Data on the effects of ionic manipulation on the mechanical properties of C. reniformis concern mostly changes in the extracellular and intracellular [Ca2+]. The role of [Ca2+] is still controversial since its manipulation could disturb different processes ( Wilkie et al., 2006). The results obtained so far showed that
KY 02111 both organic and inorganic Ca2+ channel blockers and the intracellular Ca2+ chelator EGTA-AM inhibit the destiffening of maximally stiffened samples, and stiffen partially destiffened samples, suggesting that both these processes are influenced by cellular processes involving transmembrane Ca2+ fluxes and changes of intracellular [Ca2+]. On the extracellular side, increasing [Ca2+] retarded the destiffening process of maximally stiffened samples, whereas samples kept in CaMgFSW showed accelerated destiffening. Surprisingly, keeping samples in CaMgFSW with 1 mM EGTA strongly inhibited destiffening, and CaMgFSW with 2 mM EGTA restiffened partially destiffened samples. Whilst [Ca2+] variations appear to act on the physiology of
cells ( Wilkie et al., 2006), it is still possible that calcium could also contribute directly to the stabilization of the ECM.
