The role of ion channels in T cell function and disease

Abstract

T lymphocytes (T cells) are an important sub-group of cells in our immune system responsible for cell-mediated adaptive responses and maintaining immune homeostasis. Abnormalities in T cell function, lead the way to the persistence of infection, impaired immunosurveillance, lack of suppression of cancer growth, and autoimmune diseases. Ion channels play a critical role in the regulation of T cell signaling and cellular function and are often overlooked and understudied. Little is known about the ion “channelome” and the interaction of ion channels in immune cells. This review aims to summarize the published data on the impact of ion channels on T cell function and disease. The importance of ion channels in health and disease plus the fact they are easily accessible by virtue of being expressed on the surface of plasma membranes makes them excellent drug targets.

Venomics Reveals the Venom Complexity of Sea Anemone Heteractis magnifica

“…These peptide toxins have therapeutic potential for autoimmune diseases involving effective memory T cells activated by Kv1.3 potassium channels [25]. Eventually, ShK-186 was developed, which was 100 times more selective for Kv1.3 than for Kv1.1, Kv1.4 and Kv1.6 [61][62][63]. These ShK-like peptides have not been reported in the venom proteomes of other sea anemone species.…”

The BK Channel Limits the Pro-Inflammatory Activity of Macrophages

“…Currently, the BK channel is considered to have either no or little roles in the function of immune cells [29]. Notably, T and B lymphocytes do not express the BK channel [10,[30][31][32][33], and its relevance in neutrophils [34,35] and eosinophils [36] remains unclear. On the other hand, it has been reported that the BK channel may modulate macrophage phagocytosis [37].…”