Single cell observation of ligand-induced desensitization of B-cell membrane immunoglobulin-mediated calcium signals.

Using a digital imaging fluorescence microscope we have observed the membrane immunoglobulin (mIg)-induced desensitization of calcium signals in individual BAL17 B lymphoma cells which express two kinds of antigen receptors, mIgM and mIgD. The mIgD-mediated desensitization was partly abrogated by pretreating the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 24 h, however, the mIgM-mediated one was not affected by the pretreatment. This supports the idea that at least two mechanisms are operative for mIg-induced desensitization in B cells.