title: Role of K+ ion channels in lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell lytic function.
abstract: Cells of the immune system possess K+ ion channels which have been implicated in various cellular functions including activation, differentiation and cytolytic function. To define the role of K+ ion channels in the lytic function of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, we investigated the effects of K+ channel blockers on their cytolytic activity. Results show that when LAK cell mediated cytolysis of AKIL-20 tumor cells was carried out in the presence of: a) the K+ channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP); b) the monoamine, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT); c) the serotonin agonist, quipazine; d) or the Ca++ dependent K+ channel blocker, quinidine, the cytolytic activity of the LAK cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Preincubation of LAK effector cells also inhibited lysis in a dose-dependent manner, whereas preincubation of the AKIL-20 tumor target cells produced no inhibitory effects. This study demonstrates that K+ ion channels are involved in the LAK cell cytolytic process and that compounds, including neuroendocrine products, which modulate K+ ion channel function are capable of modulating the lytic activity of these effector cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: LeFever
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liepins
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Truitt
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011802:Quinidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011814:Quipazine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D011814:Quipazine; D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D011802:Quinidine