Koenigsberger, MicheleSeppey, DominiqueBeny, Jean-LouisMeister, Jean-Jacques2010-08-162010-08-162010-08-16201010.1016/j.bpj.2010.04.031https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/52197WOS:000280182300004In rat mesenteric arteries, smooth muscle cells exhibit intercellular calcium waves in response to local phenylephrine stimulation. These waves have a velocity of similar to 20 cells/s and a range of similar to 80 cells. We analyze these waves in a theoretical model of a population of coupled smooth muscle cells, based on the hypothesis that the wave results from cell membrane depolarization propagation. We study the underlying mechanisms and highlight the importance of voltage-operated channels, calcium-induced calcium release, and chloride channels. Our model is in agreement with experimental observations, and we demonstrate that calcium waves presenting a velocity of similar to 20 cells/s can be mediated by electrical coupling. The wave velocity is limited by the time needed for calcium influx through voltage-operated calcium channels and the subsequent calcium-induced calcium release, and not by the speed of the depolarization spreading. The waves are partially regenerated, but have a spatial limit in propagation. Moreover, the model predicts that a refractory period of calcium signaling may significantly affect the wave appearance.Gap-Junction ChannelsElectrical CommunicationMesenteric ArteriolesResistance ArteriesVasomotionDynamicsModelEndotheliumHyperpolarizationSynchronizationtext::journal::journal article::research article