离子通道在免疫细胞和免疫应答反应中的功能研究进展

Research advances in the functional roles of ion channels in immune cells and immune response

离子通道是一类介导各种无机离子通过疏水性细胞脂膜的膜蛋白,它们广泛分布在各种细胞和组织中,通过调节细胞内外的离子浓度参与细胞膜电位建立并在各种生理活动中行使功能,其结构和功能正常是维持生命过程的基础。分子克隆、蛋白结构解析和膜片钳等科学技术的快速发展推进了离子通道生物物理学研究,同时也极大地促进了离子通道与病理生理学之间关系的研究。免疫系统由免疫细胞、免疫组织和它们所分泌的免疫活性物质构成,在维护机体稳态,保护身体不受病毒、细菌和其它入侵者的干扰中发挥至关重要的作用。研究表明,离子通道在免疫细胞中大量表达并参与调节免疫反应,在免疫系统中发挥重要作用。本文综述了目前离子通道在免疫系统中的主要研究进展,包括离子通道在免疫细胞中的表达及其所参与的免疫细胞活性调节,离子通道介导离子流调控的淋巴细胞发育,以及离子通道在天然免疫应答和适应性免疫应答中的功能与作用机制。此外,本文还对目前相关研究中尚待回答的关键科学问题进行了分析与展望,以期为未来进一步探究离子通道在免疫系统中的功能提供参考。

Ion channels are a widespread class of membrane proteins that help establish and control cell membrane potential by allowing the passive diffusion of inorganic ions with high specificity through cell membrane. They are widely distributed in various cells and tissues, and their normal structure and function are of fundamental importance for all living organisms. The rapid advances in molecular cloning, protein structure analysis, patch clamp recordings and other technologies have greatly promoted the research on the biophysical and molecular properties of ion channels, and made significant progress in the study of the relationship between ion channels and pathophysiology as well. The immune system is made up of immune cells and organs that work together to protect the body and respond to infection and disease. Remarkably, recent basic and clinical research has revealed that ion channels are frequently and abundantly expressed in immune cells and have crucial roles in immune cell development and immune response. This review summarized recent progress in the roles of ion channels in immune cells, including the expression and regulation of ion channels in immune cells, the effects of ion flux mediated by ion channels on lymphocyte development, and functional roles of ion channels in both innate and adaptive immune responses. We also discussed some unresolved and insufficiently addressed issues in the current research, so as to provide an informative reference for better understanding the functional roles of ion channels in the immune system and further elucidation of their function from a physiological and pathological point of view.