螺旋藻多糖对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞游离Ca~(2+)浓度的影响

目的 :研究探讨螺旋藻多糖 (SPP)的免疫调节机制。方法 :采用荧光分光光度法 ,测定SPP对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞 (MΦ)游离Ca2 +浓度 ([Ca2 +]i)的影响。结果 :SPP能剂量依赖性地引起小鼠腹腔MΦ[Ca2 +]i 明显升高 ,[Ca2 +]i 的升高是由胞外钙内流和胞内钙释放共同作用的结果。结论 :SPP所产生的免疫调节作用与其能够使巨噬细胞[Ca2 +]i 升高有关。     

ATP和凝血酶诱导的血管内皮细胞Ca~(2+)内流比较

采用fura 2荧光测定细胞 [Ca2 +]i 变化技术 ,在培养的牛主动脉内皮细胞上观察ATP和凝血酶诱导的Ca2 +内流的特性 .ATP和凝血酶均能诱导内皮细胞 [Ca2 +]i 呈双相升高 ,它们诱导的Ca2 +释放是环匹阿尼酸 (CPA)敏感Ca2 +池的一部分 .ATP诱导的Ca2 +释放和Ca2 +内流不完全通过激活磷脂酶C介导 ,而凝血酶诱导的Ca2 +释放和Ca2 +内流则完全通过激活磷脂酶C介导 .硝苯地平对ATP和凝血酶诱导的Ca2 +内流均无影响 ;SK&F 96 36 5与三七皂甙 2A对凝血酶诱导的Ca2 +内流没有影响 ,但可抑制ATP诱导的Ca2 +内流 ,且此作用比它们对CPA诱导Ca2 +内流的抑制作用小 .SK&F 96 36 5和三七皂甙 2A敏感的Ca2 +内流的特性不同 .结果表明ATP和凝血酶激活不同受体 ,引起Ca2 +内流的机理不同     

Cl~-通道阻断剂对5-HT和CPA引起的兔脑椎基底动脉平滑肌细胞Ca~(2+)内流的影响

目的　在培养的兔脑椎基底动脉平滑肌细胞上观察5 HT和CPA诱导的Ca2 + 内流的特性 ,电压依赖性Ca2 + 通道 (VDC)抑制药尼莫地平 ,非电压依赖性Ca2 + 通道抑制药SK&F963 65及Cl-通道阻断剂DIDS、NPPB对两种激动剂引起 [Ca2 + ]i 反应的影响 ,以探讨脑血管平滑肌细胞中 5 HT引起Ca2 + 内流的特性、Cl-通道与Ca2 + 内流的关系。方法　采用生物荧光双波长影像分析系统瞬即测定单细胞胞质[Ca2 + ]i 技术。结果　① 5 HT和CPA均能诱导平滑肌细胞[Ca2 + ]i 呈双相升高 ,并且 5 HT诱导的Ca2 + 释放是环匹阿尼酸 (CPA)敏感Ca2 + 池的一部分 ;②尼莫地平对 5 HT和CPA触发的Ca2 + 内流无明显影响 ,而SK&F963 65可阻止二者触发的Ca2 + 内流 ;③Cl-通道阻断剂DIDS、NPPB呈浓度依赖性抑制Ca2 + 内流 ,在SK&F963 65最大限度抑制Ca2 + 内流后 ,DIDS、NPPB可进一步抑制Ca2 + 内流 ;而Ca2 +内流被DIDS、NPPB分别最大抑制后 ,SK&F963 65也可进一步抑制Ca2 + 内流。结论　 5 HT引起的Ca2 + 内流是经SK&F963 65敏感的非VDC ,其中包含Ca2 + 释放引起的Ca2 + 内流 (CRAC)成分与非CRAC成分 ,并且这两部分Ca2 +内流均与DIDS、NPPB敏感的Cl-通道开放有关     

