Smooth muscle gap-junctions allow propagation of intercellular Ca²⁺ waves and vasoconstriction due to Ca²⁺ based action potentials in rat mesenteric resistance arteries.

ABSTRACT: The role of vascular gap junctions in the conduction of intercellular Ca²⁺ and vasoconstriction along small resistance arteries is not entirely understood. Some depolarizing agents trigger conducted vasoconstriction while others only evoke a local depolarization. Here we use a novel technique to investigate the temporal and spatial relationship between intercellular Ca²⁺ signals generated by smooth muscle action potentials (APs) and vasoconstriction in mesenteric resistance arteries (MA). Pulses of exogenous KCl to depolarize the downstream end (T1) of a 3 mm long artery increased intracellular Ca²⁺ associated with vasoconstriction. The spatial spread and amplitude of both depended on the duration of the pulse, with only a restricted non-conducting vasocons

SUBMITTER: Borysova L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6169741 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature