Abstract
A phenomenon has been observed in which intracellular Ca^<2+> concentration in endothelial cells increases upon application of shear stress (Ca^<2+> response). It is therefore assumed that Ca^<2+> is the second messenger in the transfer of shear stress stimulation into cells. The Ca^<2+> response is also known to spread to surrounding cells (Ca^<2+> wave propagation). The present study investigated the effects on Ca^<2+> spread among cultured bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs) upon inhibiting the main intercellular signaling pathways, such as gap junction and paracrine pathways (apyrase, ARL67156, Thapsigargin, GdCl_3), by inducing Ca^<2+> wave propagation due to an intracellular InsP_3 elevation using caged InsP_3
