Seeing is believing! Live con focalimaging of microvascular net works in situ: Morphology, Ca2+ signalling an d tone
Burdyga T., Borysova L.
2- and 3-dimensional confocal imaging of Fluo-4 loaded ureteric microvesells in situ allowed us to demonstrate distinct morphology, Ca2+ signalling and contractility in myocytes of arcade arterioles and pericytes of arcade venules. In myocytes and pericytes, Ca2+ signals arise exclusively from Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors. 2+ transients in pericytes are less oscillatory, slower and longer-lasting than those in myocytes. The data obtained suggest differences in the mechanisms controlling local blood flow in precapillary arterioles and postcapillary venules.