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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
The use of microelectrode array (MEA) to study rat peritoneal mast cell activation
Chi-Kong Yeung1, Jessica Ka-Yan Law, Sze-Wing Sam
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, Hong Kong. chi-kong_yeung@lycos.com
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
|June 21, 2008
Summary
This study shows microelectrode array (MEA) can track mast cell electrophysiology. Compound 48/80
Area of Science:
- Electrophysiology
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mast cells are key in allergic responses.
- Compound 48/80 is a known mast cell activator.
- Electrophysiological studies of mast cells are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate microelectrode array (MEA) applicability for studying rat peritoneal mast cell electrophysiology.
- To investigate the effects of Compound 48/80 on mast cells under various ionic conditions.
- To elucidate the roles of Ca(2+) and Cl(-) in Compound 48/80-induced mast cell responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microelectrode array (MEA) for electrophysiological recordings.
- Applied Compound 48/80 to rat peritoneal mast cells.
- Tested cells in normal, Ca(2+)-free, Ca(2+)-free with EDTA, and Cl(-)-free buffers.
- Verified ion channel involvement using high K(+) and charybdotoxin (ChTX).
Main Results:
- Compound 48/80 concentration-dependently altered latent periods and hyperpolarizing field potentials (HFP).
- Ca(2+)-free conditions modified HFP, while Ca(2+)-free with EDTA affected both latent period and HFP.
- EC(50) values indicated Ca(2+) is not essential for Compound 48/80 action, but EDTA influenced it.
- K(+) and Cl(-) channels were identified as primary mediators of the hyperpolarizing signal.
Conclusions:
- Microelectrode array (MEA) is a valuable tool for studying mast cell electrophysiology.
- Compound 48/80's action on mast cells is complex and partially independent of extracellular Ca(2+).
- This research provides a foundation for future pharmacological studies on non-excitable cells using MEA.
