Screening of Ca 2+ influx in lymphocytes

Abstract

The Ca 2+ ion is an important second messenger in lymphocytes, similarly to its function in other mammalian cells. The generation of long-lasting intracellular Ca 2+ elevations is essential for Ca 2+ -dependent gene transcription, proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine production in lymphocytes. Since store-operated Ca 2+ entry (SOCE) is considered the predominant mode of Ca 2+ influx in lymphocytes, the activation and function of lymphocytes can be generally predicted by monitoring SOCE. A method suitable for dynamic monitoring of Ca 2+ influx using fura-2 labeling in lymphocytes is introduced in this chapter. Using this technique, large-scale screening of the activation status of primary or cultured lymphocytes can be realized.