Altered K+ channel expression in abnormal T lymphocytes from mice with the lpr gene mutation.
The observation that voltage-dependent K+ channels are required for activation of human T lymphocytes suggests that pathological conditions involving abnormal mitogen responses might be reflected in ion channel abnormalities. Gigaohm seal techniques were used to study T cells from MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr mice; these mice develop generalized lymphoproliferation of functionally and phenotypically abnormal T cells and a disease resembling human systemic lupus erythematosus. The number and predominant type of K+ channels in T cells from these mice differ dramatically from those in T cells from control strains and a congenic strain lacking the lpr gene locus. Thus an abnormal pattern of ion channel expression has now been associated with a genetic defect in cells of the immune system.
D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009154:Mutation; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D007473:Ion Channels; D011188:Potassium