Related Experiment Videos
Antigen receptor-mediated calcium signals in B cells as revealed by confocal fluorescence microscopy
H Yamada1, J Mizuguchi, M Nakanishi
1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Japan.
Insights
Antigen receptor activation in B cells triggers rapid calcium signals. These signals spread non-homogeneously, reaching both the cytoplasm and nucleus of B lymphoma cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- B cells play a crucial role in adaptive immunity.
- Antigen receptor signaling is fundamental to B cell activation and function.
- Understanding calcium dynamics is key to deciphering B cell responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of calcium signals in B cells upon antigen receptor stimulation.
- To determine the intracellular localization of calcium signal propagation in B lymphoma cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized confocal fluorescence microscopy to visualize intracellular calcium changes.
- Employed the fluorescent calcium indicator fluo-3 to monitor calcium ion concentrations.
- Stimulated B lymphoma cells (BAL17) with anti-IgD antibodies.
Main Results:
- Anti-IgD binding induced a rapid increase in intracellular calcium concentration in BAL17 cells.
- Confocal imaging revealed non-homogeneous distribution of calcium signals within the cells.
- Calcium signals were observed to propagate into both the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
Conclusions:
- Antigen receptor-mediated calcium signaling in B cells is rapid and spatially complex.
- Calcium signals do not remain confined to the cytoplasm but extend to the nucleus.
- These findings provide insights into the intricate signaling pathways governing B cell activation.
Abstract:
A confocal fluorescence microscope was used to study the antigen receptor-mediated calcium signals in B cells. Anti-IgD binding to B lymphoma cells (BAL17) increased the intracellular calcium concentration with short lag times. Confocal fluorescence images of the fluo-3-loaded BAL17 cells showed that the intracellular calcium ion concentrations increased non-homogeneously, suggesting that the calcium signals transferred not only to the cytoplasm but also to the nucleus.