Distinct calcium channels regulate responses of primary B lymphocytes to B cell receptor engagement and mechanical stimuli

J Immunol. 2005 Jan 1;174(1):68-79. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.1.68.

Abstract

Intracellular Ca(2+) plays a central role in controlling lymphocyte function. Nonetheless, critical gaps remain in our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate its concentration. Although Ca(2+)-release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels are the primary Ca(2+) entry pathways in T cells, additional pathways appear to be operative in B cells. Our efforts to delineate these pathways in primary murine B cells reveal that Ca(2+)-permeant nonselective cation channels (NSCCs) operate in a cooperative fashion with CRAC. Interestingly, these non-CRAC channels are selectively activated by mechanical stress, although the mechanism overlaps with BCR-activated pathways, suggesting that they may operate in concert to produce functionally diverse Ca(2+) signals. NSCCs also regulate the membrane potential, which activates integrin-dependent binding of B cells to extracellular matrix elements involved in their trafficking and localization within secondary lymphoid organs. Thus, CRAC and distinct Ca(2+) permeant NSCCs are differentially activated by the BCR and mechanical stimuli and regulate distinct aspects of B cell physiology.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion / immunology
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Integrins / immunology
  • Integrins / metabolism
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Membrane Potentials / immunology
  • Mice
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Phospholipase C gamma
  • Physical Stimulation*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • Type C Phospholipases / immunology
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Integrins
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • Phospholipase C gamma