Optical Methods for the Measurement and Manipulation of Cytosolic Calcium Signals in Neutrophils

The measurement and manipulation of cytosolic free Ca²⁺ of neutrophils is crucial for investigating the mechanisms within living neutrophils which generate Ca²⁺ signals and the cellular responses triggered by them. Optical methods for this are the most applicable for neutrophils, and are discussed here, especially the use of fluorescent indicators of Ca²⁺ and photoactivation of reagents involved in Ca²⁺ signaling. Both of these synthetic agents can be loaded into neutrophils as lipid-soluble esters or can be microinjected into the cell. In this chapter, we outline some of the techniques that have been used to monitor, visualize, and manipulate Ca²⁺ in neutrophils.