Cell Activation by Ligands of the Toll-Like Receptor and Interleukin-1 Receptor Family Depends on the Function of the Large-Conductance Potassium Channel MaxiK in Human Macrophages

Abstract

Performing patch-clamp experiments on human macrophages, we show that the K(+) channel MaxiK is activated by lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, and interleukin-1. Cytokine production initiated by several Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and by interleukin-1 is inhibited by MaxiK blockade. This provides evidence for functional association of the MaxiK channel and TLR signaling complexes.