Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Identification of Specific Sensory Neuron Populations for Study of Expressed Ion Channels
Published on: December 24, 2013
Interleukin-2 inhibits sodium currents in human muscle cells
H Brinkmeier1, A Kaspar, H Wiethölter
1Abteilung für Allgemeine Physiologie, Universität Ulm, Federal Republic of Germany.
Abstract:
The effect of the T cell growth factor interleukin-2 (IL-2) on muscular Na+ channels was studied in myoballs produced from primary human muscle cultures. The transient Na+ inward currents of the myoballs, elicited by repetitive stimulation at 1 Hz and recorded in the whole-cell mode, were inhibited by IL-2 applied to the external solution, the half maximum effect occurring at 300 U/ml. The effect was complete within 5 s and was totally reversible, the on and off effects having identical time courses. The h infinity curve was shifted in negative direction indicating that the mechanism of IL-2 action is a conversion of the Na+ channels into a state of inactivation. The reaction of the IL-2 solution with an anti IL-2 antibody neutralized the inhibitory effect on the Na+ currents, indicating a specific effect of the peptide growth factor interleukin-2 on muscular Na+ channels. The connection of IL-2 and Na+ channels may be important in inflammatory processes of muscle and nerve.
Related Concept Videos
Chemical Synapses
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...
Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...

