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[Characteristics of free Ca2+ distribution in cultured osteoclast-like cells]
Xiang-Jun Bao1, Xing Liang, Ming Chen
1Shanghai Hospital of Oral Diseases Prevention, Shanghai 200001, China.
Objective:
To study the spatial distribution of free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells cultured on glass.
Methods:
To detect the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells, the images were analyzed with image software, using the laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescent probe.
Results:
At 37 degrees C the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells could be labelled effectively with 10 micromol/L Fluo-3/AM, the intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal in the central part was greater than that in the peripheral part and in the same section the signal was not distributed evenly.
Conclusion:
The intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal is different among various organellae in osteoclast-like cell, which suggests the osteoclast-like cell modulate its own function through the spatial difference of free Ca2+ concentration.
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