Expression of Ca<sup>2+</sup>-Activated K<sup>+</sup> Channels in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Their Roles in Apoptosis

Abstract

All 3 members of the K(Ca) channel family were found in fibroblasts. 1,3-Dihydro-1-[2-hydroxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (NS1619, a BK channel activator) or 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (EBIO, an IK channel activator) decreased the proliferation of fibroblasts and induced apoptotic changes by mitochondrial membrane potential disruption. However, a pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-fmk) failed to prevent the apoptotic changes. Our findings indicate that 3 types of functional K(Ca) channels are expressed in human dermal fibroblasts and are involved in apoptosis of the cells through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, but seemingly in a caspase-independent manner.