Blockade of Ca²⁺‐activated K⁺ channels in T cells: an option for the treatment of multiple sclerosis?

Preimplantation Factor (PIF*) reverses neuroinflammation while promoting neural repair in EAE model

“…sPIF also affected Ca ++ and K + transport pathways involved in EAE/NID pathogenesis [46]. K + blockers are considered as a possible treatment for MS [47] Of note, since sPIF binds to Kv1.3 beta channels and modulates K + transport related genes it may protect against EAE through similar mechanisms [26,30,47].…”

Targeting Potassium Channels Kv1.3 and KCa3.1: Routes to Selective Immunomodulators in Autoimmune Disorder Treatment?

“…Although not as ubiquitous as other K + channels, the K Ca 3.1 channel is nonetheless widespread in many tissues, such as lung, distal colon, and lymphoid organs. However, the K Ca 3.1 channel is mostly absent from excitable cells and cardiac and neuronal tissue . Considering this relatively limited distribution of K Ca 3.1, it can be assumed that K Ca 3.1 blockers may more selectively target the destructive lesions of organ‐specific autoimmune diseases and have fewer adverse effects than existing immune suppressants .…”

“…1,7,72 Considering this relatively limited distribution of K Ca 3.1, it can be assumed that K Ca 3.1 blockers may more selectively target the destructive lesions of organ-specific autoimmune diseases and have fewer adverse effects than existing immune suppressants. 7 It is interesting that K Ca 3.1 messenger RNA has been found in surface-rich, secretory and inflammatory cell-rich tissues, with the highest levels in the trachea, prostate, placenta, and salivary glands. 23 Expression of K Ca 3.1 in basolateral membranes of secretory epithelial cells, such as biliary epithelium, and enterocytes, contributes to the Ca 2+ -activated K + conductance mediating secretion.…”

“…These traditional immunosuppressants systematically suppress the immune system, causing profound immunosuppression. Systemic immunosuppression is also associated with significant toxicity leading to the damage of the protective immune response and adverse events, including increased risk of cardiovascular events, infections, nephrotoxicity, liver damage, bone marrow suppression, and malignancies . Thus, there continues to be a need for a therapeutic strategy that more selectively targets disease‐specific immune responses with a lower risk of immune toxicity and adverse events.…”

Molecular cloning and tissue expression patterns of a small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel gene in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

“…In recent years, KCa has been found to exhibit a number of physiological functions especially in the mammalian immuneregulation, including lymphocyte activation, differentiation and proliferation [18,19]. In lower vertebrates including the fish, virtually nothing is known about KCa, their tissue distribution and functions, in particular, whether KCa could play a similar role in fish immune response as that in mammalian.…”