Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Unraveling Key Players of Humoral Immunity: Advanced and Optimized Lymphocyte Isolation Protocol from Murine Peyer's Patches
08:25

Unraveling Key Players of Humoral Immunity: Advanced and Optimized Lymphocyte Isolation Protocol from Murine Peyer's Patches

Published on: November 21, 2018

Ion channels and transporters in lymphocyte function and immunity

Stefan Feske1, Edward Y Skolnik, Murali Prakriya

  • 1Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York 10016, USA. feskes01@nyumc.org

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|June 16, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Ion channels and transporters regulate lymphocyte functions by controlling cation levels, impacting immune responses like cytokine production and cell killing. This review explores these critical pathways in immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Lymphocyte function relies on precise regulation of intracellular cation concentrations.
  • Key cations like calcium, magnesium, and zinc act as vital second messengers.
  • A variety of ion channels and transporters are present in lymphocyte plasma membranes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical roles of ion conduction pathways in lymphocyte function.
  • To highlight the importance of ion transport in immune responses.
  • To discuss specific ion channels and transporters involved in lymphocyte signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on ion channels and transporters in lymphocytes.
  • Analysis of the known functions of calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels, P2X receptors, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, potassium channels, chloride channels, and magnesium/zinc transporters.
  • Integration of findings regarding cation modulation and lymphocyte effector functions.

Main Results:

  • Ion channels and transporters are essential for modulating cytoplasmic cation levels in B and T cells.
  • These proteins regulate crucial lymphocyte effector functions, including cytokine production, differentiation, and cytotoxicity.
  • Specific examples include CRAC channels, P2X receptors, TRP channels, K+ channels, Cl- channels, and Mg2+/Zn2+ transporters.

Conclusions:

  • Ion conduction pathways are fundamental regulators of lymphocyte activity and overall immunity.
  • Understanding these pathways offers insights into immune cell signaling and function.
  • Targeting ion transport mechanisms may represent a future therapeutic strategy in immunology.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Activation of Murine Lymphocytes08:08

Isolation and Activation of Murine Lymphocytes

Published on: October 30, 2016

Studying Organelle Dynamics in B Cells During Immune Synapse Formation15:39

Studying Organelle Dynamics in B Cells During Immune Synapse Formation

Published on: June 1, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Functions of the Lymphatic and Immune System01:28

Functions of the Lymphatic and Immune System

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in bolstering our immune system. It consists of a network of lymphoid organs, lymph, and lymphatic vessels that provide structural and functional support in safeguarding the body against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
The primary lymphoid organs, including the bone marrow and the thymus, serve as the maturation sites for lymphocytes. Secondary lymphoid organs, like the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, activate these lymphocytes and serve as...
Introduction to Lymphatic and Immune System01:23

Introduction to Lymphatic and Immune System

Immunity is a crucial biological concept about our body's inherent capacity to prevent infections and diseases. A complex network of cells and tissues collectively known as the immune system facilitates this natural defense mechanism. The immune system plays an integral role in maintaining our health and well-being, shielding us from potential health threats.
The immune responses can be categorized into two types: innate and adaptive. Innate immunity comprises nonspecific defenses we are born...
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues01:18

Lymphoid Cells and Tissues

Lymphoid cells and tissues are integral to the immune system, which is crucial in maintaining our body's defense against harmful pathogens. They form the building blocks of lymphoid organs, which include the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes.
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...