Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Cav1.1 , Slo1

Title: KCa1.1 potassium channels regulate key proinflammatory and invasive properties of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Authors: Xueyou Hu, Teresina Laragione, Liang Sun, Shyny Koshy, Karlie R Jones, Iskander I Ismailov, Patricia Yotnda, Frank T Horrigan, Pércio S Gulko, Christine Beeton

Journal, date & volume: J. Biol. Chem., 2012 Feb 3 , 287, 4014-22

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22074915

Abstract
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Potassium channels have regulatory roles in many cell functions. We have identified the calcium- and voltage-gated KCa1.1 channel (BK, Maxi-K, Slo1, KCNMA1) as the major potassium channel expressed at the plasma membrane of FLS isolated from patients with RA (RA-FLS). We further show that blocking this channel perturbs the calcium homeostasis of the cells and inhibits the proliferation, production of VEGF, IL-8, and pro-MMP-2, and migration and invasion of RA-FLS. Our findings indicate a regulatory role of KCa1.1 channels in RA-FLS function and suggest this channel as a potential target for the treatment of RA.