Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kv1.3

Title: Ion channels in the immune system as targets for immunosuppression.

Authors: M D Cahalan, K G Chandy

Journal, date & volume: Curr. Opin. Biotechnol., 1997 Dec , 8, 749-56

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9425667

Abstract
The discovery of a diverse and unique subset of ion channels in T lymphocytes has led to a rapidly growing body of knowledge about their functional roles in the immune system. Potent and specific blockers have provided molecular tools to probe channel structure-function relations and to elucidate the involvement of K+, Ca2+, and Cl- channels in T-cell activation and cell volume regulation. Recent advances in analyzing Kv1.3 channel structure-function relationships have defined binding sites for channel blockers, which have now been shown to be effective in suppressing T-cell function in vivo. Ion channels may provide excellent pharmaceutical targets for modulating immune system function.