Intercellular Ca2+ signalling:: the artery wall

The fact that many cells in the cardiovascular system are coupled via gap junctions enables direct intercellular Ca2+ signalling. Ca2+ ions and/or inositol trisphosphate (IP3) can pass through these aqueous pores. Cell-cell coupling can occur between cells of the same type, or via special junctions between adjacent cells of different types. Homocellular coupling acts to amplify and prolong Ca2+ signals, whereas heterocellular coupling allows complex interactions between the cells, including the modulation of their responsive responses. This review will focus on the interactions between cells that form the blood vessel wall, illustrating how cell-cell communication defines important physiological functions.