Enhanced proliferation and potassium conductance of Schwann cells isolated from NF2 schwannomas can be reduced by quinidine.

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disease that is characterized mainly by schwannomas, as well as menigiomas and gliomas. The NF2 gene product merlin/schwannomin acts as a tumor suppressor. Schwann cells derived from NF2 schwannomas showed an enhanced proliferation rate, and electrophysological studies revealed larger K(+) outward currents as compared with controls. Schwann cells isolated from schwannomas of NF2 patients or multiorgan donors were treated with different concentrations of the K(+) current blockers quinidine, tetraethylammonium chloride, and 4-aminopyridine and K(+) outward currents and proliferation rates of these cells were compared. K(+) outward currents of both cell types can be blocked by quinidine. Importantly, treatment with quinidine reduces proliferation of NF2 Schwann cells in a concentration dependent manner but did not reduce proliferation of normal Schwann cells. Therefore, the use of quinidine or quinidine-like components would possibly provide a novel adjuvant therapeutic option for NF2 patients to slow down or freeze growth of schwannomas.

• Authors: C Rosenbaum, M Kamleiter, P Grafe, L Kluwe, V Mautner, H W Müller, C O Hanemann
• Journal: Neurobiology of disease (Neurobiol Dis) Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pg. 483-91 (Aug 2000) ISSN: 0969-9961 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10964617 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Potassium Channel Blockers
• Potassium Channels
• Quinidine

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Cell Division (drug effects, physiology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Humans
• Neurilemmoma (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Neurofibromatosis 2 (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Potassium Channel Blockers
• Potassium Channels (physiology)
• Quinidine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Schwann Cells (drug effects, physiology)