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Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays
Published on: July 4, 2018
Isolation of mast cell granules
Ken A Lindstedt1, Petri T Kovanen
1Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
Current Protocols in Cell Biology
|January 30, 2008
Summary
This study details a method for isolating mast cell granule remnants. These remnants are crucial for understanding mast cell activation and degranulation in various diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Mast cells are key inflammatory cells implicated in diseases like arthritis and atherosclerosis.
- Upon activation, mast cells release mediators via exocytosis of secretory granules.
- These granules contain preformed mediators and a matrix of heparin proteoglycans and proteases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a method for isolating rat serosa mast cell granule remnants.
- To facilitate research into the role of mast cell activation and degranulation in disease pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of rat serosa mast cell granule remnants.
- Characterization of granule remnants, focusing on bound heparin proteoglycans and neutral proteases.
Main Results:
- Successful isolation of proteolytically active intra- and extracellular granule remnants.
- Demonstration that heparin proteoglycans and mast cell-specific proteases remain bound post-degranulation.
Conclusions:
- The described method enables the study of mast cell granule remnants.
- Understanding these remnants is vital for elucidating mast cell involvement in disease.
