Divalent cation signaling in immune cells.

Abstract

Divalent cations of two alkaline earth metals Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) and the transition metal Zn(2+) play vital roles in the immune system, and several immune disorders are associated with disturbances of their function. Until recently only Ca(2+) was considered to serve as a second messenger. However, signaling roles for Mg(2+) and Zn(2+) have been recently described, leading to a reevaluation of their role as potential second messengers. We review here the roles of these cations as second messengers in light of recent advances in Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and Zn(2+) signaling in the immune system. Developing a better understanding of these signaling cations may lead to new therapeutic strategies for immune disorders.

• Authors: Benjamin Chaigne-Delalande, Michael J Lenardo
• Journal: Trends in immunology (Trends Immunol) Vol. 35 Issue 7 Pg. 332-44 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 1471-4981 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24932518 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chemical References

• Cations, Divalent

Topics

• Animals
• Cations, Divalent (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immune System
• Immune System Diseases (metabolism, therapy)
• Molecular Targeted Therapy
• Second Messenger Systems (immunology)
• Signal Transduction