Lovastatin blocks Kv1.3 channel in human T cells: a new mechanism to explain its immunomodulatory properties

Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 30:5:17381. doi: 10.1038/srep17381.

Abstract

Lovastatin is a member of Statins, which are beneficial in a lot of immunologic cardiovascular diseases and T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Kv1.3 channel plays important roles in the activation and proliferation of T cells, and have become attractive target for immune-related disorders. The present study was designed to examine the block effect of Lovastatin on Kv1.3 channel in human T cells, and to clarify its new immunomodulatory mechanism. We found that Lovastatin inhibited Kv1.3 currents in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner, and the IC50 for peak, end of the pulse was 39.81 ± 5.11, 6.92 ± 0.95 μM, respectively. Lovastatin also accelerated the decay rate of current inactivation and negatively shifted the steady-state inactivation curves concentration-dependently, without affecting the activation curve. However, 30 μM Lovastatin had no apparent effect on KCa current in human T cells. Furthermore, Lovastatin inhibited Ca(2+) influx, T cell proliferation as well as IL-2 production. The activities of NFAT1 and NF-κB p65/50 were down-regulated by Lovastatin, too. At last, Mevalonate application only partially reversed the inhibition of Lovastatin on IL-2 secretion, and the siRNA against Kv1.3 also partially reduced this inhibitory effect of Lovastatin. In conclusion, Lovastatin can exert immunodulatory properties through the new mechanism of blocking Kv1.3 channel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation / drug effects
  • Interleukin-2 / metabolism
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Kv1.3 Potassium Channel / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Kv1.3 Potassium Channel / genetics
  • Kv1.3 Potassium Channel / metabolism
  • Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels / metabolism
  • Lovastatin / pharmacology*
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Mutation
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Kv1.3 Potassium Channel
  • Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Lovastatin
  • Calcium