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Rat basophilic leukemia cells stiffen when they secrete
Z Y Liu1, J I Young, E L Elson
1Department of Biological Chemistry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Stimulating RBL cells with IgE and antigen causes them to stiffen and secrete. This stiffening, mediated by the cytoskeleton, is linked to secretion but not essential for it.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- RBL cells model IgE and antigen-dependent mast cell and basophil stimulus-secretion coupling.
- Investigating cytoskeletal mechanical changes is crucial for understanding cellular responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure cellular deformability and investigate cytoskeletal mechanical changes during IgE-receptor mediated stimulation.
- To determine the relationship between cellular stiffening and secretion.
Main Methods:
- Measuring cellular deformability in RBL cells.
- Stimulating cells with multivalent ligands, ionophore A23187, and phorbol ester.
- Using DNP-L-lysine as an inhibitor and Cytochalasin D to disrupt actin filaments.
Main Results:
- Receptor cross-linking triggered both cell stiffening and secretion.
- Cytochalasin D inhibited stiffening, implicating the cytoskeleton.
- Increased intracellular calcium and protein kinase C activation caused stiffening and enhanced secretion.
- Cellular stiffening was found to be neither necessary nor sufficient for secretion.
Conclusions:
- A cytoskeletal mechanical response is triggered by the same stimulus that elicits secretion.
- Second messengers mediate both stiffening and secretion.
- The precise function of this mechanical response in mast cell and basophil activation requires further investigation.