Platelet-activating factor-induced intracellular calcium waves in human uterine myometrial cells.
OBJECTIVE
We visualized and investigated the intracellular calcium waves propagated by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in cultured human myometrial cells.


METHODS
Myometrial cells were stimulated with PAF ranging between 10(-8) and 10(-15) M. For the observation of calcium waves, calcium green-1 and a confocal laser microscopy were used. Cells were also stimulated with 10(-9) M of PAF in a calcium-free solution.


RESULTS
In physiological solution, PAF at concentrations ranging between 10(-9) and 10(-15) M induced intracellular calcium waves. Mean wave speed was 16.1+/-5.6 microm/s. Wave speeds were independent of the PAF concentration. Similar results were observed in the absence of added calcium, with the exception that the wave speeds were significantly slower (7.3+/-3.3 microm/s). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to demonstrate the calcium waves propagated by PAF stimulation in human myometrial cells. These observations further support the proposed role of PAF in parturition.
Yoshimatsu
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita Medical University, Idaigaoka 1-1, Hasama, Oita 879-5593, Japan.
Yoshimatsu
J
J
Narahara
H
H
Yasuda
A
A
Miyakawa
I
I
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D009215:Myometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000502:physiology; D014590:Uterine Contraction
D015220:Calcium Channels; C506926:ITPR1 protein, human; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D002118:Calcium