Halidi, NadiaAlonso, FlorianBurt, Janis M.Bény, Jean-LouisHaefliger, Jacques-AntoineMeister, Jean-Jacques2012-06-132012-06-132012-06-13201210.3109/15419061.2012.690792https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/81777WOS:000304601900002Intercellular Ca2+ wave propagation between vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is associated with the propagation of contraction along the vessel. Here, we characterize the involvement of gap junctions (GJs) in Ca2+ wave propagation between SMCs at the cellular level. Gap junctional communication was assessed by the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves and the transfer of Lucifer Yellow in A7r5 cells, primary rat mesenteric SMCs (pSMCs), and 6B5N cells, a clone of A7r5 cells expressing higher connexin43 (Cx43) to Cx40 ratio. Mechanical stimulation induced an intracellular Ca2+ wave in pSMC and 6B5N cells that propagated to neighboring cells, whereas Ca2+ waves in A7r5 cells failed to progress to neighboring cells. We demonstrate that Cx43 forms the functional GJs that are involved in mediating intercellular Ca2+ waves and that co-expression of Cx40 with Cx43, depending on their expression ratio, may interfere with Cx43 GJ formation, thus altering junctional communication.enconnexinsgap junctioncalcium wavesGap-Junction ChannelsEndothelial-CellsGuinea-PigExpression RatioAtp ReleaseCa2+ WavesArteriesCommunicationHemichannelsPermeabilitytext::journal::journal article::research article