Shear-stress causes polarized change in cytoplasmic calcium concentration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
Using a newly developed, parallel-plate flow-chamber for confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we studied the distribution and temporal changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in individual HUVECs stimulated by shear-stress. In the presence of ATP, shear-stress (1-10 dyne/cm2) caused a rise in [Ca2+]i, whereas no such response was observed in the absence of ATP or in the presence of Ni2+, a nonspecific, plasma membrane Ca2+ channel blocker. These results suggest that both ATP and Ca2+ influx are essential for the increase in [Ca2+]i in response to shear stress at less than 10 dyne/cm2. Analysis of [Ca2+]i distribution revealed a repetitive intracellular 'Ca2+ wave' originating from the upstream edge of the cell in some populations of HUVECS, which was transmitted to the downstream of the cell. The polarized [Ca2+]i response induced by shear-stress might be integral to polarized cellular reactions such as remodeling of endothelial lining.
Yoshikawa
N
N
Department of Surgery II, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Ariyoshi
H
H
Ikeda
M
M
Sakon
M
M
Kawasaki
T
T
Monden
M
M
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014966:Xanthenes
D000814:Aniline Compounds; D015220:Calcium Channels; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014966:Xanthenes; C059715:Fluo-3; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D002118:Calcium