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Whole-Cell Recording of Calcium Release-Activated Calcium (CRAC) Currents in Human T Lymphocytes
15:29

Whole-Cell Recording of Calcium Release-Activated Calcium (CRAC) Currents in Human T Lymphocytes

Published on: December 21, 2010

B-lymphocyte calcium influx

Leslie B King1, Bruce D Freedman

  • 1Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Immunological Reviews
|September 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Calcium signaling in B lymphocytes is finely tuned by store-operated calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels and innate stimuli. This review explores regulatory mechanisms and cross-talk for immune cell function.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Physiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cytoplasmic calcium concentration dynamics are crucial for lymphocyte immune cell function.
  • Key components of store-operated calcium entry, including calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels and STIM1, have been identified.
  • Fine regulation of CRAC channel activation in inflammatory environments remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review underexplored aspects of store-operated and store-independent calcium signaling in B lymphocytes.
  • To discuss regulatory mechanisms of CRAC channel activation and sustained calcium entry.
  • To explore innate calcium signaling pathways in B cells and their cross-regulation with CRAC channels.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on calcium signaling in B lymphocytes.
  • Discussion of proposed mechanisms for CRAC channel regulation and activation.
  • Analysis of the interplay between innate stimuli-activated calcium channels and CRAC channels.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests regulated coupling between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stores and CRAC channels for fine-tuning activation.
  • Mechanisms sustaining the duration of calcium entry via CRAC channels are discussed.
  • Distinct calcium-permeant non-selective cation channels (NSCCs) activated by innate stimuli in B cells are examined.

Conclusions:

  • Fine-tuning of CRAC channel activation and sustained calcium entry are critical for B lymphocyte function.
  • Innate calcium signaling pathways in B cells exist and cross-regulate with CRAC channels.
  • Understanding these complex calcium signaling networks is essential for deciphering B cell immunology.

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