Fluorescent Methods for Measuring and Imaging Cytosolic Free Ca2+ in Neutrophils

Intracellular free Ca2+ plays an important role in the function of neutrophils and many other cell types. In this report, fluorescent techniques for the measurement of intracellular Ca2+ in neutrophils are reviewed. Thus, some commonly used fluorescent indicators are listed, and both theoretical and practical considerations required for their use are detailed. The use of these probes to study intracellular Ca2+ in neutrophil populations or in individual cells by imaging techniques, including measurement using confocal microscopy, is described.