The physiological and pharmacological study of major ion channels in T lymphocytes

T lymphocyte is an important immunocyte, which plays an important role in cellular and humoral immunity. Research has demonstrated that ion channels were vital for T lymphocyte activation and proliferation.There are five distinct types of ion channels comprising a network that performs functions vital for ongoing cellular homeostasis and for T-cell activation. Ca2+influx through Ca2+-release activating Ca2+(CRAC) is essential to trigger T lymphocyte activation; K+channels contribute to the formation of T lymphocyte membrane potential; Cl-channel(Clswell) and KV1.3 work together functionally in T lymphocyte in the regulation of cellular volume; TRPM7 play a role in Mg2 +homeostasis. Here we review the recent progress on the five ion channels in T lymphocyte and the blockers of the ion channels-voltage gated potassium channel(KV1.3) and calcium activated potassium channel(KCa3.1).