Cooperative and alternate functions for STIM1 and STIM2 in macrophage activation and in the context of inflammation.

Calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling in immune cells, including macrophages, controls a wide range of effector functions that are critical for host defense and contribute to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. However, receptor-mediated Ca(2+) responses consist of complex mechanisms that make it difficult to identify the pathogenesis and develop therapy. Previous studies have revealed the importance of the Ca(2+) sensor STIM1 and store-operated Ca(2+)-entry (SOCE) for Fcγ-receptor activation and IgG-induced inflammation.

Basophil expansion protects against invasive pneumococcal disease in mice.

Background: Protein-based vaccination using pneumococcal proteins is a promising approach for efficient vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Basophils play an important role in enhancing memory immune responses to intact proteins. We examined the impact of increased basophil pool sizes on humoral memory responses to pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA).