title: Na+-Ca2+ exchange in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.
abstract: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) contract as intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) rises. While Na+-Ca2+ exchange has been proposed to contribute to transmembrane Ca2+ flux, its role in cultured VSMC is unknown. Accordingly, we have investigated the role of Na+-Ca2+ exchange in unidirectional and net transmembrane Ca2+ fluxes in cultured rat aortic VSMC under basal conditions and following agonist-mediated stimulation. Transmembrane Ca2+ uptake was significantly increased in response to a low external Na+ concentration ([Na+]o) compared with 140 mM [Na+]o. Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake in response to low [Na+]o was further increased by intracellular Na+ loading by preincubation of the VSMC with 1 mM ouabain. Under steady-state conditions, Ca2+ content varied inversely with [Na+]o, increasing from 1.0 nmol Ca2+/mg protein at 140 mM [Na+]o to 4.0 nmol Ca2+/mg protein at 20 mM [Na+]o. Increasing [K+]o to 55 mM also enhanced Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx. Augmentation of Ca2+ uptake with K+ depolarization was not significantly inhibited by the calcium channel antagonist verapamil. Transmembrane Ca2+ efflux was increased in response to 130 mM [Na+]o compared with zero [Na+]o (iso-osmotic substitution with choline+), and was further stimulated by the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, which is known to elevate [Ca2+]i. These changes in [Ca2+]i were studied directly using fura-2 fluorescence measurements. Elevated [Ca2+]i levels returned to baseline more rapidly in the presence of normal (130 mM) [Na+]o compared with zero [Na+]o (iso-osmotic substitution with choline+). These findings suggest that a bidirectional Na+-Ca2+ exchange mechanism is present in cultured rat aortic VSMC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D007474:Ion Exchange; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D000804:Angiotensin II; D012964:Sodium; D014700:Verapamil; D002118:Calcium