Welcome to the Feske lab!
We investigate how ion channels and other ion transporting proteins regulate immune cell function and immune responses to infection, tumors and in autoimmune diseases.
Ion channels and transporters (ICT) facilitate the movement of charged ions across lipid membranes in all cells of the body including immune cells. Calcium (Ca2+) influx through Ca2+ channels, for instance, is essential for immune cell activation and function. Ca2+ influx is mediated by Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels that are formed by ORAI and STIM family proteins. Understanding how CRAC channels regulate immune function is an important research area in the Feske lab.
Besides Ca2+, other ions such as zinc (Zn2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), protons (H+) or chloride (Cl-) are important regulators of immune responses. Moreover, organic ions such as ATP, cyclic dinucleotides and metabolites are transported by ICTs and modulate immune cell function. In the Feske lab, we are systematically analyzing which ICTs regulate the function of lymphocytes and macrophages and their ability to mediate immune responses.
Our lab is part of the Ion Channels & Transporters in Immunity (ICTI) program at NYU, which provides a platform for research in this emerging field.
