The action of different agonists such as acetylcholine on the membrane of airway smooth muscle cells may induce cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations which can be a part of the Ca(2+) signalling pathway, eventually leading to cell contraction. The aim of the present study is to present a mathematical model of the possible effect of the initial Ca(2+) distribution within the cell on the form and frequency of induced Ca(2+) oscillations. It takes into account intracellular Ca(2+) stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum and cytosolic proteins as well as Ca(2+) exchange across the plasma membrane. We are able to demonstrate a closer agreement of model predictions with observed Ca(2+) traces for a significantly wider range of parameter values, as was previously reported. We show also that the total cellular Ca(2+) content is an important system parameter especially because of the content in sarcoplasmic reticulum. At a total Ca(2+) increase of about 20%, the oscillation frequency increases by 25%; also, damped oscillations become sustained. Cases are indicated in which such a situation could occur.
Keywords: airway smooth muscle cells; calcium oscillations; mathematical modelling; sarcoplasmic reticulum.