Ion channels in lymphocytes.

The advent of the gigaohm-seal recording technique has enabled the study of the electrical properties of small cells, such as individual lymphocytes. Recent studies using this technique in combination with standard immunological and biochemical techniques indicate that cells of the immune system may utilize ion channels, similar in properties to those described in nerve and muscle, in the process of activation. For example, potassium channels may be required for T-lymphocyte mitogenesis and calcium channels for antibody production. This article summarizes these recent reports.