Potassium channels as therapeutic targets for autoimmune disorders

Heike Wulff; Christine Beeton; K George Chandy

Potassium channels as therapeutic targets for autoimmune disorders

Curr Opin Drug Discov Devel. 2003 Sep;6(5):640-7.

Authors

Heike Wulff¹, Christine Beeton, K George Chandy

Affiliation

¹ University of California, Davis Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Tupper Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

PMID: 14579513

Abstract

In human T-lymphocytes, the voltage-gated Kv1.3 channel and the Ca(2+)-activated IKCa1 channel play an important role in Ca2+ signaling, activation, adhesion and migration and have, therefore, long been regarded as attractive targets for immunotherapy. Here, we review the pharmacology of the two channels, their expression pattern in naïve and memory T-cells and their functional roles during T-cell activation, and explain the rationale for the use of Kv1.3 blockers for the therapy of T-cell mediated autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
Kv1.3 Potassium Channel
Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
Phenotype
Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
Potassium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
Potassium Channels / metabolism*
Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated*
T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
T-Lymphocytes / immunology
T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

Intermediate-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
KCNA3 protein, human
KCNN4 protein, human
Kv1.3 Potassium Channel
Potassium Channel Blockers
Potassium Channels
Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated