The effects of thapsigargin on [Ca2+]i in isolated rat mesenteric artery vascular smooth muscle cells

Summary The effects of thapsigargin were studied on single cells isolated from side branches of the rat mesenteric artery. Thapsigargin (150 nM) produced a transient increase of [Ca²⁺]_i. This transient rise of [Ca²⁺]_i was unaffected by removing external Ca²⁺ ions. This suggests that thapsigargin is releasing Ca²⁺ ions from an intracellular store. In the absence of thapsigargin both noradrenaline and caffeine also produced a transient increase of [Ca²⁺]_i. These increases were abolished by prior exposure to thapsigargin. Correspondingly, the effects of thapsigargin were abolished by prior exposure to caffeine. These results show that thapsigargin releases Ca²⁺ from the noradrenaline and caffeine-sensitive stores.     

Thapsigargin discharges intracellular calcium stores and induces transmembrane currents in human endothelial cells

We have measured the effects of thapsigargin, a specific inhibitor of endoplasmic Ca²⁺-adenosine 5-triphosphatase (Ca²⁺-ATPase), on membrane currents and on the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in single endothelial cells from the human umbilical cord vein. Currents were recorded by means of the patchclamp technique in the whole-cell mode and [Ca²⁺]_i was measured using Fura II. Application of thapsigargin at concentrations between 0.2 and 2 mol/l induced a slow increase in [Ca²⁺]_i to a peak value of 400±110 nmol/l above a resting level of 120±35 nmol/l, and then slowly declined to a new steady-state level of 315±90 nmol/l (n=33). The thapsigargin-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i depended on the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_o: it declined after removal of extracellular Ca²⁺, but increased again when [Ca²⁺]_o was augmented, indicating that the response depends on a transmembrane influx of Ca²⁺ ions. The peak amplitude of the histamine-induced Ca²⁺ transient was reduced in the presence of thapsigargin. This reduction was more pronounced when histamine was applied at the peak of the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by thapsigargin than during the rising phase of the changes in [Ca²⁺]_i. The decline of the Ca²⁺ transient induced by histamine after washing out the agonist was also affected by thapsigargin. Before application of thapsigargin, this decline could be described by a single exponential with a time constant equal to 24.5±5 s (n=7). In the presence of thapsigargin, the decline was much slower (n =8 cells), although in four cells a fraction of about 23% still exchanged with a similar fast value of 29.4±4 s. Thapsigargin also induced a slowly developing inward current in endothelial cells at a holding potential of –40 mV. Voltage ramps applied before and during the development of this current indicated that a non-selective cation channel with a reversal potential near 0 mV was activated. In contrast with the Ca²⁺ transients, these currents did not show a declining phase. These results indicate that inhibition of the endoplasmic Ca²⁺ pump in endothelial cells increases [Ca²⁺]_i. The tonic component of this increase might be partly due to opening of non-selective Ca²⁺-permeable cation channels activated by depletion of intracellular stores.     

Capacitative Ca2+ entry contributes to the Ca2+ influx induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in GH3 pituitary cells

Treatment of GH₃ cells with either hypothalamic peptide thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), the endomembrane Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin or the Ca²⁺ ionophore ionomycin mobilized, with different kinetics, essentially all of the Ca²⁺ pool from the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores. Any of the above-described treatments induced a sustained increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i), which was dependent on extracellular Ca²⁺ and was prevented by Ni²⁺ but not by dihydropyridines (DHPs), suggesting that it was due to capacitative Ca²⁺ entry via activation of a plasma membrane pathway which opened upon the emptying of the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores. The increase of the plasma membrane permeability to Ca²⁺ correlated negatively with the filling degree of the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores and was reversed by refilling of the stores. The mechanism of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry into GH₃ cells differed from similar mechanisms described in several types of blood cells in that the pathway was poorly permeable to Mn²⁺ and not sensitive to cytochrome P₄₅₀ inhibitors. In GH₃ cells, TRH induced a transient [Ca²⁺]_i increase due to Ca²⁺ release from the stores (phase 1) followed by a sustained [Ca²⁺]_i increase due to Ca²⁺ entry (phase 2). At the single-cell level, phase 2 was composed of a DHP-insensitive sustained [Ca²⁺]_i increase, due to activation of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry, superimposed upon which DHP-sensitive [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations took place. The two components of the TRH-induced Ca²⁺ entry differed also in that [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations remained for several minutes after TRH removal, whereas the sustained [Ca²⁺]_i increase dropped quickly to prestimulatory levels, following the same time course as the refilling of the stores. The drop was prevented when the refilling was inhibited by thapsigargin. It is concluded that, even though the mechanisms of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry may show differences from cell to cell, it is also present and may contribute to the regulation of physiological functions in excitable cells such as GH₃. There, capacitative Ca²⁺ entry cooperates with voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels to generate the [Ca²⁺]_i increase seen during phase 2 of TRH action. This contribution of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry may be relevant to the enhancement of prolactin secretion induced by TRH.     

Dynamics of Ca2+ i and pHi in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells after Ca2+-mobilizing agonists or exposure to hypertonic solution

 Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and intracellular pH (pH_i) were monitored in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells using Fura-2 or 2′,7′,-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), or both probes in combination. An increase in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by thrombin or bradykinin, agonists known to elicit transient cell shrinkage in these cells, evoked a transient intracellular acidification, followed by an alkalinization. The latter was due to activation of a Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger and was inhibited under conditions preventing agonist-induced cell shrinkage without preventing the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. In contrast, a smaller, slower increase in [Ca²⁺]_i elicited by thapsigargin did not cause cell shrinkage, and did not activate the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger. Exposure to hypertonic solution was not associated with an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, but elicited an intracellular alkalinization similar to that induced by thrombin or bradykinin, via activation of the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger. Thus, activation of the exchanger by the Ca²⁺-mobilizing agonists is suggested to be secondary to the cell shrinkage induced by these compounds. NH₄Cl-induced intracellular alkalinization resulted in an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, apparently via stimulation of Ca²⁺ influx, whereas shrinkage-induced intracellular alkalinization did not stimulate Ca²⁺ influx. Thus, cell shrinkage appears to inhibit the Ca²⁺ influx otherwise resulting from alkalosis. In agreement with that notion, thapsigargin-induced Ca²⁺ influx was inhibited by cell shrinkage. Received: 6 January 1998 / Received after revision: 10 March 1998 / Accepted: 11 March 1998     

Caffeine-induced oscillations of cytosolic Ca2+ in GH3 pituitary cells are not due to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores but to enhanced Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels

Caffeine, a well known facilitator of Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release, induced oscillations of cytosolic free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) in GH₃ pituitary cells. These oscillations were dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺ and blocked by dihydropyridines, suggesting that they are due to Ca²⁺ entry through L-type Ca²⁺ channels, rather than to Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores. Emptying the stores by treatment with ionomycin or thapsigargin did not prevent the caffeine-induced [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations. Treatment with caffeine occluded phase 2 ([Ca²⁺]_i oscillations) of the action of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) without modifying phase 1 (Ca²⁺ release from the intracellular stores). Caffeine also inhibited the [Ca²⁺]_i increase induced by depolarization with high-K⁺ solutions (56% at 20 mM), suggesting direct inhibition of the Ca²⁺ entry through voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels. We propose that the [Ca²⁺]_i increase induced by caffeine in GH₃ cells takes place by a mechanism similar to that of TRH, i.e. membrane depolarization that increases the firing frequency of action potentials. The increase of the electrical activity overcomes the direct inhibitory effect on voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels with the result of increased Ca²⁺ entry and a rise in [Ca²⁺]_i. Consideration of this action cautions interpretation of previous experiments in which caffeine was assumed to increase [Ca²⁺]_i only by facilitating the release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular Ca²⁺ stores.     

The pathway for refilling intracellular Ca2+ stores passes through the cytosol in human leukaemia cells

The pathway for refilling the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores of HL60 and U937 human leukaemia cells loaded with fura-2 has been investigated. On addition of external Ca²⁺ to cells with empty stores there was an increase in the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) which preceded the refilling of the stores. The increase in [Ca²⁺]_i was faster than the refilling, by 3-to 15-fold, depending on the cell type. In measurements in single HL60 cells we found that the refilling of the stores correlated with the extent of the [Ca²⁺]_i increase on addition of external Ca²⁺. The cells showing no [Ca²⁺]_i increase were unable to refill their stores. The addition of Ni²⁺ to the extracellular medium prevented both the [Ca²⁺]_i increase and the refilling of the stores. These results indicate that the limiting step for store refilling is the entry of Ca²⁺ from the extracellular medium to the cytosol. Hence, we conclude that extracellular Ca²⁺ cannot gain access directly to the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores in these cells, but must first enter the cytosol and be taken up from there into the stores.     

噻庚啶和山莨菪碱拮抗TNFα诱导的内皮细胞[Ca2+]i增高

目的：研究噻庚啶（Cyp）和山莨菪碱（Ani）对肿瘤坏死因子（TNFα）诱导单个内皮细胞内Ca²⁺浓度（[Ca²⁺]_i）变化的影响，以探TNFα介导休克和Cyp、Ani的抗休克的机制。方法：人脐静脉内皮细胞株（ECV304）接种于35 mm含2 mL DMEM培养基的组织培养盘中培养。Fluo-3/AM负载细胞，激光扫描共聚焦显微技术（LSCM）测定单个内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i。结果：TNFα使单个内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i呈剂量依赖性升高，在60 s内达到峰值，然后下降并保持在基础水平之上。共聚焦扫描图像显示细胞核区[Ca²⁺]_i升高比胞浆区明显，下降比胞浆区慢。Cyp（3×10^-5 mol/L或6×10^-5 mol/L）、Ani（2×10^-5 mol/L或4×10^-5 mol/L）均能显著抑制由TNFα（1.2×10^-9 mol/L）诱导的单个内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i升高。结论：TNFα诱导内皮细胞[Ca²⁺]_i升高可能是TNFα介导休克的重要机制；Cyp和Ani抑制TNFα诱导的[Ca²⁺]_i升高可能是其抗休克作用的机制之一。     

The intracellular Ca2+ concentration optimal for T cell activation is quite different after ionomycin or CD3 stimulation

The relationship between the initial increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) (measured at the single-cell level with an imaging system) and the ensuing proliferation was examined in a human T cell clone stimulated by a phorbol ester in combination with ionomycin, thapsigargin or an anti-CD3 mAb (monoclonal antibody against the CD3 molecule, UCHT1). From the responses to various ionomycin concentrations, one can define a range of [Ca²⁺]_i values (400–900 nM) which appears optimal for T cell proliferation; lower [Ca²⁺]_i values are suboptimal, higher values are cytotoxic. It was then examined if the [Ca²⁺]_i requirements were similar following anti-CD3 stimulation. [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations elicited by a concentration of UCHT1 (1/1,000) optimal for mitogenicity fall precisely within the 400–900 nM range. However, very low concentrations of UCHT1 (1/100,000) which evoke barely detectable [Ca²⁺]_i responses still cause the cells to proliferate. The possibility that the lower [Ca²⁺]_i requirements observed following anti-CD3 stimulation was due to [Ca²⁺]_i oscillations was tested under conditions which prevented the appearance of these oscillations. It turns out that an oscillatory Ca²⁺signal is not more mitogenic than a sustained augmentation of [Ca²⁺]_i. Finally, it was examined if overstimulation via CD3 could have toxic consequences similar to those elicited after ionomycin overstimulation. Large transient [Ca²⁺]_i responses can be observed following anti-CD3 stimulation in appropriate conditions, and namely in T cells pretreated with interleukin-2. These [Ca²⁺]_i augmentations are not cytotoxic. A role for the plasmalemmal Ca²⁺ pump in the prevention of cytotoxicity can be demonstrated. In conclusion, the correspondence between the [Ca²⁺]_i response and cell proliferation is entirely different following stimulation by ionomycin and by anti-CD3. In addition, cell proliferation evoked by very low UCHT1 concentration might reveal the existence of a yet unidentified activation pathway.     

Endothelin-B receptor-mediated Ca2+ signaling in human melanocytes

 The mechanism of an endothelin-1- (ET-1-) induced intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) increase and the receptor subtype(s) responsible for this effect in single human melanocytes were studied using fura-2/AM. ET-1 induced a transient increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in a concentration-dependent manner. The transient [Ca²⁺]_i increase was followed by a sustained plateau level of [Ca²⁺]_i which was higher than the initial [Ca²⁺]_i level. IRL-1620, a specific ET-B receptor agonist, increased [Ca²⁺]_i in a dose-dependent manner. BQ-788, a specific ET-B receptor antagonist, abolished the ET-1-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase, but BQ-123, a specific ET-A receptor antagonist, failed to prevent it. U73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C (PLC), inhibited the ET-1-induced [Ca²⁺]_i rise in a dose-dependent manner. Prior depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores with thapsigargin, an inhibitor of Ca²⁺-ATPase of the endoplasmic reticulum, abolished the ET-1-induced Ca²⁺ transient, whereas removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ with EGTA eliminated the sustained rise. These results suggest that in cultured human melanocytes the binding of ET-1 to ET-B receptors and the subsequent activation of PLC mediate ET-1-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase. The transient [Ca²⁺]_i increase is attributed to mobilization of Ca²⁺ from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, and the sustained [Ca²⁺]_i level may be related to the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺. Received: 21 July 1997 / Received after revision and accepted: 16 September 1997     

Activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor mobilizes calcium from caffeine-insensitive stores in C2C12 mouse myotubes

In cultured mouse C2C12 myotubes, digital Ca²⁺ imaging fluorescence microscopy using the acetoxymethyl ester of Fura-2, Fura-2-AM, showed that, in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, acetylcholine (ACh) and nicotine, but not muscarine, raised the intracellular concentration of Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) by about tenfold. AChinduced Ca²⁺ mobilization was prevented by thapsigargin, a drug known to deplete inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP₃)-sensitive stores, and was concomitant with InsP₃ accumulation. Caffeine, which releases Ca²⁺ from the ryanodine-sensitive stores of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, did not interfere with the ACh-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase. Ca²⁺ mobilization was also inhibited when myotubes were depolarized by high K⁺, or when extracellular Na⁺ was omitted. Nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) stimulation lowered intracellular pH with a time course slower than the [Ca²⁺]_i increase. Possible mechanisms linking the current flowing through the nAChR pore to [Ca²⁺]_i increase are discussed.     

Subcellular gradients of intracellular free calcium concentration in isolated lacrimal acinar cells

The spatial distribution of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was measured in small clusters of isolated rat lacrimal acinar cells by imaging the fluorescence of the Ca²⁺-sensitive dye fura-2. In the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, stimulation with acetylcholine (ACh) caused an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, due to release of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, which was maximal at the luminal pole of the cell. In contrast, the organellar Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-hydroquinone caused an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, which was most marked in the basolateral region of the cell. When the cells were stimulated with ACh in a medium containing Ca²⁺, the gradients of [Ca²⁺]_i (with [Ca²⁺]_i most elevated at the luminal pole) were maintained for the duration of agonist stimulation. The possible implications of these results concerning the location and identity of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, and the location of the sites that underlie agonist-stimulated Ca²⁺ influx, are considered. In particular, it seems likely that intracellular inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP₃) binding sites may be concentrated in the luminal region of the cell. It is not clear, however, whether this implies that there is a distinct luminally located InsP ₃-sensitive organelle.     

Carboxyeosin decreases the rate of decay of the [Ca2+]i transient in uterine smooth muscle cells isolated from pregnant rats

 In myometrial smooth muscle cells the rate of decline of intracellular calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) is determined by Ca²⁺ extrusion from the cell and uptake into intracellular stores. The relative quantitative contribution of these processes however, has not been established. We therefore examined the effect of the sarcolemmal Ca²⁺ pump inhibitor, carboxyeosin, on the rate of the [Ca²⁺]_i transient decline in myocytes isolated from pregnant rat uterus. Indo-1 was used in conjunction with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to measure [Ca²⁺]_i simultaneously with transmembrane calcium current (I _Ca). [Ca²⁺]_i transients were elicited by repetitive membrane depolarization to simulate the natural pattern of uterine electrical activity. The rate of [Ca²⁺]_i removal was calculated from the falling phase of the [Ca²⁺]_i transient. Pre-treatment of the cells with 2 μM carboxyeosin led to a marked decrease in the rate of [Ca²⁺]_i transient decay, suggesting that the sarcolemmal Ca²⁺ pump is involved in the calcium extrusion process. Removal of the extracellular Na also decreased the rate of [Ca²⁺]_i decay, indicating an important role for the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange. When both the sarcolemmal Ca²⁺ pump and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange were inhibited the cell failed to restore [Ca²⁺]_i after the stimulation. Comparison of the rate constants of [Ca²⁺]_i decay in control conditions and after carboxyeosin treatment shows that approximately 30% of [Ca²⁺]_i decay is due to the sarcolemmal calcium pump activity. The remaining 70% can be attributed to the activity of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger and the intracellular calcium stores. Received: 17 July 1998 / Received after revision: 23 September 1998 / Accepted: 25 September 1998     

Different Reactions of Aortic and Venular Endothelial Cell Monolayers to Histamine on Macromolecular Permeability: Role of cAMP, Cytosolic Ca2+ and F-actin

Endothelial cells assume a central role in the one process that the permeation of microvessels is accelerated in case of inflammation. We studied the effect of histamine on endothelial permeability, [Ca²⁺]_i, cAMP and F-actin, using same origin aortic and venular cultured endothelial monolayers. When HUVEC were treated with histamine (10^–7–10^–5 M), permeability of FITC-dextran (molecular weight 70,000) and [Ca²⁺]_i were increased, while cAMP content was unchanged, and F-actin content was reduced. When bovine vein-derived endothelial cells were treated with histamine, [Ca²⁺]_i was increased via H1 receptors, but permeability and F-actin content were not altered. When human aorta-derived endothelial cells were, [Ca²⁺]_i was increased via H1 receptors and cAMP content was increased via H2 receptors, while permeability and F-actin content were not changed. When bovine aorta-derived endothelial cells were, cAMP and F-actin content were increased, while permeability was reduced. These findings suggest that endothelial cells derived from different tissues clearly showed the different reactions to histamine, the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i led to the increase in endothelial permeability, while the increase in cAMP levels led to the reduction in permeability, and finally, F-actin regulated endothelial macromolecular permeability.     

Involvement of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release in the biphasic Ca2+ response evoked by readdition of Ca2+ to the medium after UTP-induced store depletion in A431 cells

 We have recently shown that the Ca²⁺ response in endothelial cells evoked by readdition of Ca²⁺ to the medium after store depletion caused by a submaximal concentration of agonist can involve Ca²⁺ release from Ca²⁺ stores sensitive to both inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and ryanodine. The present experiments were performed to determine whether this mechanism might also exist in other types of cell. For this purpose, we used the human carcinoma cell line A431, which has a varied resting [Ca²⁺]_i. We found that the amplitude of the Ca²⁺ response evoked by Ca²⁺ readdition did not correlate with the amplitude of the preceding UTP-evoked Ca²⁺ release, but did positively correlate with the initial [Ca²⁺]_i. An inspection of the two patterns of response seen in this study (the large biphasic and small plateau-shaped Ca²⁺ responses) revealed that there is an accelerating rise in [Ca²⁺]_i during the biphasic response. Application of ryanodine during the plateau-shaped Ca²⁺ response reversibly transformed it into the biphasic type. Unlike ryanodine, caffeine did not itself evoke Ca²⁺ release, but it caused a further [Ca²⁺]_i rise when [Ca²⁺]_i had already been elevated by thapsigargin. These data suggest that in A431 cells, as in endothelial cells, the readdition of Ca²⁺ after agonist-evoked store depletion can evoke Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release. This indicates that Ca²⁺ entry may be overestimated by this widely used protocol. Received: 28 July 1997 / Received after revision: 25 November 1997 / Accepted: 26 November 1997     

Evidence for the existence of inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate- and ryanodine-sensitive pools in bovine endothelial cells. Ca2+ releases in cells with different basal level of intracellular Ca2+

In single bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells pre-loaded with Fura-2, Ca²⁺ transients in a Ca²⁺-free medium have been revealed, which evidently reflects Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores. In cells with different levels of resting basal cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) from about 50 to 110 nM, a biphasic dependence of the Ca²⁺ transients on resting [Ca²⁺]_i was shown and spontaneous Ca²⁺ oscillations were observed. At a [Ca²⁺]_i level over 110 nM, a pronounced rise in Ca²⁺ transients occurred and only single transients were observed. Ryanodine (10 μM) produced a transient [Ca²⁺]_i elevation, suggesting the presence of ryanodine receptors in intracellular store membranes. The results imply that both inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca²⁺ release (IICR) and Ca²⁺-sensitive Ca²⁺ release (CICR) take place in BAE cells. Only IICR seems to be sufficient for generating baseline Ca²⁺ oscillations in BAE cells, whereas the ATP-induced (5–100 μM) Ca²⁺ response involves the CICR set in motion by an oscillatory IICR of high frequency. The completion of both the spontaneous and ATP-induced Ca²⁺ transients was associated with a [Ca²⁺]_i decrease to a level below the initial resting [Ca²⁺]_i (undershoot). Its depth biphasically depended on the resting [Ca²⁺]_i from 50 to 110 nM, suggesting that the lack of a Ca²⁺ leak from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive stores is responsible for the undershoot in this range. The Ca²⁺ leak is concluded to play a key role in the initiation and termination of regenerative IICR both in spontaneous oscillations and in ATP-induced transients. Received: 13 November 1995/Received after revision and accepted 27 March 1996     

A hypo-osmotically induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ in lactating mouse mammary epithelial cells involving Ca2+ influx

 Using a fluorescent Ca²⁺-sensitive dye, we studied the effect of hypo-osmotic stress on the intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in acini freshly isolated from lactating mouse mammary gland. The basal [Ca²⁺]_i of mammary acini was unaffected by a 50% (v/v) dilution of suspensions with isotonic or hypertonic buffer, or after ionic (iso-osmotic) dilution (external Ca²⁺ was 3 mM). Hypo-osmotic dilution (50%) elicited a rapid increase in [Ca²⁺]_i comprising a large, transient elevation, followed by a maintained plateau phase. No hypo-osmotically induced rise in [Ca²⁺]_i was observed in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Neither microtubule disassembly using nocodazole nor actin disruption with cytochalasin D prevented hypo-osmotically evoked stimulation of [Ca²⁺]_i. Pre-incubation of acini with nifedipine did not prevent hypo-osmotically induced stimulation of [Ca²⁺]_i, whereas a non-specific cation channel blocker, gadolinium, partially inhibited the increases in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by hypo-osmotic stress. Furthermore, the transient component was still apparent, and not diminished in magnitude, after [Ca²⁺]_i had been elevated by mobilisation of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores using thapsigargin. The results demonstrate that hypo-osmotic stress generates an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in lactating mammary epithelial cells, the major, transient component of which appears to be due to influx of extracellular Ca²⁺. Received: 15 October 1996 / Received after revision and accepted: 1 November 1996     

Calcium influx into endothelial cells and formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor is controlled by the membrane potential

We studied the role of the membrane potential in the control of the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and release of the two autacoids endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF = nitric oxide) and prostaglandin I₂ in endothelial cells. ATP (3 mol/l) and bradykinin (1 nmol/l) evoked rapid increases (sixfold) in [Ca²⁺]_i in cultured endothelial cells. [Ca²⁺]_i remained elevated over several minutes. When the cells were depolarized, either by K⁺ (70–90 mmol/l) or by preincubation with the blocker of K⁺ channels tetraethylammonium (3 mmol/l), the initial peak of [Ca²⁺]_i remained unaffected but [Ca²⁺]_i returned significantly faster to resting levels, indicating a reduction in Ca²⁺ influx. In native, freshly isolated endothelial cells, K⁺ abolished increases in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by acetylcholine (3 mol/l). Release of EDRF in response to bradykinin (cultured cells) and acetylcholine (native cells) was inhibited by K⁺ (by 70%), whereas release of prostaglandin I₂ was not significantly reduced. Preincubation of cultured endothelial cells with the receptor-independent stimulus thimerosal (5 mol/l, 40 min) evoked a long-lasting release of EDRF and small elevations of [Ca²⁺]_i (twofold) after washout of the drug. Depolarization with K⁺ decreased thimerosal-induced EDRF release and [Ca²⁺]_i in a reversible manner. In patch-clamped endothelial cells, bradykinin (1 nmol/l) induced transient hyperpolarizations that were significantly prolonged by BRL 34915 (1 mol/l), an activator of K⁺ channels. BRL 34915 also elicited increases in [Ca²⁺]_i, particularly in thimerosal-stimulated endothelial cells. These effects were abolished by K⁺. We conclude that the initial rise in [Ca²⁺]_i in response to receptor-binding agonists, caused by mobilization of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores, activates K⁺ channels, thereby inducing hyperpolarization. This hyperpolarization provides the driving force for transmembrane Ca²⁺ influx into endothelial cells and is thus an important signal for synthesis and release of EDRF.     

Secretagogue effects on intracellular calcium in pancreatic duct cells

Regulation of intracellular free calcium ([Ca²⁺]_i) in single epithelial duct cells of isolated rat and guinea pig pancreatic interlobular ducts by secretin, carbachol and cholecystokinin was studied by microspectrofluorometry using the Ca²⁺-sensitive, fluorescent probe Fura-2. Rat and guinea pig duct cells exhibited mean resting [Ca²⁺]_i of 84 nM and 61 nM, respectively, which increased by 50%–100% in response to carbachol stimulation, thus demonstrating the presence of physiologically responsive cholinergic receptors in pancreatic ducts of both species. The carbachol-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i involved both mobilization of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores and stimulation of influx of extracellular Ca²⁺. In contrast, neither cholecystokinin nor secretin showed reproducible or sizeable increses in [Ca²⁺]_i. Both rat and guinea pig duct cells showed considerable resting Ca²⁺ permeability. Lowering or raising the extracellular [Ca²⁺]_i led, respectively, to a decrease or increase in the resting [Ca²⁺]_i. Application of Mn²⁺ resulted in a quenching of the fluorescence signal indicating its entry into the cell. The resting Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ permeability could be blocked by La³⁺ suggesting that it is mediated by a Ca²⁺ channel.     

Ca2+-transients induced by K+ channel openers in isolated coronary capillaries

 To study the role of endothelial ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels in the regulation of vascular tone we examined the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in coronary capillaries consisting only of endothelial cells. Coronary capillary fragments were isolated enzymatically from the guinea-pig heart and [Ca²⁺]_i was determined by microfluorometry of fura-2 loaded cells. Low concentrations of the K⁺ channel opener diazoxide, which caused pronounced glibenclamide-sensitive hyperpolarization in capillaries, induced a rapid, transient rise in [Ca²⁺]_i followed by a sustained elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i (19 of 40 experiments). [Ca²⁺]_i in the endothelial cells increased from 32 ± 7 nM at rest to 66 ± 11 nM at the peak (n = 19). One third of the [Ca²⁺]_i-transients showed irregular oscillations of [Ca²⁺]_i. No significant difference in the [Ca²⁺]_i-response induced by 100 nM or 1 μM diazoxide was found. Similar results were obtained with the K⁺ channel opener rilmakalim. Simultaneous measurements of the membrane potential and [Ca²⁺]_i with fluorometric methods indicated that the hyperpolarization but not the [Ca²⁺]_i-transient could be repeatedly induced in a single capillary by the K⁺ channel openers. Electrophysiological recordings of the membrane potential using the ”perforated patch” method (n = 4), showed that rilmakalim (1 μM) induced hyperpolarization of capillaries towards the K⁺ equilibrium potential, confirming our fluorometric measurements. In conclusion, for the first time, these data indicate that K⁺ channel openers induce [Ca²⁺]_i-transients in microvascular endothelial cells. This raises the possibility that these drugs not only act as synthetic vasoactive factors via hyperpolarizing smooth muscle cells but also via NO release of microvascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, only 100 nM diazoxide was sufficient for a maximal response, suggesting the expression of a new type of K_ATP-channel in coronary capillaries characterised by high sensitivity to diazoxide. Received: 22 August 1997 / Received after revision and accepted: 7 November 1997     

Voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx in the epithelial cell line HT29: simultaneous use of intracellular Ca2+ measurements and nystatin perforated patch-clamp technique

Indirect evidence has accumulated indicating a voltage dependence of the agonist-stimulated Ca²⁺ influx into epithelial cells. Manoeuvres expected to depolarise the membrane voltage during agonist stimulation resulted in: (1) a decrease of the sustained phase of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 10^–5 mol/l)-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ transient, (2) a reduced fura-2 Mn²⁺-quenching rate, and (3) prevention of the refilling of the agonist-sensitive store. To quantify the change in intracellular Ca²⁺ as a function of membrane voltage, we measured simultaneously the intracellular Ca²⁺ activity ([Ca²⁺]_i) with fura-2 and the electrical properties using the nystatin perforated patch-clamp technique in single HT₂₉ cells. Ca²⁺ influx was either stimulated by ATP (10^–5 mol/l) or thapsigargin (TG, 10^–8 mol/l). After [Ca²⁺]_i reached the sustained plateau phase we clamped the membrane voltage in steps of 10 mV in either direction. A stepwise depolarisation resulted in a stepwise reduction of [Ca²⁺]_i. Similarly a stepwise hyperpolarisation resulted in a stepwise increase of [Ca²⁺]_i (ATP: 27.5±10 nmol/l per 10 mV, n=6; TG: 19 ±7.9 nmol/l per 10 mV, n=12). The summarised data show a linear relationship between the fluorescence ratio 340/380 nm change and the applied holding voltage. In unstimulated cells the same voltage-clamp protocol did not change [Ca²⁺]_i (n=9). Under extracellular Ca²⁺-free conditions [Ca²⁺]_i remained unaltered when changing the membrane voltage. These data provide direct evidence that the Ca²⁺ influx in epithelial cells is membrane voltage dependent. Our data indicate that small changes in membrane voltage lead to substantial changes in [Ca²⁺]_i. This may be due either to a change of driving force for Ca²⁺ into the cell, or may reflect voltage-dependent regulation of the respective Ca²⁺ entry mechanism.