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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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A Fluorescent Intravital Imaging Approach to Study Load-Induced Calcium Signaling Dynamics in Mouse Osteocytes
Published on: February 24, 2023
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Multiple calcium patterns of rat osteoblasts under fluidic shear stress
Guixian Meng1,2, Cunbo Li1, Haiying Sun1
1The Key Laboratory of Weak-Light Nonlinear Photonics, Ministry of Education, TEDA Institute of Applied Physics and School of Physics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Summary
Fluidic shear stress (Fss) causes diverse intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) responses in osteoblasts. Both calcium influx and release influence homogeneous or heterogeneous patterns, depending on Fss intensity and cell conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Orthopaedic Research
Background:
- External forces, like fluidic shear stress (Fss), can elicit complex intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) signaling in cells.
- Osteoblasts, crucial for bone health, respond to mechanical stimuli through intricate signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diverse patterns of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) responses in primary osteoblasts subjected to fluidic shear stress (Fss).
- To determine the influence of Fss intensity, cell density, and differentiation state on these calcium responses.
- To elucidate the roles of extracellular calcium influx and intracellular calcium release in shaping these [Ca2+]i patterns.
Main Methods:
- Primary osteoblasts from Wistar rats were subjected to controlled fluidic shear stress (Fss).
- Real-time intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) measurements were performed using fluorescent indicators.
- Pharmacological agents including suramin, apyrase, and thapsigargin were used to modulate calcium influx and release.
- A theoretical model was developed to support experimental observations.
Main Results:
- Identified multiple [Ca2+]i response patterns to Fss, including homogeneous non-oscillations and heterogeneous oscillations.
- Demonstrated that Fss intensity, cell density, and differentiation state significantly influence the observed [Ca2+]i patterns.
- Confirmed that the nature of [Ca2+]i responses (homogeneous vs. heterogeneous, oscillatory vs. non-oscillatory) is dependent on the combined contributions of external Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release.
Conclusions:
- A single dominant factor (either Ca2+ influx or release) leads to smooth, homogeneous [Ca2+]i patterns.
- Combined actions of Ca2+ influx and release contribute to complex, oscillatory, and heterogeneous [Ca2+]i patterns.
- Understanding these Fss-induced [Ca2+]i dynamics is crucial for comprehending mechanotransduction in osteoblasts.
