Spontaneous calcium responses of SF2 rat dental epithelial cells stably expressing the calcium sensor G-GECO

Biomed Res. 2021;42(5):193-201. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.42.193.

Abstract

Genetically-encoded calcium indicators such as G-GECO are useful for studying Ca2+ responses during long-term processes. In this study, we employed a lentiviral vector and established a rat dental epithelial cell line that stably expressed G-GECO (SF2-G-GECO). Ca2+ imaging analysis under cell culture conditions revealed that SF2-G-GECO cells exhibited spontaneous Ca2+ responses, which could be classified into the following three major patterns depending on the cell density: localized Ca2+ responses at cell protrusions at a low density, a cell-wide spread of Ca2+ responses at a medium density, and Ca2+ responses in clusters of 3-20 cells at a high density. The P2Y receptor inhibitor suramin (10 μM), the ATP-degrading enzyme apyrase (5 units/mL), and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor inhibitor FIIN-2 (1 μM) decreased the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ responses. These results indicate that ATP and FGF are involved in the spontaneous Ca2+ responses. SF2 cells differentiate into ameloblasts via interactions with mesenchymal cells. Therefore, SF2-G-GECO cells are expected to be a useful tool for studying the functions of Ca2+ responses in regulating gene expression during tooth development.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Calcium* / metabolism
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Line
  • Epithelial Cells* / metabolism
  • Odontogenesis
  • Rats

Substances

  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Calcium