Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Imaging Initial Ca2+ Microdomains in Primary T Cells
Published on: October 4, 2024
Calcium, channels, intracellular signaling and autoimmunity
Jorge-Hernán Izquierdo1, Fabio Bonilla-Abadía1, Carlos A Cañas1
1Departamento de Medicina Interna, Unidad de Reumatología, Fundación Valle del Lili, Facultad de Medicina Universidad ICESI, Cali, Colombia.
Abstract:
Calcium (Ca²⁺) is an important cation able to function as a second messenger in different cells of the immune system, particularly in B and T lymphocytes, macrophages and mastocytes, among others. Recent discoveries related to the entry of Ca²⁺ through the store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) has opened a new investigation area about the cell destiny regulated by Ca²⁺ especially in B and T lymphocytes. SOCE acts through calcium-release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels. The function of CRAC depends of two recently discovered regulators: the Ca²⁺ sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum or stromal interaction molecule (STIM-1) and one subunit of CRAC channels called Orai1. This review focuses on the role of Ca²⁺ signals in B and T lymphocytes functions, the signalling pathways leading to Ca²⁺ influx, and the relationship between Ca²⁺ signals and autoimmune diseases.
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