Mechanisms of the Immunological Effects of Volatile Anesthetics: A Review.
Volatile anesthetics (VAs) have been in clinical use for a very long time. Their mechanism of action is yet to be fully delineated, but multiple ion channels have been reported as targets for VAs (canonical VA targets). It is increasingly recognized that VAs also manifest effects outside the central nervous system, including on immune cells. However, the literature related to how VAs affect the behavior of immune cells is very limited, but it is of interest that some canonical VA targets are reportedly expressed in immune cells. Here, we review the current literature and describe canonical VA targets expressed in leukocytes and their known roles. In addition, we introduce adhesion molecules called β2 integrins as noncanonical VA targets in leukocytes. Finally, we propose a model for how VAs affect the function of neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells via concerted effects on multiple targets as examples.
From the *Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Cardiac Anesthesia Division, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; †Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and ‡Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Koichi
K
Yuki
Roderic G
RG
Eckenhoff
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014835:Volatilization
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D007473:Ion Channels; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter