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Mechanical stimulation and intercellular communication increases intracellular Ca2+ in epithelial cells
M J Sanderson1, A C Charles, E R Dirksen
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
Cell Regulation
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Epithelial cells communicate via calcium (Ca2+) waves, triggered by mechanical stimulation. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) likely mediates this intercellular signaling through gap junctions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Epithelial cells exhibit intercellular communication.
- Calcium ions (Ca2+) play a crucial role in cellular signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of intercellular communication in respiratory tract ciliated cells.
- To determine the role of calcium ions and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) in this process.
Main Methods:
- Measuring intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) changes.
- Applying mechanical stimulation to cultured ciliated cells.
- Using halothane to assess cell coupling.
- Performing iontophoretic injection of IP3.
Main Results:
- Mechanical stimulation induced propagating Ca2+ waves between ciliated epithelial cells.
- Halothane blocked or restricted Ca2+ wave communication.
- Extracellular Ca2+ absence affected mechanically stimulated cells differently than neighbors.
- IP3 injection mimicked the mechanically stimulated Ca2+ response.
Conclusions:
- Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) acts as a cellular messenger in ciliated epithelial cells.
- Intercellular communication is mediated through gap junctions.
- Ca2+ waves are a key component of this signaling pathway.