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Updated: Jun 28, 2025
10:46
Mechanical Stimulation-induced Calcium Wave Propagation in Cell Monolayers: The Example of Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cells
Published on: July 16, 2013
16.3K
Signalling switches maintain intercellular communication in the vascular endothelium
Charlotte Buckley1, Matthew D Lee1, Xun Zhang1
1Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
British Journal of Pharmacology
|April 23, 2024
Summary
Endothelial cells communicate via distinct mechanisms, switching between IP3-induced signals in connected cells and ATP release across gaps. This ensures blood flow regulation even with vascular damage.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Physiology
Background:
- The endothelium, a single cell layer in blood vessels, acts as a crucial signaling center.
- It regulates vital vascular functions like blood pressure and flow.
- Intercellular communication mechanisms within the endothelium are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of signal propagation in the intact endothelium.
- To understand how endothelial cells coordinate activities for tissue-level responses.
- To resolve the unresolved pathways of intercellular communication.
Main Methods:
- Utilized precision signal generation and targeted cellular manipulation.
- Employed high spatiotemporal mesoscale calcium imaging (Ca2+) in intact blood vessels.
- Focused on the endothelium of blood vessels.
Main Results:
- Identified dual mechanisms for Ca2+ wave propagation, independent of cell connectivity.
- Regenerative IP3-induced IP3 production transmits signals between adjoining cells, driving vasodilation.
- ATP release as an extracellular messenger transmits signals across discontinuities, also driving vasodilation.
Conclusions:
- Signaling switches govern endothelial cell-to-cell signal transmission.
- Endothelial communication is maintained despite cellular damage.
- Provides a new framework for understanding endothelial signaling and wave propagation.
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