[Ion channels on T lymphocyte].
There is increasing evidence to show that ion channels on lymphocytes play a very important role in the regulation of immune functions. In T lymphocytes, there are three types of ion channels on cell membrane: Ca2+, K+ and Cl- channel. The influx of Ca2+ into T lymphocyte through Ca2+ channel (CRAC) may act as a second messenger to activate T lymphocyte when antigen binds to the receptor (TCR). The efflux of K+ from T lymphocyte through the K+ channel contributes to the formation of T cell membrane potential. The level of the membrane potential may affect the influx of Ca2+ into T cells. Therefore, the activation and the functions of T cell can be regulated by K+ channel indirectly. Cl- channel in T lymphocyte was found in recent years and it is probably involved in the regulation of cell volume. The recent progress on ion channels in T lymphocyte is summarized briefly in the present paper.
Xiao
Lan
L
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083.
Fu
Hong-Yan
HY
Song
De-Mao
DM
Fan
Shao-Guang
SG
D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D015220:Calcium Channels; D018118:Chloride Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels