TRPV5/V6 Channels Mediate Ca(2+) Influx in Jurkat T Cells Under the Control of Extracellular pH.

Regulation of cytoplasmic free calcium concentration [Ca(2+)]i is a key factor for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in different cell types, including lymphocytes. During T lymphocyte activation as well as production of cytokines, sustained Ca(2+) influx is essential, however, it remains unclear how this influx is regulated. Previously, we reported the expression and functional activity of calcium channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 (transient receptor potential vanilloid type 5 and 6) in human leukemia Jurkat T cells. In this study, using single channel recordings, we found that activity of calcium channels TRPV5/V6 in Jurkat T cells is subject to strong control of external stimuli such as a low- or high-pH stressor. We showed that extracellular acidic pH reduces the activity of TRPV5/V6 channels, whereas alkaline pH increases the activity of TRPV5/V6 channels in Jurkat T cells. Using calcium imaging, we found that Ca(2+) influx in Jurkat T cells displayed sensitivity to extracellular pH, similar to that shown for the calcium channels TRPV5/V6. Double immunostaining of Jurkat T cells revealed that TRPV5 and TRPV6 channels colocalize with clathrin and the early endocytosis marker, EEA1. Moreover, we demonstrated that a specific inhibitor of clathrin-dependent endocytosis, dynasore, blocked TRPV5/V6 activity, and Ca(2+) influx into Jurkat T cells. Overall, our findings indicate that strong environmental cues may affect the intracellular calcium level in Jurkat T cells by influencing the traffic of TRPV5/V6 channels in lymphocytes.

Expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 in human blood lymphocytes and Jurkat leukemia T cells.

Regulation of Ca(2+) entry is a key process for lymphocyte activation, cytokine synthesis and proliferation. Several members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family can contribute to changes in [Ca(2+)](in); however, the properties and expression levels of these channels in human lymphocytes continue to be elusive. Here, we established and compared the expression of the most Ca(2+)-selective members of the TRPs, Ca(2+) channels transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 and 6 (TRPV5 and TRPV6), in human blood lymphocytes (HBLs) and leukemia Jurkat T cells. We found that TRPV6 and TRPV5 mRNAs are expressed in both Jurkat cells and quiescent HBLs; however, the levels of mRNAs were significantly higher in malignant cells than in quiescent lymphocytes. Western blot analysis showed TRPV5/V6 proteins in Jurkat T cells and TRPV5 protein in quiescent HBLs. However, the expression of TRPV6 protein was switched off in quiescent HBLs and turned on after mitogen stimulation of the cells with phytohemagglutinin. Inwardly directed monovalent currents that displayed characteristics of TRPV5/V6 currents were recorded in both Jurkat cells and normal HBLs. In outside-out patch-clamp studies, currents were reduced by ruthenium red, a nonspecific inhibitor of TRPV5/V6 channels. In addition, ruthenium red downregulated cell-cycle progression in both activated HBLs and Jurkat cells. Thus, we identified TRPV5 and TRPV6 calcium channels, which can be considered new candidates for Ca(2+) entry into human lymphocytes. The correlation between expression of TRPV6 channels and the proliferative status of lymphocytes suggests that TRPV6 may be involved in the physiological and/or pathological proliferation of lymphocytes.

Endogenous expression of TRPV5 and TRPV6 calcium channels in human leukemia K562 cells.

In blood cells, changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) are associated with multiple cellular events, including activation of cellular kinases and phosphatases, degranulation, regulation of cytoskeleton binding proteins, transcriptional control, and modulation of surface receptors. Although there is no doubt as to the significance of Ca(2+) signaling in blood cells, there is sparse knowledge about the molecular identities of the plasmalemmal Ca(2+) permeable channels that control Ca(2+) fluxes across the plasma membrane and mediate changes in [Ca(2+)](i) in blood cells. Using RNA expression analysis, we have shown that human leukemia K562 cells endogenously coexpress transient receptor potential vanilloid channels type 5 (TRPV5) and type 6 (TRPV6) mRNAs. Moreover, we demonstrated that TRPV5 and TRPV6 channel proteins are present in both the total lysates and the crude membrane preparations from leukemia cells. Immunoprecipitation revealed that a physical interaction between TRPV5 and TRPV6 may take place. Single-channel patch-clamp experiments demonstrated the presence of inwardly rectifying monovalent currents that displayed kinetic characteristics of unitary TRPV5 and/or TRPV6 currents and were blocked by extracellular Ca(2+) and ruthenium red. Taken together, our data strongly indicate that human myeloid leukemia cells coexpress functional TRPV5 and TRPV6 calcium channels that may interact with each other and contribute into intracellular Ca(2+) signaling.

Properties of Mg(2+)-dependent cation channels in human leukemia K562 cells.

The endogenous Mg(2+)-inhibited cation (MIC) current was recently described in different cells of hematopoietic lineage and was implicated in the regulation of Mg2+ homeostasis. Here we present a single channel study of endogenously expressed Mg(2+)-dependent cation channels in the human myeloid leukemia K562 cells. Inwardly directed unitary currents were activated in cell-attached experiments in the absence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the pipette solution. The current-voltage (I-V) relationships displayed strong inward rectification and yielded a single channel slope conductance of approximately 30 pS at negative potentials. The I-V relationships were not altered by patch excision into divalent-free solution. Channel open probability (P(o)) and mean closed time constant (tau(C)) were strongly voltage-dependent, indicating that gating mechanisms may underlie current inward rectification. Millimolar concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ applied to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane produced slow irreversible inhibition of channel activity. The Mg(2+)-dependent cation channels described in this study differ from the MIC channels described in human T-cells, Jurkat, and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells in their I-V relationships, kinetic parameters and dependence on intracellular divalent cations. Our results suggested that endogenously expressed Mg(2+)-dependent cation channels in K562 cells and the MIC channels in other hematopoietic cells might be formed by different channel proteins.