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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca²⁺-imaging and Degranulation Assays

Published on: July 4, 2018

Mechanical loading promotes mast cell degranulation via RGD-integrin dependent pathways.

Vennece Fowlkes¹, Christopher G Wilson, Wayne Carver

¹University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, 6439 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, SC 29209, USA.

Journal of Biomechanics

|December 25, 2012

Summary

Cyclic tensile loading activates mast cells, increasing mediator release. This mechanical stimulation involves RGD-binding integrins and does not harm cell viability or proliferation.

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Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca²⁺-imaging and Degranulation Assays

Published on: July 4, 2018

Analyzing the Functions of Mast Cells In Vivo Using 'Mast Cell Knock-in' Mice

Analyzing the Functions of Mast Cells In Vivo Using 'Mast Cell Knock-in' Mice

Published on: May 27, 2015

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Cell Biology
Immunology

Background:

Mast cells release inflammatory mediators upon stimulation.
Physical stimuli like shear stress and acupuncture affect mast cells.
The impact of cyclic tensile loading on mast cells remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of cyclic tensile loading on mast cell activation.
To characterize the load- and time-dependent response of mast cells to mechanical strain.
To elucidate the role of RGD-dependent integrins in load-induced mast cell degranulation.

Main Methods:

RBL-2H3 mast cells were embedded in 3D fibrin constructs.
Cells were subjected to 24 hours of cyclic tensile loading (0%, 5%, 10% strain).
Degranulation was assessed by measuring β-hexosaminidase release; RGD-dependent integrin involvement was tested using echistatin.

Main Results:

Cyclic tensile loading significantly increased β-hexosaminidase secretion in a load- and time-dependent manner (2.1- to 2.3-fold).
No significant cell death or altered proliferation was observed under mechanical loading.
Echistatin treatment attenuated load-induced degranulation, indicating RGD-dependent integrin mediation, without affecting cell viability.

Conclusions:

Cyclic tensile loading is a novel stimulus for mast cell activation and degranulation.
RGD-binding integrins play a crucial role in mediating mast cell responses to mechanical loading.
Mechanical forces can induce mast cell activation through integrin signaling pathways.