title: Modelling the effects of calcium waves and oscillations on saliva secretion.
abstract: An understanding of Ca(2+) signalling in saliva-secreting acinar cells is important, as Ca(2+) is the second messenger linking stimulation of cells to production of saliva. Ca(2+) signals affect secretion via the ion channels located both apically and basolaterally in the cell. By approximating Ca(2+) waves with periodic functions on the apical and basolateral membranes, we isolate individual wave properties and investigate them for their effect on fluid secretion in a mathematical model of the acinar cell. Mean Ca(2+) concentration is found to be the most significant property in signalling secretion. Wave speed was found to encode a range of secretion rates. Ca(2+) oscillation frequency and amplitude had little effect on fluid secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. l.palk@math.auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palk
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sneyd
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Trevor J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Shuttleworth
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Yule
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Maclaren
authors.forename: Edmund J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Crampin
mesh_terms: D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000502:physiology*; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012472:Salivation / Q000502:physiology*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018118:Chloride Channels