Heterogeneous response in calcium signaling by adrenergic and cholinergic stimulation in cultured bovine trabecular cells.

Adrenergic and cholinergic drug-dependent Ca(2+)-signaling in cultured bovine trabecular cells was studied using a fluorescent calcium dye, fura-2, and digital video-imaging system. The resting calcium concentration in the cultured cell was 178.7 +/- 1.8 nM. Upon stimulation with norepinephrine, isoproterenol and carbachol trabecular cells responded heterogeneously. Many types of reaction to the stimuli were found; about 25% of the cells responded to the stimuli and about 30% showed no response to all of the stimuli. Carbachol induced response was blocked with pretreatment of atropine, and timolol inhibited the isoproterenol-induced response. Ca2+ signaling in trabecular cells may mediate the action of adrenergic and cholinergic drugs and possibly play significant roles in the regulation of intraocular pressure.