葛根素对培养人脐静脉内皮细胞钙超载的影响

目的探讨葛根素对培养人脐静脉内皮细胞钙超载的影响。方法采用钙荧光探针F luo-3/AM标记培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs),激光共聚焦显微镜检测细胞胞内钙荧光信号,观察H2O2、ATP和高K+刺激作用下葛根素对培养的HUVECs中钙超载的影响。结果葛根素能抑制H2O2、ATP和高K+引起的[Ca2+]i升高,抑制率分别为72.2%、56.5%和78.2%;葛根素对高K+引起的钙超载的抑制作用与L-型电压依赖型钙通道的特异性拮抗剂Verapam il相似。结论葛根素可以缓解培养人脐静脉内皮细胞内钙超载,其作用机制可能与拮抗膜上电压依赖型钙通道和抑制内质网钙库释放有关。     

巯亚硝基卡托普利对环匹阿尼酸引起的平滑肌细胞胞浆游离Ca^2＋浓度升高作用的影响

目的探讨巯亚硝基卡托普利(S-nitrosocaptopril,CapNO)对Ca 2+池操纵性Ca2+内流信号转导过程的影响.方法以Fura-2 荧光探针测定胞浆游离Ca2+ 浓度([Ca2+]I ).结果①CapNO(20～120 μmol·L -1)呈浓度依赖性抑制环匹阿尼酸(cyclopiazonic acid, CPA)引起的 [Ca2+]I升高,80 μmol·L-1 CapNO为最大效应浓度.相同浓度的captopril对CPA升高[Ca2+ ]I无明显抑制作用.②在80 μmol·L-1 CapNO抑制CPA引起[Ca2+]I升高作用的基础上(31%±11%);随后加入1 μmol·L-1硝苯地平不能降低[Ca2+ ]I,再加入20 μmol·L-1SK&F96365(最大效应浓度)可进一步降低 [Ca 2+]I(54%±18%),其中SK&F96365净抑制率为24%±10%,与SK&F96365单独作用抑制率(54%±11%)比较差异有显著性.③不同顺序给予最大效应浓度CapNO(80 μmol·L -1)和tyrphostinAG490(2 μmol·L-1)对CPA引起[Ca2+]I升高存在交叉抑制作用.结论 CapNO可通过阻断电压依赖性Ca2+通道和Ca 2+池操纵性Ca2+通道抑制CPA引起的[Ca2+]I升高,CapNO对CPA引起[ Ca2+]I升高的阻断作用存在酪氨酸激酶(Janus2亚型)敏感和非敏感两条途径.     

小檗胺对ROCC介导的血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙的影响

目的　研究小檗胺 (BA)对受体调控性Ca2 +通道介导的家兔胸主动脉血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙 ([Ca2 +]i)的影响。方法　家兔主动脉血管平滑肌以Fluo 3/AM负载 ,通过激光扫描共聚焦显微镜 (LSCM )测定 [Ca2 +]i。结果　在细胞外Ca2 +存在的条件下 ,BA 30 μmol·L-1不影响静息[Ca2 +]i;但对去甲肾上腺素 (NE) 30mmol·L-1、5 羟色胺 (5 HT) 1μmol·L-1诱导的 [Ca2 +]i 升高有明显的抑制作用。在无胞外钙时 ,对咖啡因 40mmol·L-1诱导的 [Ca2 +]i 升高没有作用。结论　BA对ROCC激活后的外钙内流有明显的抑制作用 ,对内钙释放没有影响。其作用与维拉帕米相似     

镉诱导HEK293细胞胞内钙稳态的失调引发细胞凋亡

目的　研究镉诱导HEK2 93细胞钙稳态失调及其引发细胞凋亡的机制。方法　通过吖啶橙 /溴乙锭双荧光染色法检测细胞凋亡 ,并通过MTT法检测细胞生长抑制 ;以Fluo 3/AM和Fura 2 /AM为探针检测胞浆内游离钙离子浓度 ([Ca2 +]i)的变化 ;使用钙调磷酸酶试剂盒测定镉对钙调磷酸酶活性的影响。结果　镉诱导HEK2 93细胞的凋亡和生长抑制呈浓度依赖性 ;镉通过引发胞内钙库的释放后引起胞外钙离子内流 ;钙信号阻断剂能显著地抑制镉引起的细胞凋亡 ;镉使胞内钙调磷酸酶的活性显著增加。结论　 [Ca2 +]i 升高使钙调磷酸酶活化可能在镉引发细胞凋亡过程中起重要作用。     

