Ion transportation through the ion channels and transporter of the cell membrane is essential in regulation of various physiological processes. Since the discovery of the potassium ion channels in T cells, several other ion channels and transporters have been described in various immune cells. Lymphocytes are essential performers in the adaptive immune response, their hyperactivity (autoimmunity) or malfunction (cancer) can lead to various diseases. Furthermore, a novel therapeutic approach using engineered T cells can revolutionize the fight against solid tumors. Ca2+-dependent signaling pathway plays a key role in the activation of T cells and is controlled by different ion channels. Besides sustaining the membrane potential, the ion channels and transporters possess non-canonical functions that could be needed for the transmembrane signaling in lymphocytes.
Over the decades, more and more knowledge has been accumulated about the role of ion channels and transporters in lymphocytes. On the top of the activation, we learnt that they participated in effector functions, migration, and chemokine production. However, we have no accurate information on how the ion channels’ and transporters’ membrane localization, membrane-protein or protein-protein interactions influence T cells’ function. It has been reported that many of them were able to redistribute to the site of the contact area (immunological synapse) between a T cell and an antigen presenting cell (APC), and they showed polarized distribution in migrating T cells either. The plasma membrane targeting, co-localization with and coupling to other transmembrane-intracellular proteins could also modify the activity of lymphocytes.
This Research Topic focuses on ion channels and transporters function mostly related to their plasma membrane localization and coupling to interacting partners (proteins, lipids) and seeks for the mechanisms that can regulate lymphocyte physiology via these processes. Original research and review article submissions that contribute to the understanding of the molecular background of ion channels and transporters related lymphocyte activity not mainly related to their ion conducting feature are welcome. Specific themes of the Research Topic:
• Membrane distribution and redistribution of ion channels and transporters: molecular background and the impact on the Ca2+-signaling
• Physiological consequences of the ion channel/transporter interaction with membrane and intracellular proteins
• Regulation of Ca2+ signaling by ion channels and transporters via protein-protein or lipid-protein interaction
• Non-canonical function of transporters and ion channels in lymphocyte activity
• Pathophysiological consequences of the ion channel/transporter interaction with membrane and intracellular proteins
Topic Editor Heike Wulff is consulting for Saniona A/S and TetraGenetics Inc on the pharmacology of KCa3.1 and Kv1.3. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Ion transportation through the ion channels and transporter of the cell membrane is essential in regulation of various physiological processes. Since the discovery of the potassium ion channels in T cells, several other ion channels and transporters have been described in various immune cells. Lymphocytes are essential performers in the adaptive immune response, their hyperactivity (autoimmunity) or malfunction (cancer) can lead to various diseases. Furthermore, a novel therapeutic approach using engineered T cells can revolutionize the fight against solid tumors. Ca2+-dependent signaling pathway plays a key role in the activation of T cells and is controlled by different ion channels. Besides sustaining the membrane potential, the ion channels and transporters possess non-canonical functions that could be needed for the transmembrane signaling in lymphocytes.
Over the decades, more and more knowledge has been accumulated about the role of ion channels and transporters in lymphocytes. On the top of the activation, we learnt that they participated in effector functions, migration, and chemokine production. However, we have no accurate information on how the ion channels’ and transporters’ membrane localization, membrane-protein or protein-protein interactions influence T cells’ function. It has been reported that many of them were able to redistribute to the site of the contact area (immunological synapse) between a T cell and an antigen presenting cell (APC), and they showed polarized distribution in migrating T cells either. The plasma membrane targeting, co-localization with and coupling to other transmembrane-intracellular proteins could also modify the activity of lymphocytes.
This Research Topic focuses on ion channels and transporters function mostly related to their plasma membrane localization and coupling to interacting partners (proteins, lipids) and seeks for the mechanisms that can regulate lymphocyte physiology via these processes. Original research and review article submissions that contribute to the understanding of the molecular background of ion channels and transporters related lymphocyte activity not mainly related to their ion conducting feature are welcome. Specific themes of the Research Topic:
• Membrane distribution and redistribution of ion channels and transporters: molecular background and the impact on the Ca2+-signaling
• Physiological consequences of the ion channel/transporter interaction with membrane and intracellular proteins
• Regulation of Ca2+ signaling by ion channels and transporters via protein-protein or lipid-protein interaction
• Non-canonical function of transporters and ion channels in lymphocyte activity
• Pathophysiological consequences of the ion channel/transporter interaction with membrane and intracellular proteins
Topic Editor Heike Wulff is consulting for Saniona A/S and TetraGenetics Inc on the pharmacology of KCa3.1 and Kv1.3. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
