Stimulation of ATP secretion in the liver by therapeutic bile acids.

ATP receptors are ubiquitously expressed and are potential targets for the therapy of a number of disorders. However, delivery of ATP or other nucleotides to specific tissues is problematic, and no pharmacological means to stimulate the release of endogenous ATP has been described. We examined the effects of the bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on ATP release into bile, since this bile acid is the only agent known to be of therapeutic benefit in secretory disorders of the liver, and since its mechanism of action is not established. Both UDCA and its taurine conjugate stimulated secretion of ATP by isolated rat hepatocytes, and produced measurable increases in ATP in bile of isolated rat liver. Perfusion of ATP into microdissected bile-duct segments induced Ca(2+) signalling in bile-duct epithelia, while perfusion of bile acid did not. Thus UDCA may promote bile flow by inducing hepatocytes to release ATP into bile, which then stimulates fluid and electrolyte secretion by bile-duct epithelia downstream via changes in cytosolic Ca(2+). Moreover, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of using pharmacological means to induce secretion of endogenous ATP. Since the liver and other epithelial organs express luminal ATP receptors, these findings more generally suggest that a mechanism exists for pharmacological activation of this paracrine signalling pathway. This strategy may be useful for treatment of cystic fibrosis and other secretory disorders of the liver and other epithelial tissues.

Primitive organization of cytosolic Ca(2+) signals in hepatocytes from the little skate Raja erinacea.

Cytosolic Ca(2+) (Ca(i)(2+)) signals begin as polarized, inositol 1, 4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-mediated Ca(i)(2+) waves in mammalian epithelia, and this signaling pattern directs secretion together with other cell functions. To investigate whether Ca(i)(2+) signaling is similarly organized in elasmobranch epithelia, we examined Ca(i)(2+) signaling patterns and InsP3 receptor (InsP3R) expression in hepatocytes isolated from the little skate, Raja erinacea. Ca(i)(2+) signaling was examined by confocal microscopy, InsP3R expression by immunoblot, and the subcellular distribution of InsP3Rs by immunochemistry. ATP induced a rapid increase in Ca(i)(2+) in skate hepatocytes, as it does in mammalian hepatocytes. Unlike in mammalian hepatocytes, however, the Ca(i)(2+) increase in skate hepatocytes began randomly throughout the cell rather than in the apical region. In cells loaded with heparin ATP-induced Ca(i)(2+) signals were inhibited, but de-N-sulfated heparin was not inhibitory, suggesting that the increases in Ca(i)(2+) were mediated by InsP3. Immunoblot analysis showed that the type I but not the types II or III InsP3R was expressed in skate liver. Confocal immunofluorescence revealed that the InsP3R was distributed throughout the hepatocyte, rather than concentrated apically as in mammalian epithelia. These findings demonstrate that ATP-induced Ca(i)(2+) signals are mediated by InsP3 in skate hepatocytes, as they are in mammalian hepatocytes. However, in skate hepatocytes Ca(i)(2+) signals begin at loci throughout the cell rather than as an organized apical-to-basal Ca(i)(2+) wave, which is probably because the InsP3R is distributed throughout these cells. This primitive organization of Ca(i)(2+) signaling may in part explain the observation that Ca(2+)-mediated events such as secretion occur much less efficiently in elasmobranchs than in mammals.

Relationship between inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor isoforms and subcellular Ca2+ signaling patterns in nonpigmented ciliary epithelia.

PURPOSE: Subcellular Ca2+ signaling patterns, such as Ca2+ waves, gradients, and oscillations, are an important aspect of cell regulation, but the molecular basis for these signaling patterns is not understood. Because Ca2+ release patterns differ among isoforms of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor, the relationship between the distribution of these isoforms and subcellular Ca2+ signaling patterns in nonpigmented epithelial (NPE) cells was investigated. METHODS: The distributions of the types I, II, and III InsP3 receptors were determined in NPE cells by immunofluorescence, and subcellular Ca2+ signaling patterns in these cells were examined by confocal line scanning microscopy. RESULTS: The type I InsP3 receptor was concentrated at the basal pole of NPE cells, whereas the type III receptor was localized to the apical pole. The type II InsP3 receptor was not expressed in detectable amounts. Acetylcholine induced increases in Ca2+ that were mediated by InsP3, and these Ca2+ increases began as Ca2+ waves that were initiated at the apical pole, in the region of the type III InsP3 receptor. Acetylcholine occasionally induced sustained or repetitive Ca2+ increases that were prominent at the basal pole, in the region of the type I InsP3 receptor, but only subtle or absent apically. CONCLUSIONS: Because the type I InsP3 receptor is thought to be responsible for repetitive Ca2+ release events, and the type III InsP3 receptor instead is suited to initiate Ca2+ signals, the subcellular distribution of these two isoforms corresponds to the Ca2+ signaling patterns observed in this cell type. Differential subcellular expression of InsP3 receptor isoforms may be an important molecular mechanism by which NPE cells organize their Ca2+ signals in space and time.

Short-term regulation of bile acid uptake by microfilament-dependent translocation of rat ntcp to the plasma membrane.

The Na+-taurocholate cotransport polypeptide (ntcp) is the primary transporter for the uptake of bile acids in the liver. The second messenger adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) rapidly increases ntcp protein concentration in the plasma membrane, yet the mechanism is unknown. To investigate this, HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with a carboxy-terminal-tagged green fluorescence protein (GFP) conjugate of ntcp, and then examined by confocal video microscopy. Transporter activity was directly assayed with 3H-taurocholic acid (TC) scintigraphy. ntcp-GFP targeted to the plasma membrane in transfected cells, and the conjugate protein transported 3H-TC as effectively as unmodified rat ntcp. Stimulation of ntcp-GFP cells with cAMP increased GFP fluorescence in the plasma membrane by 40% (P <.0001) within 2.5 minutes and by 55% within 10 minutes. Similarly, cAMP increased transport of bile acids by 30%. Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of microfilaments, did not prevent ntcp-GFP from targeting to the plasma membrane, but completely abolished the increase in GFP fluorescence seen in response to cAMP. In contrast, the microtubule inhibitor, nocodazole, prevented development of membrane fluorescence in 48 (96%) of 50 cells. Cells regained plasma membrane fluorescence within 2 hours after nocodazole removal. These findings suggest that targeting of ntcp to the plasma membrane consists of 2 steps: 1) delivery of ntcp to the region of the plasma membrane via microtubules; and 2) insertion of ntcp into the plasma membrane, in a microfilament- and cAMP-sensitive fashion.

Communication via gap junctions modulates bile secretion in the isolated perfused rat liver.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Bile secretion is regulated in part by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+i). Hormone receptors that link to these second messengers are not uniformly distributed across the hepatic lobule, but both cAMP and Ca2+i cross gap junctions, so we tested whether gap junctional communication plays a role in changes in bile flow induced by the activation of these receptors. METHODS: cAMP levels in isolated perfused rat livers were increased by using glucagon, because glucagon receptors are predominantly on pericentral hepatocytes, or by using dibutyryl cAMP, which acts on hepatocytes throughout the hepatic lobule. Ca2+i concentration was increased by using vasopressin, because V1a receptors are most heavily expressed on pericentral hepatocytes, or by using 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-1, 4-benzo-hydroquinone (t-BuBHQ), which increases the Ca2+i concentration in hepatocytes throughout the hepatic lobule. We used 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (alphaGA) to block gap junction conductance, which was assessed by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. RESULTS: alphaGA blocked fluorescence recovery after photobleaching without altering the basal rate of bile flow. Glucagon and dibutyryl cAMP increased bile flow; alphaGA blocked the glucagon-induced increase but not that induced by dibutyryl cAMP. Vasopressin and t-BuBHQ decreased bile flow; alphaGA exacerbated the decrease induced by vasopressin but not by t-BuBHQ. CONCLUSIONS: Glucagon and vasopressin modulate bile flow in a manner that depends in part on gap junctional communication, even though the two hormones activate second messengers with opposing effects on bile flow. The organization of second messenger signals across the hepatic lobule may be an important component of hormonal regulation of bile secretion.

Type III InsP3 receptor channel stays open in the presence of increased calcium.

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) is the main calcium(Ca2+) release channel in most tissues. Three isoforms have been identified, but only types I and II InsP3R have been characterized. Here we examine the functional properties of the type III InsP3R because this receptor is restricted to the trigger zone from which Ca2+ waves originate and it has distinctive InsP3-binding properties. We find that type III InsP3R forms Ca2+ channels with single-channel currents that are similar to those of type I InsP3R; however, the open probability of type III InsP3R isoform increases monotonically with increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, whereas the type I isoform has a bell-shaped dependence on cytoplasmic Ca2+. The properties of type III InsP3R provide positive feedback as Ca2+ is released; the lack of negative feedback allows complete Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Thus, activation of type III InsP3R in cells that express only this isoform results in a single transient, but global, increase in the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+. The bell-shaped Ca2+-dependence curve of type I InsP3R is ideal for supporting Ca2+ oscillations, whereas the properties of type III InsP3R are better suited to signal initiation.

Stimulation of bile duct epithelial secretion by glybenclamide in normal and cholestatic rat liver.

Cholestasis is a cardinal complication of liver disease, but most treatments are merely supportive. Here we report that the sulfonylurea glybenclamide potently stimulates bile flow and bicarbonate excretion in the isolated perfused rat liver. Video-microscopic studies of isolated hepatocyte couplets and isolated bile duct segments show that this stimulatory effect occurs at the level of the bile duct epithelium, rather than through hepatocytes. Measurements of cAMP, cytosolic pH, and Ca2+ in isolated bile duct cells suggest that glybenclamide directly activates Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransport, rather than other transporters or conventional second-messenger systems that link to secretory pathways in these cells. Finally, studies in livers from rats with endotoxin- or estrogen-induced cholestasis show that glybenclamide retains its stimulatory effects on bile flow and bicarbonate excretion even under these conditions. These findings suggest that bile duct epithelia may represent an important new therapeutic target for treatment of cholestatic disorders.

Mechanism of long-range Ca2+ signalling in the nucleus of isolated rat hepatocytes.

Ca2+ regulates a wide range of cell proteins, in both the cytosol and nucleus. It enters the nucleus from stores along the nuclear envelope, but how it then spreads through the nuclear interior is unknown. Here we used high-speed confocal line-scanning microscopy to examine the propagation of Ca2+ waves across nuclei in isolated rat hepatocytes. Nuclear Ca2+ waves began at the nucleus/cytosol border as expected, then spread across the nucleus at less than half the speed of cytosolic Ca2+ waves. High concentrations of caffeine slowed Ca2+ waves in the cytosol but not in the nucleus. We developed a mathematical model based on diffusion to analyse these data, and the model was able to describe the nuclear but not cytosolic Ca2+ waves that were experimentally observed. These findings suggest that Ca2+ waves cross the nucleus by simple diffusion, which is distinct from the reaction-diffusion mechanism by which Ca2+ waves propagate across the cytosol. Since the range of messenger action for Ca2+ in the cytosol is much smaller than the distance across the nucleus, this also suggests that the unique environment and geometry of the nuclear interior may permit this simple mechanism of Ca2+ wave propagation to control Ca2+-mediated processes in a relatively large region despite Ca2+ release pools that are spatially limited.

Isolated rat hepatocytes can signal to other hepatocytes and bile duct cells by release of nucleotides.

Intercellular communication among certain cell types can occur via ATP secretion, which leads to stimulation of nucleotide receptors on target cells. In epithelial cells, however, intercellular communication is thought to occur instead via gap junctions. Here we examined whether one epithelial cell type, hepatocytes, can also communicate via nucleotide secretion. The effects on cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) of mechanical stimulation, including microinjection, were examined in isolated rat hepatocytes and in isolated bile duct units using confocal fluorescence video microscopy. Mechanical stimulation of a single hepatocyte evoked an increase in [Ca2+]i in the stimulated cell plus an unexpected [Ca2+]i rise in neighboring noncontacting hepatocytes. Perifusion with ATP before mechanical stimulation suppressed the [Ca2+]i increase, but pretreatment with phenylephrine did not. The P2 receptor antagonist suramin inhibited these intercellular [Ca2+]i signals. The ATP/ADPase apyrase reversibly inhibited the [Ca2+]i rise induced by mechanical stimulation, and did not block vasopressin-induced [Ca2+]i signals. Mechanical stimulation of hepatocytes also induced a [Ca2+]i increase in cocultured isolated bile duct units, and this [Ca2+]i increase was inhibited by apyrase as well. Finally, this form of [Ca2+]i signaling could be elicited in the presence of propidium iodide without nuclear labeling by that dye, indicating that this phenomenon does not depend on disruption of the stimulated cell. Thus, mechanical stimulation of isolated hepatocytes, including by microinjection, can evoke [Ca2+]i signals in the stimulated cell as well as in neighboring noncontacting hepatocytes and bile duct epithelia. This signaling is mediated by release of ATP or other nucleotides into the extracellular space. This is an important technical consideration given the widespread use of microinjection techniques for examining mechanisms of signal transduction. Moreover, the evidence provided suggests a novel paracrine signaling pathway for epithelia, which previously were thought to communicate exclusively via gap junctions.

Characterization of cytosolic Ca2+ signaling in rat bile duct epithelia.

Bile duct epithelia play an important role in the formation and conditioning of bile. However, hormonal responses in this epithelial tissue are incompletely understood. Secretin increases ductular secretion through the intracellular messenger adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), but whether hormones increase cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+(i)) in these cells and whether Ca2+(i) regulates duct secretion is unknown. To address these questions, we examined Ca2+(i) signaling in isolated rat bile duct units using ratio microspectrofluorometry and confocal microscopy. We also used videomicroscopy to examine secretion and cell volume in isolated bile duct cells and duct units. Acetylcholine (ACh) and ATP both increased Ca2+(i) in bile duct units and elicited patterns of Ca2+(i) increases and oscillations that were distinct and dose dependent. In contrast, Ca2+(i) was not increased by the hepatocyte Ca2+(i) agonists vasopressin, angiotensin, and phenylephrine or by the exocrine pancreas agonists cholecystokinin (CCK) and bombesin. In addition, secretin did not increase Ca2+(i) in the isolated bile duct units, whereas ACh did not increase Ca2+(i) in isolated hepatocytes. Mobilization of internal, thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ stores contributed more than influx of extracellular Ca2+ to the Ca2+(i) increases induced in the duct units, and ATP-induced increases in Ca2+(i) could be blocked by microinjection of heparin but not de-N-sulfated heparin. ACh transiently decreased bile flow in the isolated perfused rat liver, although neither ACh nor ATP altered secretion in isolated ducts or changed the volume of single isolated bile duct cells. These findings demonstrate that bile duct epithelial cells possess both muscarinic and purinergic receptors that activate Ca2+(i) signaling pathways similar to those seen in other types of epithelia, but that the two types of receptors elicit distinct patterns of Ca2+(i) signals. Increases in Ca2+(i) have minimal direct effects on bile duct secretion, although it remains to be determined whether such signals selectively modulate other aspects of bile duct epithelial cell function.

NO modulates the apicolateral cytoskeleton of isolated hepatocytes by a PKC-dependent, cGMP-independent mechanism.

Nitric oxide (NO) induces smooth muscle relaxation. We examined whether NO or its mediator of this action, guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), similarly induces relaxation of the apicolateral cytoskeleton in hepatocytes. Apical (canalicular) contractions were observed in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets by videomicroscopy, tight junction permeability was determined in the couplets by paracellular penetration of Texas red-dextran, and cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+i) was measured in isolated hepatocytes by fluorescence imaging. Unexpectedly, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside potentiated rather than inhibited apical contraction, in a cGMP-independent manner. This action of nitroprusside was blocked by hemoglobin or by inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC). Nitroprusside and 3-morpholinosydnonimine, another NO donor, each increased the permeability of hepatocyte tight junctions, a known effect of PKC in this cell type, and induced translocation of that kinase to the plasma membrane, as determined by immunocytochemistry. Neither nitroprusside nor dibutyryl cGMP changed the amplitude or frequency of Ca2+i signals in hepatocytes. Exogenous NO thus modulates the apicolateral cytoskeleton of hepatocytes via PKC activation rather than via cGMP or Ca2+i. These observations suggest a new role for NO: to activate PKC.

Ca2+ waves are organized among hepatocytes in the intact organ.

Hormone-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai2+) begin as Cai2+ waves in cells isolated from most types of tissue (1, 11), but whether such waves actually occur in vivo is unknown. To investigate this, we examined vasopressin-induced Cai2+ signals in hepatocytes within the perfused rat liver. Using confocal fluorescence video microscopy, we found that increases in Cai2+ began as waves that usually originated in hepatocytes near central venules, then spread opposite to the direction of blood flow, to hepatocytes near portal venules. We used immunochemistry to determine that the liver vasopressin V1a receptor is most concentrated among hepatocytes in the pericentral region, providing the mechanism by which Cai2+ waves originate there. Pericentral-to-periportal Cai2+ waves may direct peristaltic flow of bile, since Cai2+ induces contraction of the apical pole of hepatocytes and since peristaltic contractions in liver also occur in a pericentral-to-periportal direction. The organization of Cai2+ waves among cells in intact tissue may be a means by which an integrative, organ-level response is provided in response to hormonal stimuli.

Altered expression and function of hepatocyte gap junctions after common bile duct ligation in the rat.

Gap junction channels allow intercellular exchange of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells. Such communication coordinates cellular and organ function in tissues, although it is unclear if altered gap junction expression and communication contribute to organ dysfunction in pathological states. We examined the immunofluorescent (IF) localization and mRNA and protein levels of the two hepatocyte gap junction proteins connexin 32 and connexin 26, after hepatic injury induced by common bile duct ligation (CBDL) in the rat. Intercellular communication was measured by comparing gap junction-mediated coordination of hormone-induced Ca2+ signals in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets from control and CBDL animals. Connexin 32 plasma membrane IF, protein, and mRNA levels decreased markedly early after CBDL and remained low at 14 days. Connexin 26 plasma membrane IF and protein levels also decreased markedly after CBDL, but mRNA levels rose, and a partial return in membrane IF and protein levels was noted at 9 and 14 days. Coordination of vasopressin-induced Ca2+ signals between cells in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets 1 day after CBDL was significantly impaired compared with controls. These results demonstrate that hepatocyte gap junction communication is impaired early after CBDL because of decreased connexin protein levels. Disruption of gap junctions after CBDL may contribute to loss of hepatic functions that depend on gap junction communication.

Multistep mechanism of polarized Ca2+ wave patterns in hepatocytes.

The spatial organization of cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+i) signals is thought to be important for regulation of cell function. In epithelial cells, the involvement of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated Ca2+ release in evoking Ca2+i signals is appreciated, but the location of IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores and the role of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) for Ca2+ signaling are less defined. Here, we demonstrate that IP3 receptors are localized to the apical region in hepatocytes. We also show that hormone-induced Ca2+i waves propagate across the cell at a rate that depends on mobilization of Ca2+ stores that are sensitive to caffeine, ryanodine, and dantrolene, and that these agents, at concentrations that inhibit CICR, decrease the magnitude of Ca2+i signals. Furthermore, Ca2+i wave speed is not reduced in Ca(2+)-free medium. These findings suggest that Ca2+i signals in epithelial cells begin as apical-to-basal Ca2+i waves that result from sequential release of Ca2+, first from IP3-sensitive stores in the apex and then from Ca(2+)-sensitive stores distributed across the remainder of the cell.

Mechanism of desensitization of the cloned vasopressin V1a receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

The vasopressin V1a receptor exerts its effects by G protein-mediated increases in cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai2+) and activation of protein kinase C. The V1a receptor also undergoes autologous desensitization. To clarify the mechanism of this desensitization, we expressed the cloned receptor in Xenopus oocytes, and vasopressin-induced Cai2+ waves were examined as an index of V1a activation using confocal microscopy. Pretreatment of oocytes with a minimal concentration of vasopressin inhibited further generation of Cai2+ waves upon maximal stimulation. Such pretreatment did not abolish Cai2+ waves induced by subsequent microinjection of inositol trisphosphate, suggesting that this phenomenon represents receptor desensitization rather than depletion of inositol trisphosphate-sensitive Cai2+ stores. Pretreatment with phorbol dibutyrate, ionomycin, or 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate had no effect on vasopressin-induced Cai2+ waves. Oocytes recovered from desensitization within 1 h, but the microtubule inhibitor methyl-5-[2-thienylcarbonyl]-1H-benzimiidazol-2-yl)-carbamate (nocodazole) inhibited this recovery. Receptor binding sites were reduced by over 50% within 10 min of exposure to vasopressin, with no associated change in the Kd for the V1a receptor. These findings indicate that 1) expression of the cloned V1a receptor in Xenopus oocytes, coupled with subcellular Cai2+ imaging, provides a useful system to examine mechanisms of V1a desensitization, 2) the V1a receptor undergoes autologous desensitization in this experimental system, and 3) protein kinase C, Cai2+, and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate do not appear responsible for this desensitization, but 4) microtubule-dependent recycling of the receptor is preserved in this system and may be important for receptor desensitization.

Mechanisms of subcellular cytosolic Ca2+ signaling evoked by stimulation of the vasopressin V1a receptor.

Receptor activation may result in distinct subcellular patterns of Ca2+ release. To define the subcellular distribution of Ca2+i signals induced by stimulation of the vasopressin V1a receptor, we expressed the cloned receptor in Xenopus oocytes. Oocytes were then loaded with fluo-3 and observed using confocal microscopy. Vasopressin induced a single concentric wave of increased Ca2+ that radiated inward from the plasma membrane. With submaximal stimulation, however, regions of the Ca2+ wave spontaneously reorganized into repetitive (oscillatory) waves. Focal stimulation of a small part of the plasma membrane resulted in a Ca2+ wave which began at the point of stimulation, radiated toward the center of the cell, then reorganized into multiple foci of repetitive, colliding waves and spirals of increased Ca2+i. The pattern of Ca2+ signaling induced by focal or global stimulation was not altered in Ca(2+)-free medium, although signals did not propagate as fast. Finally, subcellular Ca2+ signaling patterns induced by vasopressin were inhibited by caffeine, while neither vasopressin nor microinjection of inositol trisphosphate blocked caffeine-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+. Thus, stimulation of the V1a receptor in this cell system induces a complex pattern of Ca2+ signaling which is influenced by (1) the magnitude of the stimulus, (2) the distribution of the surface receptors that are stimulated, and (3) mobilization of Ca2+ from the extracellular space as well as from two distinct endogenous Ca2+ pools. The manner in which a single type of receptor is activated may represent an important potential mechanism for subcellular Ca2+i signaling.

Mechanism of Ca2+ wave propagation in pancreatic acinar cells.

An increase in cytosolic Ca2+ often begins as a Ca2+ wave, and this wave is thought to result from sequential activation of Ca(2+)-sensitive Ca2+ stores across the cell. We tested that hypothesis in pancreatic acinar cells, and since Ca2+ waves may regulate acinar Cl- secretion, we examined whether such waves also are important for amylase secretion. Ca2+ wave speed and direction was determined in individual cells within rat pancreatic acini using confocal line scanning microscopy. Both acetylcholine (ACh) and cholecystokinin-8 induced rapid Ca2+ waves which usually travelled in an apical-to-basal direction. Both caffeine and ryanodine, at concentrations that inhibit Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release (CICR), markedly slowed the speed of these waves. Amylase secretion was increased over 3-fold in response to ACh stimulation, and this increase was preserved in the presence of ryanodine. These results indicate that 1) stimulation of either muscarinic or cholecystokinin-8 receptors induces apical-to-basal Ca2+ waves in pancreatic acinar cells, 2) the speed of such waves is dependent upon mobilization of caffeine- and ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores, and 3) ACh-induced amylase secretion is not inhibited by ryanodine. These observations provide direct evidence that Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release is important for propagation of cytosolic Ca2+ waves in pancreatic acinar cells.

Subcellular distribution of cytosolic Ca2+ in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets: evaluation using confocal microscopy.

Ca2+ agonists induce Ca2+ waves and other non-uniform Ca2+ patterns in the cytosol of epithelial cells. To define subcellular Ca2+ transients in the cytosol of hepatocytes we examined Fluo-3-loaded isolated rat hepatocyte couplets using confocal microscopy. Optical sections of less than 1 micron in thickness were observed in couplets, and fluorescence from cytosolic Ca2+ signals was readily distinguished from nuclear, mitochondrial, and lysosomal fluorescence. The nature of the noncytosolic components of the fluorescent images was verified by double labelling with the mitochondrial dye DiOC6(3) and with the lysosomal marker acridine orange. Using the line scanning mode of confocal microscopy, measurements of cytosolic Ca2+ were made with a frequency of up to 250 Hz and without significant bleaching. It was found that phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ signals generally began at the basal pole of the hepatocytes, then spread to the canaliculus at average speeds of 80 micron/s. These findings demonstrate the utility of confocal line scanning microscopy for detecting rapid changes in the subcellular distribution of cytosolic Ca2+ in hepatocyte couplets, and suggest that phenylephrine-induced Ca2+ waves radiate in a basal-to-apical direction in this cell type.

Coordination of hormone-induced calcium signals in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets: demonstration with confocal microscopy.

Excitable cells often display rapid coordination of hormone-induced intracellular calcium signals. Calcium elevations that begin in a single epithelial cell also may spread to adjacent cells, but coordination of hormone-induced signals among epithelial cells has not been described. We report the use of confocal microscopy to determine the inter- and intracellular distribution of cytosolic calcium in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets, an isolated epithelial cell system in which functional polarity is maintained. Both vasopressin and phenylephrine evoked sequential coordinated calcium signals in the couplets, even during cytosolic calcium oscillations. The coupling was abolished by closure of intercellular gap junction channels by treatment with octanol. These observations demonstrate that hormone-induced intracellular calcium signals are coordinated among hepatocytes and suggest that gap junction channels mediate this intercellular integration of tissue responsiveness.