Ion channels in the immune system as targets for immunosuppression |
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Authors: | Michael D Cahalan K George Chandy |
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Institution: | Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4560, USA |
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Abstract: | The discovery of a diverse and unique subset of ion channels in T lymphocytes has led to a rapidly growing body of knowledge about their functional roles in the immune system. Potent and specific blockers have provided molecules tools to probe channel structure—function relations and to elucidate the involvement of K+, Ca2+, and Cl− channels in T-cell activation and cell volume regulation. Recent advances in analyzing Kv1.3 channel structure—function relationships have defined binding sites for channel blockers, which have now been shown to be effective in suppressing T-cell function in vivo. Ion channels may provide excellent pharmaceutical targets for modulating immune system function. |
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Keywords: | Abbreviations: [Ca2+]i cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration CTX charybdotoxin IP3 inositol 1 4 5-trisphosphate KV voltage-gated K+ KCa calcium-activated K+ PKC protein kinase C |
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