Proinflammatory Cytokines and Potassium Channels in the Kidney

Figure 1

Illustration of the time-dependent biphasic effect of IFN-γ on the 40 pS K⁺ channel in RPTECs. Prolonged treatment of cells with IFN-γ greatly enhances iNOS expression, which results in generation of a large amount of NO. The excessive NO reacts with superoxide () to form peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), which impairs the 40 pS K⁺ channel by oxidation and/or nitrosylation. IFN-γ also acutely activates the 40 pS K⁺ channel by unknown mechanisms. IFNGR: IFN-γ receptor.