Blocking ion channel KCNN4 alleviates the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

The KCNN4 potassium-ion channel has been reported to play an important role in regulating antigen-induced T cell effector functions in vitro. This study presents the first evidence that a selective KCNN4 blocker, TRAM-34, confers protection against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the mouse model. Treatment with the KCNN4 blocker did not prevent infiltration of T cells in the spinal cord, but resulted in the reduction of both the protein and the message levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ as well as the message levels of several other pro-inflammatory molecules in the spinal cord. Plasma concentrations of TRAM-34 within a 24-h period were between the in vitro IC50 and IC90 values for the KCNN4 channel. The effect of TRAM-34 was reversible, as indicated by the development of clinical EAE symptoms within 48 h after withdrawal of treatment. In summary, our data support the idea that KCNN4 channels play a critical role in the immune response during the development of MOG-induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice. See accompanying Commentary: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200526078