Real-time imaging of Ca2+ mobilization and degranulation in mast cells

Abstract

Mast cells play a key role in allergy and inflammation processes as part of the immune response. The activation of mast cells via antigen binding and cross-linking of IgE receptors initiates the onset of dramatic calcium (Ca2+) mobilization dynamics that promote the release of mediators of inflammation and allergy. Ca2+ signaling in mast cells has been studied extensively using a variety of research tools and techniques. In these studies, a large number of proteins have been identified to participate in various stages of these processes. Here we describe single-cell imaging as an important approach for examining Ca2+ signaling and exocytosis in mast cells. Single-cell imaging tools have advanced significantly over the last 10 years, in part due to improvements in microscope technology and in part due to the development of a new generation of Ca2+ indicators and genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors. The single-cell imaging techniques described here provide the spatial and temporal resolution required to decipher the signaling events that are critical for mast cell functions.