Electrical coupling between smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in pig coronary arteries

The control of smooth muscle cells by endothelial cells has been well established by the identification of vasoactive factors released by the endothelial cells. In contrast, the possibility that smooth muscle cells influence the endothelial cells has been considered rarely. Some results suggest possible electrical communication between the smooth muscle and the endothelial cells but proof is lacking. We therefore tested for electrotonic conduction of signals from smooth muscle cells to endothelial cells. The endothelium was removed from half of a strip of porcine coronary artery. In a partitioned chamber, rectangular hyperpolarization or depolarization was applied to the de-endothelialized region by field stimulation. The resulting membrane potential changes in the smooth muscle cells spread electrotonically along the media into the area with intact endothelium. We recorded from endothelial cells to determine whether this electrical signal spreads into endothelial cells. Hyperpolarization or depolarization initiated in smooth muscle cells was recorded consistently in endothelial cells. This demonstrates a functional electrotonic propagation from smooth muscle to endothelial cells.