Screening of Ca2+ Influx in Lymphocytes

The Ca2+ ion is an important second messenger in lymphocytes, similarly to its function in other mammalian cells. The generation of long-lasting intracellular Ca2+ elevations is essential for Ca2+-dependent gene transcription, proliferation, differentiation, and cytokine production in lymphocytes. Since store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is considered the predominant mode of Ca2+ influx in lymphocytes, the activation and function of lymphocytes can be generally predicted by monitoring SOCE. A method suitable for dynamic monitoring of Ca2+ influx using fura-2 labeling in lymphocytes is introduced in this chapter. Using this technique, large-scale screening of the activation status of primary or cultured lymphocytes can be realized.