Faculty Collaboration Database

Role of K+ ion channels in lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell lytic function. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1989;11(4):571-82

Date

01/01/1989

Pubmed ID

2560785

DOI

10.3109/08923978909005386

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0024952019 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   7 Citations

Abstract

Cells of the immune system possess K+ ion channels which have been implicated in various cellular functions including activation, differentiation and cytolytic function. To define the role of K+ ion channels in the lytic function of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells, we investigated the effects of K+ channel blockers on their cytolytic activity. Results show that when LAK cell mediated cytolysis of AKIL-20 tumor cells was carried out in the presence of: a) the K+ channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP); b) the monoamine, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT); c) the serotonin agonist, quipazine; d) or the Ca++ dependent K+ channel blocker, quinidine, the cytolytic activity of the LAK cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Preincubation of LAK effector cells also inhibited lysis in a dose-dependent manner, whereas preincubation of the AKIL-20 tumor target cells produced no inhibitory effects. This study demonstrates that K+ ion channels are involved in the LAK cell cytolytic process and that compounds, including neuroendocrine products, which modulate K+ ion channel function are capable of modulating the lytic activity of these effector cells.

Author List

LeFever A, Liepins A, Truitt R

Author

Robert L. Truitt PhD Emeritus Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

4-Aminopyridine
Animals
Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
In Vitro Techniques
Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Potassium Channels
Quinidine
Quipazine
Receptors, Serotonin
Serotonin