title: Understanding autoimmunity: The ion channel perspective.
abstract: Ion channels are integral membrane proteins that orchestrate the passage of ions across the cell membrane and thus regulate various key physiological processes of the living system. The stringently regulated expression and function of these channels hold a pivotal role in the development and execution of various cellular functions. Malfunction of these channels results in debilitating diseases collectively termed channelopathies. In this review, we highlight the role of these proteins in the immune system with special emphasis on the development of autoimmunity. The role of ion channels in various autoimmune diseases is also listed out. This comprehensive review summarizes the ion channels that could be used as molecular targets in the development of new therapeutics against autoimmune disorders.
authors: AU-KBC Research Centre, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chrompet, Chennai 600 044, India.
authors: Anantha Maharasi
authors: AM
authors: RamaKrishnan
authors: AU-KBC Research Centre, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, Chrompet, Chennai 600 044, India. Electronic address: skavitham@yahoo.com.
authors: Kavitha
authors: K
authors: Sankaranarayanan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D053447:Channelopathies / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels
keywords: Autoantibody; Autoimmunity; Immune responses; Ion channels