丹酚酸B镁抑制ATP和KCl诱导大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞内钙的升高

目的研究丹酚酸B镁(M agnesium lithosperm ate B,MLB)对去内皮离体血管舒缩反应以及对血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度[Ca2+]i的影响。方法去内皮大鼠胸主动脉血管环等张收缩实验和采用钙离子荧光指示剂F luo-3,运用F-4500阳离子测定系统动态检测胸主动脉平滑肌细胞[Ca2+]i。结果血管舒缩实验显示,无钙或常钙条件下MLB对血管基础张力均无作用。MLB 50~200μmol.L-1预给药组抑制无钙条件下苯肾上腺素(PE)1μmol.L-1诱导的血管收缩以及常钙条件下KC l 60 mmol.L-1诱导的血管收缩,并呈浓度相关性。而钙离子通道阻滞剂维拉帕米(Ver)10μmol.L-1则完全阻断KC l诱导的血管收缩。在复钙实验中观察到,MLB 50~200μmol.L-1不仅抑制PE 1μmol.L-1诱导的内钙依赖性血管收缩,而且对复钙后外钙依赖性的血管收缩也有抑制作用。细胞内钙测定实验表明,MLB预孵育的AVSMCs静息态[Ca2+]i没有变化。无钙条件下,MLB 50、100和200μmol.L-1抑制ATP20μmol.L-1诱导内钙释放引起的[Ca2+]i升高,抑制率分别为17.4%、32.4%和61.1%,显示较好的浓度相关性。AVSMCs于常钙条件下用Thapsigargin耗竭钙库后,KCl 60 mmol.L-1诱发外钙内流,引起[Ca2+]i升高,10μmol.L-1的Ver则能完全阻断这种外钙内流。在MLB预给药组,KCl诱导的[Ca2+]i升高降低,抑制率分别为20.0%、32.8%和52.6%。结论MLB能够抑制PE、高K+和复Ca2+诱导的血管收缩,并能抑制ATP和KCl诱导的血管平滑肌细胞内钙的升高,提示MLB对血管平滑肌细胞内钙的影响可能与抑制细胞内钙释放和电压依赖性钙通道有关。     

巯亚硝基卡托普利对环匹阿尼酸引起的平滑肌细胞胞浆游离Ca2+浓度升高作用的影响

目的探讨巯亚硝基卡托普利(S-nitrosocaptopril,CapNO)对Ca 2+池操纵性Ca2+内流信号转导过程的影响.方法以Fura-2 荧光探针测定胞浆游离Ca2+ 浓度([Ca2+]i ).结果①CapNO(20～120 μmol·L -1)呈浓度依赖性抑制环匹阿尼酸(cyclopiazonic acid, CPA)引起的 [Ca2+]i升高,80 μmol·L-1 CapNO为最大效应浓度.相同浓度的captopril对CPA升高[Ca2+ ]i无明显抑制作用.②在80 μmol·L-1 CapNO抑制CPA引起[Ca2+]i升高作用的基础上(31%±11%);随后加入1 μmol·L-1硝苯地平不能降低[Ca2+ ]i,再加入20 μmol·L-1SK&F96365(最大效应浓度)可进一步降低 [Ca 2+]i(54%±18%),其中SK&F96365净抑制率为24%±10%,与SK&F96365单独作用抑制率(54%±11%)比较差异有显著性.③不同顺序给予最大效应浓度CapNO(80 μmol·L -1)和tyrphostinAG490(2 μmol·     

