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Investigating Mast Cell Secretory Granules; from Biosynthesis to Exocytosis
Published on: January 26, 2015
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Nanoimaging granule dynamics and subcellular structures in activated mast cells using soft X-ray tomography
Huan-Yuan Chen1, Dapi Meng-Lin Chiang1, Zi-Jing Lin2
1Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Scientific Reports
|October 18, 2016
Summary
Soft X-ray tomography reveals mast cell activation dynamics. This advanced imaging technique visualizes granule dynamics, lipid droplet changes, and mitochondrial morphology in 3D, offering new insights into allergic responses.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Mast cells are crucial in allergic reactions, releasing mediators via degranulation.
- Previous studies on mast cell granule homeostasis used electron microscopy, which can damage cellular structures.
- Three-dimensional (3D) visualization of granule migration and fusion in unmodified mast cells has been limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mast cell activation and organelle dynamics in 3D using soft X-ray tomography (SXT).
- To observe the structural changes of granules, lipid droplets, and mitochondria during mast cell activation.
Main Methods:
- Soft X-ray tomography (SXT) coupled with fluorescence microscopy was employed.
- 3D reconstruction of mast cells during activation was performed.
- Electron microscopy (EM) with cryo-substitution was used for verification.
Main Results:
- Observed granule fission, fusion with plasma membranes, and vesicle budding.
- Detected increased size and number of lipid droplets upon mast cell activation.
- Revealed significant mitochondrial morphological changes, including highly folded cristae, indicating functional activity.
- Identified novel granule-containing vesicles (GCVs) containing granules, mitochondria, and lipid droplets.
Conclusions:
- SXT provides unprecedented 3D insights into mast cell activation at the organelle level.
- The study details dynamic processes like granule dynamics and the formation of GCVs.
- Findings contribute to understanding the complex mechanisms underlying allergic responses.
