康和疾病中的生理作用，最近引起了更多关注。第四亚基δ-ENaC在除小鼠和大鼠以外的各种哺乳动物中表达，它们是心血管研究的常见动物模型。因此，δ-ENaC是鲜为人知的亚基。然而，最近在人血管细胞中发现δ亚基表明该亚基可能在人的正常/病理性血管生理中起重要作用。与含有α亚基的通道相比，含有δ亚基的通道具有不同的生物物理和药理特性，并有可能改变ENaC在健康和疾病中的血管功能。因此，重要的是研究δ-ENaC在脉管系统中的表达和功能，以识别δ-ENaC是否是治疗心血管疾病的潜在新药靶标。在本文中，我们将重点介绍δ-ENaC的现有知识及其对人类血管生理和病理生理的影响。