T型钙通道在心肌肥厚大鼠心肌细胞钙内流中的作用

目的研究T型钙通道在心肌细胞钙离子内流中的作用及其对心脏兴奋收缩耦联的可能影响。方法测定选择性T型钙通道阻滞剂米贝拉地尔对培养的SD乳大鼠心室肌细胞和二肾一夹心肌肥厚大鼠心室肌细胞[Ca2+]i的影响。结果血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)刺激使乳大鼠心室肌舒张期细胞[Ca2+]i增高,收缩期细胞[Ca2+]i降低,[Ca2+]i上升和下降的时间延长。米贝拉地尔1.25～5μmol·L-1浓度依赖性降低AngⅡ引起的细胞[Ca2+]i变化。在心肌肥厚模型大鼠,咖啡因刺激后,[Ca2+]i增幅和最高[Ca2+]i明显降低。而米贝拉地尔25mg·kg-1·d-1(灌胃给药7～9周)组加入咖啡因刺激后细胞内[Ca2+]i增幅和最高[Ca2+]i明显增高。结论T型钙通道异常开放可以引起心肌细胞内钙超载。阻断T型钙通道,可能通过改善肌浆网摄取及释放钙的功能而抑制心肌细胞钙超载。     

Differential effect of diltiazem and TA-3090 on calcium homeostasis of neutrophils.

The effects of diltiazem and TA-3090, an 8-chloro analog of diltiazem, on cellular responses and calcium homeostasis of human neutrophils were investigated. TA-3090, at 10 to 20 microM, enhanced lysozyme release and superoxide generation induced in neutrophils by n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). Higher concentrations of TA-3090 inhibited responses at IC50s between 70 and 85 microM. Diltiazem by comparison inhibited responses at an IC50 of about 200 microM. The two drugs had little or no effect on early signaling events: inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation triggered by FMLP was not affected. Moreover, 500 microM TA-3090 or diltiazem did not significantly affect FMLP-triggered Ca2+ transients. (Cytoplasmic free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) were monitored in fura-2-loaded neutrophils.) Diltiazem alone caused a limited influx of extracellular Ca2+ which increased basal [Ca2+]i by twofold. Internal Ca2+ stores were not released. TA-3090, in contrast, induced a biphasic rise in [Ca2+]i--an initial mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores was followed after 10-15 min by a persistent influx of extracellular Ca2+ which increased [Ca2+]i to 1.3 +/- 0.7 (SD) microM. Complementary studies with semipermeabilized neutrophils showed that TA-3090 but not diltiazem directly released Ca2+ from intracellular stores. In TA-3090-treated cells, lactate dehydrogenase release was correlated with delayed influx of extracellular Ca2+. The chelation of extracellular Ca2+ by EGTA prevented LDH release. Present results show that TA-3090 and diltiazem initially blocked cell signaling at steps subsequent to phospholipase C activity. With TA-3090-treated cells, elevated [Ca2+]i ensuing from prolonged incubations likely activated inappropriate reactions leading to cell lysis and death.     

Intracellular alkalinization augments capacitative Ca2+ entry in vascular smooth muscle cells

Agonist-induced Ca2+ influx of vascular smooth muscle cells is thought to be triggered by depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. This study investigated the effects of intracellular alkalinization on capacitative Ca2+ entry in A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Intracellular alkalinization was induced by NH(4)Cl. Transplasmalemmal Ca2+ influx due to Ca2+ store depletion induced by thapsigargin, which was abolished by pretreatment of the cells with SKF-96365 but not affected by that with verapamil, was significantly increased by pretreatment with NH(4)Cl. Neither 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced inositol monophosphate accumulation nor intracellular Ca2+ release from its stores was affected by NH(4)Cl. These results suggest that intracellular alkalinization acts on the process(es) after depletion of Ca2+ stores and facilitates capacitative Ca2+ entry in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Characterization of fMet-Leu-Phe receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane of human neutrophils

N-Formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) stimulation of human neutrophils leads to a rapid increase of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, which is significantly reduced by removal of extracellular calcium. In the present study we show that fMet-Leu-Phe-induced [Ca2+]i increases are, in part, mediated by an increase of the plasma membrane permeability to Ca2+. This conclusion is based on the following evidence. In the presence of extracellular calcium, addition of La3+ reduced the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced [Ca2+]i increase to approximately the same level as that observed in the absence of extracellular calcium. A net increase of the plasma membrane permeability for Mn2+ could be observed after fMet-Leu-Phe stimulation, as revealed by intracellular quenching of the quin2 signal. The influx of Mn2+, like that of Ca2+, was inhibited by La3+ and was more pronounced in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, suggesting competition for the same pathway. Temporal dissociation of intracellular Ca2+ release from stores and Ca2+ influx from the medium could be demonstrated by readdition of calcium to cells stimulated in the absence of this cation. This second [Ca2+]i increase could be abolished either by giving the specific chemotactic peptide receptor antagonist, BOC-Met-Leu-Phe, or Co2+. We could also show that the fMet-Leu-Phe-dependent Ca2+ influx was not due to the activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels since depolarization either by K+ or gramicidin D did not affect the resting [Ca2+]i, nor did it affect a subsequent [Ca2+]i increase induced by fMet-Leu-Phe. Furthermore, nifedipine and verapamil, at concentrations known to block classical voltage-dependent calcium channels, had no significant effects on the Ca2+ influx induced by fMet-Leu-Phe. We suggest that fMet-Leu-Phe promotes influx of Ca2+ ions across the plasma membrane of human neutrophils by opening of receptor-dependent calcium channels.     

Non-stimulated Ca2+ leak pathway in cerebellar granule neurones

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathways of calcium influx routes in non-stimulated cerebellar granule neurones by use of standard microspectrofluorimetric techniques. Repetitive application of Ca2+-free solutions for various time intervals induced decreases of resting cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) which were followed, on Ca2+ readmission, by a full recovery, always to the initial resting [Ca2+]i levels. Use of drugs to deplete calcium stores (thapsigargin, alone or combined with low levels of ionomycin) did not cause release of Ca2+ from the intracellular stores nor enhanced the activity of the Ca2+ entry pathway. This influx was mainly independent of voltage operated calcium channels, since both L-type channel blockers (nitrendipine) and the hyperpolarizing agent pinacidil (a K+-channel opener) were without effect. Contribution from glutamate receptors to this influx was eliminated since a combination of blockers of NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors (NBQX and D-AP5) did not affect the properties of the Ca2+ response. The Ca2+ leak pathway was sensitive to micromolar levels of lanthanum and gadolinium, and to the compound 2-APB, features shared by several channels of the TRP superfamily. In summary, our results show the presence of a Ca2+ permeable pathway, active and patent in resting conditions in cerebellar granule neurones, and which is different from the voltage-operated calcium channels and not operated by depletion of the stores.     

Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid induces calcium transients in cultured rhesus monkey kidney cells

The maintenance of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is critical to many cellular functions that rely on the calcium ion as a messenger. While attempting to characterize the effects of lead on intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in LLC-MK2 Rhesus Monkey kidney cells, we observed that treatment with the metal chelating drug, meso-2,3-dimer-captosuccinic acid (DMSA) evoked transient increases in [Ca2+]i. Changes in [Ca2+]i were monitored using the Ca2+ indicator dye Fura-2 and a dual wavelength fluorescence imaging system. In the presence of 2 mM extracellular Ca2+, DMSA treatment caused a concentration-dependent (15-500 microM) transient increase in [Ca2+]i returning to baseline levels within 30-60 s. Pharmacologic concentrations of DMSA (30 microM) stimulated a three-fold increase in [Ca2+]i, which was spatiotemporally comparable to Ca2+ transients induced by other calcium agonists. Depletion of inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive [Ca2+]i stores with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor thapsigargin did not prevent DMSA-elicited increases in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that Ca2+ mobilized by DMSA was either extracellular or from an non-IP3 releasable Ca2+ pool. Treatment with glutathione, cysteine, or 2-mercaptoethanol caused similar but not identical calcium transients. Adenosine-5'-trisphosphate (ATP) also elicited transient increases in [Ca2+]i similar to those of DMSA. No transient increases in [Ca2+]i were elicited by DMSA or ATP in the absence of extracellular calcium. These data indicate that DMSA and other sulfhydryl compounds trigger an influx of extracellular calcium, suggesting a previously unobserved and unanticipated interaction between DMSA and the Ca2+ messenger system.     

Oxidizing effects of vanadate on calcium mobilization and amylase release in rat pancreatic acinar cells.

The effects of vanadate were examined by monitoring intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and amylase secretion in collagenase-dispersed rat pancreatic acinar cells. Vanadate increased [Ca2+]i by mobilizing calcium from agonist-releasable intracellular calcium stores, since this increase was observed in the absence of extracellular calcium and vanadate failed to increase [Ca2+]i after treatment with thapsigargin in calcium-free medium. Moreover, pretreatment of acinar cells with vanadate prevented the cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)-induced signal of [Ca2+]i, whereas co-incubation with CCK-8 potentiated the plateau phase of calcium response to CCK-8 without modifying the transient calcium spike. The effects of vanadate on calcium mobilization were reversed by the presence of the sulfhydryl reducing agent dithiothreitol. Vanadate also activated the calcium influx, since an additional enhancement of calcium influx induced by thapsigargin-evoked intracellular store depletion was observed and vanadate reversed the inhibitory effect of lanthanum (an inhibitor of calcium entry) into acinar cells. In addition, vanadate evoked a concentration-dependent release of amylase from pancreatic acinar cells and moreover, reduced the secretory response to CCK-8. We conclude that, in pancreatic acinar cells, vanadate releases calcium from the agonist-releasable intracellular calcium pool and consequently induces amylase secretion. These effects are likely due to the oxidizing effects of this compound.     

Extracellular ATP increases [Ca2+]i in primarily cultured pig coronary smooth muscle cells via a P2Y purinoceptor subtype

In primarily cultured pig coronary smooth muscle cells, extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP; 10(-9) to 10(-3) M) dose-dependently increases intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). The [Ca2+]i transients measured by fura-2 fluorescence consist of peak and plateau phases with [Ca2+]i values of 191.84 +/- 5.67 nM (n = 10) and 91.67 +/- 1.89 nM, respectively. In Ca(2+)-free solution, the peak phases persisted, but there was a loss of the plateau response, indicating an initial ATP-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ release and a subsequent transarcolemmal Ca2+ entry. Various agonists have been used to characterize the P2 purinoceptor subtype involved in the ATP-induced Ca2+ transients. The rank order of potency was uridine triphosphate (UTP) > ATP > 2-meSATP > beta,gamma-meATP = alpha,beta-meATP = adenosine = 0. To examine the refilling of ATP-sensitive stores, four repetitive 60-s ATP responses were produced throughout with a 5-min recovery period in between. Now the ATP peaks gradually declined in Ca(2+)-free solution, indicating the emptying of the stores. If, however, Ca2+ entry was allowed in the "refilling period" (i.e., between the ATP pulses), the Ca2+ peaks could be maintained or restored, respectively. The data suggest that the ATP-dependent [Ca2+]i transients may be mediated via a UTP > ATP-activated P2Y purinoceptor subtype, mediating both an intracellular Ca2+ release and a transarcolemmal Ca2+ influx. The refilling of Ca2+ stores may occur through the unstimulated membrane after agonist stimulation. A putative pathway may be a "capacitative" Ca2+ entry induced on depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores.     

2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate perturbs hormone-sensitive calcium stores and blocks store-operated calcium influx pathways independent of cytoskeletal disruption in human A549 lung cancer cells

Recent studies have identified novel actions for 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) in triggering calcium release and enhancing calcium influx induced by the depletion of intracellular calcium stores. In this study, we have examined the effects of 2-APB on the human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line, which we have previously shown displays a unique calcium influx response, when ER calcium stores are depleted by thapsigargin (TG) treatment. Here, we show that low concentrations of 2-APB failed to induce the rapid augmentation of TG-activated calcium influx previously reported for other cell types. We observed that store-operated calcium (SOC) channels in the A549 cell line exhibited short-term sensitivity to low doses of 2-APB, perhaps reflecting a delayed augmentation of SOC channel activity or the recruitment of 2-APB-insensitive SOC channels. In both intact and permeabilized cells, 2-APB effectively discharged a subset of A549 calcium pools corresponding to the hormone-sensitive intracellular calcium stores. The 2-APB-induced calcium release produced a long-lasting perturbation of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-releasable calcium pools, effectively uncoupling ATP-activated calcium release even, when stores are replenished with calcium. In contrast to previous reports, we found that disruption of either the actin or microtubule-based cytoskeleton failed to block the 2-APB-induced effects on calcium signaling in A549 cells. Our study describes novel cytoskeletal-independent effects of 2-APB on Ca2+-signaling pathways, revealing differentially sensitive Ca2+-influx pathways and long-term perturbation of hormone-sensitive Ca2+ stores.     

The role of caffeine-sensitive calcium stores in the regulation of the intracellular free calcium concentration in rat sympathetic neurons in vitro

Intracellular Ca2+ stores were studied in sympathetic neurons grown in primary culture from the superior cervical ganglion of the rat. The [Ca2+]i was measured in single cells using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2 and a sensitive microfluorimeter. Superfusion of the cells with 10 mM caffeine elicited a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, indicating the presence of a caffeine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ storage site. After depletion of the store by mobilization of Ca2+ with caffeine, it could be refilled by elevating [Ca2+]i, allowing multiple caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i transients to be elicited from a single neuron. Ryanodine (1 microM), an alkaloid that promotes Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, was an effective inhibitor of the caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i transients in sympathetic neurons. Exposure to ryanodine in the presence of caffeine was required to produce a subsequent inhibition of the caffeine-induced response, suggesting a "use-dependent" inhibition that may result from depletion of the Ca2+ stores. In contrast, dantrolene Na (10 microM), an agent known to interfere with Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, also blocked the caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i transients, but in a time-dependent rather than a use-dependent manner. Electrophysiological measurements using the whole cell version of the patch-clamp technique were made simultaneously with [Ca2+]i microfluorimetric recordings. The magnitude of the [Ca2+]i transients elicited by step depolarizations closely paralleled the magnitude of Ca2+ influx via voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, regardless of whether the magnitude of the Ca2+ current was modified by varying the test pulse duration or potential. The relationship between the magnitude of Ca2+ influx and the resulting increase in [Ca2+]i saturated at large Ca2+ influxes resulting from long depolarizations, consistent with the activation of a large capacity, low affinity [Ca2+]i buffering mechanism. Caffeine (10 mM) and ryanodine (10 microM), applied singly or together, produced a small and variable decrease in the [Ca2+]i transient resulting from cell depolarization using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. We conclude that mammalian sympathetic neurons possess intracellular Ca2+ stores with pharmacological characteristics that closely resemble those found in muscle but that these are relatively small and produce little amplification of [Ca2+]i transients resulting from Ca2+ influx through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels.     

Different pathways for Ca2+ influx and intracellular release of Ca2+ mediated by muscarinic receptors in ileal longitudinal smooth muscle.

Muscarinic receptor-mediated elevations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum were studied by the use of fura-2 fluorescence. Dose-response analysis indicated a difference in the potencies of carbachol (CCh) to increase [Ca2+]i in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+. For the increase in [Ca2+]i due to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the ED50 value of CCh was 3 x 10(-5) M. On the other hand, in the presence of Ca2+, the ED50 value was 2.5 x 10(-7) M, indicating that a low concentration of CCh (less than 10(-7) M) caused influx of extracellular Ca2+ without Ca2+ release. Oxotremorine and pilocarpine induced Ca2+ influx, but were less potent inducers of Ca2+ release. CCh also stimulated the formation of inositol trisphosphates (IP3) with an ED50 value of (4.5 x 10(-5) M), which was similar to that for Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Treatment of the smooth muscle with neomycin (1 mM), a phospholipase C inhibitor, abolished both CCh-induced IP3 formation and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, but did not affect CCh-induced Ca2+ influx. These results suggest that the pathway for muscarinic stimulation of Ca2+ influx through plasma membranes is different from that for Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, which seems to be coupled with IP3 formation.