Digital imaging fluorescence microscopy reveals intracellular calcium ions in living cardiac and smooth muscle cells

摘要

We have used digital video microscopy to study the relationship of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca{sup}(2+)]{sub}i) to the function of living cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cell. The technical goal of our work is to obtain, with high spatial and temporal resolution, "maps" of [Ca{sup}(2+)]{sub}i inside single living cells. To relate [Ca{sup}(2+)]{sub}i to cell function, such "maps" can be used in conjunction with measurements of cell electrical activity, contractile activity or biochemical assays.