Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Single-Cell Calcium Imaging for Studying the Activation of Calcium Ion Channels
Published on: December 13, 2024
Eicosanoid-induced store-operated calcium entry in dendritic cells
Kiyoshi Itagaki1, Beverly E Barton, Thomas F Murphy
1Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07101, USA.
Eicosanoids, such as leukotriene B4 and LTD4, influence dendritic cell (DC) calcium levels by depleting endoplasmic reticulum stores. This finding reveals a novel mechanism for regulating DC function and immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Calcium Signaling
Background:
- Eicosanoids modulate immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs).
- Dendritic cell maturation and function are influenced by store-operated calcium entry (SOCE).
- Intracellular calcium dynamics may mediate eicosanoid effects on DCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of eicosanoids on calcium mobilization in dendritic cells.
- To determine if eicosanoids affect store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in DCs.
- To explore the role of intracellular calcium in eicosanoid-mediated DC function.
Main Methods:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) were generated from mouse bone marrow.
- The effects of eicosanoids on intracellular calcium levels and SOCE were measured.
- RT-PCR was used to identify relevant receptors and ion channels in DCs.
Main Results:
- Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and LTD4 depleted calcium from DC endoplasmic reticulum stores.
- Specific antagonists blocked LTB4 and LTD4-induced calcium store depletion.
- DCs express receptors for LTB4 and cysteinyl-leukotrienes, along with TRPC and STIM1 proteins involved in SOCE.
- Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) did not affect DC calcium mobilization.
Conclusions:
- Eicosanoids exhibit distinct effects on dendritic cell calcium mobilization.
- These findings suggest a novel mechanism for regulating DC maturation via calcium signaling.
- This has significant implications for understanding immune and non-immune inflammatory processes.
Related Concept Videos
Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
What are Second Messengers?
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

