title: Molecular properties and physiological roles of ion channels in the immune system.
abstract: The discovery of a diverse and unique set of ion channels in T lymphocytes has led to a rapidly growing body of knowledge about their functional roles in the immune system. Here we review the biophysical and molecular characterization of K+, Ca2+, and Cl- channels in T lymphocytes. Potent and specific blockers, especially of K+ channels, have provided molecular tools to elucidate the involvement of voltage- and calcium-activated potassium channels in T-cell activation and cell-volume regulation. Their unique and differential expression makes lymphocyte K+ channels excellent pharmaceutical targets for modulating immune system function. This review surveys recent progress at the biophysical, molecular, and functional roles of the ion channels found in T lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine 92697, USA. mcahalan@uci.edu
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cahalan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wulff
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Chandy
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels