ATP autocrine/paracrine signaling induces calcium oscillations and NFAT activation in human mesenchymal stem cells

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into several types of cells. Calcium ions (Ca(2+)) play an important role in the differentiation and proliferation of hMSCs. We have demonstrated that spontaneous Ca(2+)](i) oscillations occur without agonist stimulation in hMSCs. However, the precise mechanism of its generation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism and role of spontaneous Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in hMSCs and found that IP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release is essential for spontaneous Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. We also found that an ATP autocrine/paracrine signaling pathway is involved in the oscillations. In this pathway, an ATP is secreted via a hemi-gap-junction channel; it stimulates the P(2)Y(1) receptors, resulting in the activation of PLC-beta to produce IP(3). We were able to pharmacologically block this pathway, and thereby to completely halt the Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. Furthermore, we found that Ca(2+)](i) oscillations were associated with NFAT translocation into the nucleus in undifferentiated hMSCs. Once the ATP autocrine/paracrine signaling pathway was blocked, it was not possible to detect the nuclear translocation of NFAT, indicating that the activation of NFAT is closely linked to Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. As the hMSCs differentiated to adipocytes, the Ca(2+)](i) oscillations disappeared and the translocation of NFAT ceased. These results provide new insight into the molecular and physiological mechanism of Ca(2+)](i) oscillations in undifferentiated hMSCs.