BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that intracellular calcium propagation was induced by stimulation of epidermal keratinocytes in skin slices or in culture with adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The feature of the calcium wave propagation appeared to be different between differentiated cells and proliferating cells, and so the mechanisms involved might be different. PURPOSE: Establish a new methodology to abstract cellular information from aggregative dynamics. METHODS: We present a mathematical analysis of the calcium wave to evaluate the mechanism of calcium ion propagation. RESULTS: A well-defined calcium wave was observed in differentiated cells in comparison with undifferentiated cells. Application of either 2APB [an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor blocker] or U73122 (an IP3 synthesis blocker) reduced the amplitude of the wave in differentiated cells. Mathematical analysis indicated that U73122 decreased the velocity of the wave, while 2APB altered the wave form. Thus, IP3 synthesis might be important for signal transmission and IP3 movement might be important for pattern formation. CONCLUSION: The method we present here should be useful to analyze the effects of various reagents in in vitro studies.
BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that intracellular calcium propagation was induced by stimulation of epidermal keratinocytes in skin slices or in culture with adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The feature of the calcium wave propagation appeared to be different between differentiated cells and proliferating cells, and so the mechanisms involved might be different. PURPOSE: Establish a new methodology to abstract cellular information from aggregative dynamics. METHODS: We present a mathematical analysis of the calcium wave to evaluate the mechanism of calcium ion propagation. RESULTS: A well-defined calcium wave was observed in differentiated cells in comparison with undifferentiated cells. Application of either 2APB [an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor blocker] or U73122 (an IP3 synthesis blocker) reduced the amplitude of the wave in differentiated cells. Mathematical analysis indicated that U73122 decreased the velocity of the wave, while 2APB altered the wave form. Thus, IP3 synthesis might be important for signal transmission and IP3 movement might be important for pattern formation. CONCLUSION: The method we present here should be useful to analyze the effects of various reagents in in vitro studies.