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Updated: May 22, 2026

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays
11:31

Isolation of Peritoneum-derived Mast Cells and Their Functional Characterization with Ca2+-imaging and Degranulation Assays

Published on: July 4, 2018

Roles for ca(2+) mobilization and its regulation in mast cell functions

David Holowka1, Nathaniel Calloway, Roy Cohen

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University Ithaca, NY, USA.

Frontiers in Immunology
|May 16, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Calcium mobilization is crucial for mast cell function, driven by IgE receptor signaling. STIM1 and Orai1 proteins regulate calcium influx, impacting exocytosis and cell migration.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mast cells play a critical role in allergic responses and immunity.
  • Immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor signaling is central to mast cell activation.
  • Calcium (Ca2+) mobilization is a key downstream event in IgE receptor-mediated mast cell activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the molecular mechanisms of Ca2+ mobilization in mast cells.
  • To elucidate the physiological roles of Ca2+ signaling in mast cell functions.
  • To highlight the involvement of phosphoinositide metabolism in these processes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on IgE receptor signaling and Ca2+ dynamics.
  • Focus on the STIM1-Orai1 coupling mechanism for Ca2+ influx.
  • Analysis of Ca2+ roles in granule exocytosis, endosome trafficking, cytokine release, and chemotaxis.

Main Results:

  • IgE receptor activation triggers rapid Ca2+ waves and oscillations.
  • STIM1 and Orai1 mediate Ca2+ influx essential for sustained signaling.
  • Ca2+ mobilization is vital for mast cell degranulation, cytokine secretion, and migration.

Conclusions:

  • Ca2+ mobilization is a fundamental process governing multiple mast cell functions.
  • The STIM1-Orai1 pathway is a critical regulator of antigen-induced Ca2+ signaling.
  • Understanding these pathways offers insights into mast cell-related diseases and potential therapeutic targets.

Keywords:
IgE receptors (FcεRI)chemotaxisphosphoinositidessecretory lysosomesstore-operated Ca2+ entry

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