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Membrane potential changes during IgE-mediated histamine release from rat basophilic leukemia cells
The Journal of Membrane Biology
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Rat basophilic leukemia cells exhibit a negative membrane potential. Immunological stimulation causes depolarization, correlating with histamine release, suggesting its role in stimulus-secretion coupling.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Immunology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells are a model for studying histamine release.
- Membrane potential plays a critical role in cellular functions, including secretion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the membrane potential of RBL-2H3 cells.
- To investigate the role of membrane potential changes during immunological stimulation and histamine secretion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the lipophilic [3H] tetraphenylphosphonium cation distribution method to measure membrane potential.
- Assessed the effect of carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP) on membrane potential.
- Correlated membrane depolarization with the extent of cell degranulation.
Main Results:
- The total membrane potential of IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells was determined to be -93 +/- 5 mV.
- Proton carrier FCCP collapsed approximately 40% of the membrane potential, suggesting mitochondrial contribution.
- The resting plasma membrane potential was calculated to be -55 +/- 6 mV.
- Immunological stimulation led to a decrease in membrane potential (depolarization).
- A direct correlation was observed between the degree of cell degranulation and membrane depolarization.
Conclusions:
- Depolarization of the plasma membrane is implicated in the stimulus-secretion coupling mechanism for histamine release in RBL cells.
- These findings align with the role of membrane potential changes in other secretory systems.