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Defective mast cell effector functions in mice lacking the CRACM1 pore subunit of store-operated calcium release–activated calcium channels

Nature Immunology volume 9, pages 89–96 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

CRACM1 (also called Orai1) constitutes the pore subunit of store-operated calcium release–activated calcium channels. A point mutation in the gene encoding CRACM1 is associated with severe combined immunodeficiency disease in humans. Here we generated CRACM1-deficient mice in which β-galactosidase activity 'reported' CRACM1 expression. CRACM1-deficient mice were smaller in size. Mast cells derived from CRACM1-deficient mice showed grossly defective degranulation and cytokine secretion, and the allergic reactions elicited in vivo were inhibited in CRACM1-deficient mice. We detected robust CRACM1 expression in skeletal muscles and some regions of the brain, heart and kidney but not in the lymphoid regions of thymus and spleen. In contrast, we found CRACM2 expression to be much higher in mouse T cells. In agreement with those findings, the store-operated calcium influx and development and proliferation of CRACM1-deficient T cells was unaffected. Thus, CRACM1 is crucial in mouse mast cell effector function, but mouse T cell calcium release–activated calcium channels are functional in the absence of CRACM1.

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Figure 1: The generation of Cracm1−/− mice and analysis of the tissue expression of CRACM1.
Figure 2: Cracm1−/− mast cells show defective degranulation and LTC4 synthesis but variable cytokine secretion.
Figure 3: CRACM1 deficiency suppresses the PCA reaction in mice.
Figure 4: SOC influx is much lower but is not entirely abolished in Cracm1−/− mast cells.
Figure 5: Cracm1−/− mast cells have weak store-operated CRAC currents.
Figure 6: Expression of CRACM1 in Cracm1−/− mast cells reverses the defect in degranulation.
Figure 7: Cracm1−/− mice have normal T cell development.
Figure 8: CRACM1 deletion in T cells leaves Ca2+ influx and proliferation unaltered but impairs cytokine secretion.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. Dani for discussions and help with X-gal staining and analysis; M.K. Huberson for help with genotyping; B. Koller for help with the generation and analysis of in Cracm1−/− mice; and C. Bortner (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences–National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services) for help with flow cytometry. Supported by the National Institutes of Health (GM 053950 to J.-P.K.), the Irvington Institute (M.V.) and the intramural program of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Monika Vig, James M Billingsley, Huiyun Wang, Marie-Hélène Jouvin & Jean-Pierre Kinet

  2. Department of Health and Human Services, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, 27709, North Carolina, USA

    Wayne I DeHaven, Gary S Bird & James W Putney

  3. Synta Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, 02421, Massachusetts, USA

    Patricia E Rao & Amy B Hutchings

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  1. Monika Vig
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Contributions

M.V. designed and executed the study and wrote the paper; W.I.D. and G.S.B. did the Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiology experiments; J.M.B. did the retroviral reconstitutions; H.W., P.E.R. and A.B.H. helped with genotyping, real-time PCR and T cell cytokine analysis, respectively; and M.-H.J., J.W.P. and J.-P.K. provided overall advice on the project.

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Correspondence to Monika Vig.

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M.V. and J.-P.K. are consultants for Synta Pharmaceuticals.

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Vig, M., DeHaven, W., Bird, G. et al. Defective mast cell effector functions in mice lacking the CRACM1 pore subunit of store-operated calcium release–activated calcium channels. Nat Immunol 9, 89–96 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni1550

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