title: Modulation of intracellular Ca++ in cultured astrocytes by influx through voltage-activated Ca++ channels.
abstract: Fura-2 and indo-1 fluorescence measurements were used to examine intracellular Ca++ concentration ([Ca++]i) and its modulation by voltage-activated influx in murine cortical astrocytes in primary cell culture. Extracellular K+ was increased from 5 to 50 mM to depolarize cells to determine if Ca++ influx through voltage activated Ca++ channels could alter [Ca++]i. In confluent 4 to 6 weeks in vitro astrocyte cultures 50 mM K+ increased [Ca++]i 3-4-fold (from 150 nM up to 550 nM); this increase was blocked by nifedipine and enhanced by BayK 8644 indicating that influx was through L-type channels. However, in 1 to 2 weeks in vitro astrocyte cultures, high K+ reduced [Ca++]i. L-type channels were apparently present in these cells because high K+ in combination with BayK 8644 increased [Ca++]i. Following pretreatment of 1 to 2 weeks in vitro astrocytes with dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) high K+ increased [Ca++]i in the absence of BayK 8644 indicating enhanced activity of Ca++ channels in agreement with previous voltage-clamp studies. Ca++ influx through voltage-activated channels in cultured cortical astrocytes can substantially increase [Ca++]i and these channels can be dynamically modulated by dihydropyridines. Immature astrocytes may express 'silent' or inactive Ca++ channels or have a much lower number of channels.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Group, University of Calgary, Alberta Canada.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: MacVicar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hochman
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Delay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016257:Fura-2 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C049925:fura-2-am; D003994:Bucladesine; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D009543:Nifedipine; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium; D016257:Fura-2