Intercellular synchronization of coupled smooth muscle cells via Ca2+ propagation

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2012 Nov;12(11):8303-15. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2012.6632.

Abstract

The propagation of Ca2+ wave through gap junction in smooth muscle cell is studied as a function of electrical coupling parameter (g) modulated by Ca2+ level in the cell. The range of activation time of Ca2+ propagation with amplitude is found to increase as increase in electrical coupling parameter g, which is identified by increase in critical time of activation, T(F) as a function of g. Then identical Ca2+ oscillators are allowed to interact via electrical and diffusive coupling of Ca2+ ions diffused through gap junctions, and rate of intercellular synchronization among them is studied. The phase diagrams in (T(F) - g) and (T(F) - epsilon) parameter spaces separate oscillation death and damped oscillations regimes which correspond to deactivated and activated regimes of Ca2+ level. The effect of on T(F) is significantly very slow, however it enhances the rate of synchronization among the coupled oscillators. The increase in g comparatively slows down the rate of synchronization of the coupled oscillators as shown in the phase diagram in (epsilon - g) parameter space which separates desynchronized and synchronized regimes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Biological Clocks / physiology*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / physiology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*

Substances

  • Calcium