title: Atomic force microscopy to study direct neurite-mast cell (RBL) communication in vitro.
abstract: Communication between nerves and mast cells is a prototypic demonstration of neuroimmune interaction. We used an in vitro co-culture approach comprising cultured murine superior cervical ganglia (SCG) and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed how neurites attached to a pseudopodium or a cell body of an RBL cell. After stimulation of SCG neurites with bradykinin or scorpion venom, RBL cells attached to neurites spread and flattened, and several discharged granules (0. 5-1.0 microm in diameter) were found on the surface of the RBL cells. A neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor (i.e. substance P receptor) antagonist prevented the RBL degranulation. The results showed that activation of the SCG neurites with bradykinin or scorpion venom was able to elicit degranulation in RBL cells which were attached to neurites.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Tanabe-dori, Mizuho-ku, 467-8603, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohshiro
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furuno
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015549:Basophil Degranulation Test; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002450:Cell Communication; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000378:metabolism; D015471:Leukemia, Basophilic, Acute / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology; D017783:Superior Cervical Ganglion / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D001920:Bradykinin