FLOW CYTOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS OF INTRACELLULAR CA2-CELLS AFTER HORMONESTIMULATION AND ACTION OF LECTINS( MOBILIZATION IN ISOLATED RAT PANCREATIC ACINAR)

Isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells were loaded with the Ca2+-sensiti ve fluorescence dye Fluo 3 in vitro and the intracellular Ca2+ changes were analysed by flow cytometry. Morphology, viability, and loading w ith the dye were studied by light microscopy. Stimulation with cholecy stokinin/pancreozymin (CCK) and its agonist caerulein as well as with carbamylcholine (Jestryl) led to an increase of intracellular calcium ions and a fluorescence peak. The slope and height of the Ca2+ signals were found to be influenced by preincubation of cells with some plant lectins (WGA, UEA, PHA, Con A, LCA, PNA). These effects are discussed with respect to the interaction of lectins with the carbohydrate chai ns of cell membrane receptors.