Mechanical sensitivity of carotid body glomus cells.

Cultured glomus cells from rat carotid bodies were prepared for optical studies of intracellular calcium using the Fura-2 dye. The baseline calcium had a mean of about 40 nM showing either a relatively steady level or large calcium spikes. Some cells did not show measurable levels of Ca(2+). Stirring the fluid bathing the cultures induced large increases in Ca(2+) which were abolished when the bathing medium had zero Ca(2+) and EGTA. It is concluded that glomus cells respond to mechanical stimulation when directly exposed to this stimulus and are not protected by supporting structures. It is unknown if the electrical properties of these cells are also affected by mechanical challenges.