title: New insights into endotoxin-induced activation of macrophages: involvement of a K+ channel in transmembrane signaling.
abstract: LPS (endotoxins) activate cells of the human immune system, among which are monocytes and macrophages, to produce endogenous mediators. These regulate the immune response, but may also cause severe harm leading to septic shock. The activation of monocytes/macrophages by LPS is mediated by a membrane-bound LPS receptor, mCD14. As mCD14 lacks a transmembrane domain, a further protein is required for the signal transducing step to the cell interior. Here we show, using excised outside-out membrane patches, that activation of a high-conductance Ca(2+)- and voltage-dependent potassium channel is an early step in the transmembrane signal transduction in macrophages. The channel is activated by endotoxically active LPS in a dose-dependent manner. Channel activation can be completely inhibited by LPS antagonists and by anti-CD14 Abs. Activation of the channel is essential for LPS-induced cytokine production as shown by its inhibition by selective K(+) channel blockers.
authors.affiliation: Research Center Borstel, Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Borstel, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blunck
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Scheel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brandenburg
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Seitzer
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Seydel
mesh_terms: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000494:pharmacology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000276:immunology; D008050:Lipid A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D019779:Salmonella enterica / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006017:Glycolipids; D008050:Lipid A; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; C040142:lipid A precursors, bacterial