Methyl-β-cyclodextrin inhibits Ca2+-responses induced by glutoxim and molixan in macrophages

Using Fura-2AM microfluorimetry, we have shown for the first time that methyl-β-cyclodextrin, inducing cholesterol extraction from membranes and raft disruption, significantly inhibits glutoxim- and molixan-induced Ca²⁺-responses in rat peritoneal macrophages. The results suggest that intact rafts are necessary for signaling cascade induced by glutoxim or molixan and leading to intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration increase in macrophages.

Involvement of the Arp2/3 complex and WASP proteins in the effect of glutoxim and molixan on intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in macrophages

The Fura-2AM fluorescent Ca(2+) probe was used to study the possibility that the Arp2/3 complex and WASP proteins are involved in the effects of glutoxim and molixan on the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in macrophages. It has been demonstrated that preincubation of macrophages with inhibitors of the Arp2/3 complex or WASP proteins (CK-0944666 or wiskostatin, respectively) results in a significant suppression of Ca(2+)-responses induced by glutoxim or molixan. This suggests that polymerization of actin filaments is a process involved in the effect of glutoxim or molixan on intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in macrophages.