Ion transport and the function of phagocytic cells

Inorganic ions constitute the predominant osmolytes of blood cells and are therefore the main determinant of the cellular volume. In leukocytes, maintenance of constant cell size is accomplished by modulating the ionic permeability of the membrane. In addition, the plasmalemmal ionic permeability dictates the transmembrane potential, which influences a variety of cellular responses. Inorganic ions are also essential for the regulation of the intracellular pH and play an active role in signal transduction during phagocyte activation. This chapter reviews recent progress in the area of ion transport in phagocytic leukocytes, with special reference to the physiologic implications to the activation process.