Calcium signaling in mast cells: focusing on L-type calcium channels

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012:740:955-77. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-2888-2_44.

Abstract

Mast cells play central roles in adaptive and innate immunity. IgE-dependent stimulation of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) results in rapid secretion of various proinflammatory chemical mediators and cytokines. All of the outputs depend to certain degrees on an increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, and influx of Ca(2+) from the extracellular space is often required for their full activation. There is strong evidence that FcεRI stimulation induces two different modes of Ca(2+) influx, store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) and non-SOCE, which are activated in response to endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) store depletion and independently of Ca(2+) store depletion, respectively, in mast cells. Although Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) channels are the major route of SOCE, recent evidence indicates that they are not the only Ca(2+) channels activated by Ca(2+) store depletion. The recent data suggest that L-type Ca(2+) channels, which were thought to be a characteristic feature of excitable cells, exist in mast cells to mediate non-SOCE, which is critical for protecting mast cells against activation-induced mitochondrial cell death. In this chapter, we provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of Ca(2+) signaling in mast cells with a special attention to the emerging role for the L-type Ca(2+) channels as a regulator of mast cell survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / physiology*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating
  • Mast Cells / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology
  • Receptors, IgE / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • MS4A2 protein, human
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Calcium