Intercellular Synchronization of Coupled Smooth Muscle Cells via Ca²⁺ Propagation

The propagation of Ca²⁺ wave through gap junction in smooth muscle cell is studied as a function of electrical coupling parameter (g) modulated by Ca²⁺ level in the cell. The range of activation time of Ca²⁺ propagation with amplitude is found to increase as increase in electrical coupling parameter g, which is identified by increase in critical time of activation, T _F as a function of g. Then identical Ca²⁺ oscillators are allowed to interact via electrical and diffusive coupling of Ca²⁺ ions diffused through gap junctions, and rate of intercellular synchronization among them is studied. The phase diagrams in (T _F–g) and (T _F–∈) parameter spaces separate oscillation death and damped oscillations regimes which correspond to deactivated and activated regimes of Ca²⁺ level. The effect of on T _F is significantly very slow, however it enhances the rate of synchronization among the coupled oscillators. The increase in g comparatively slows down the rate of synchronization of the coupled oscillators as shown in the phase diagram in (∈–g) parameter space which separates desynchronized and synchronized regimes.