Bile canaliculi contract autonomously by releasing calcium into hepatocytes via mechanosensitive calcium channel

Abstract

Bile canaliculi (BC) are the smallest vessels of the biliary tree. They are formed from the apical surfaces of adjoining hepatocytes, resulting in lumenal conduits for bile flow. Bile is propelled along the BC by hepatocyte contractions that arise from cyclic waves of apico-basal Ca2+, but the source and regulation of Ca2+ has been unclear. We report that BC contraction correlates with cyclic transfer of Ca2+ from BC lumen to apico-basal Ca2+ waves in adjacent hepatocytes, and does not correlate with endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+. BC contractility was triggered by ionophore A23187 and unaffected by Thapsigargin. The cycles of Ca2+ transfer could be blocked by the mechanosensitive calcium channel inhibitor GsMTx-4, resulting in cholestatic generation of BC-derived vesicles. The mechanosensitive calcium channel Piezo-1 is preferentially localized at BC membranes, and its hyper-activation by Yoda1 causes increased Ca2+ transfer and increased BC contractility. We propose that canaliculi achieve biomechanical homeostasis through the following feedback system: the pressure of accumulated bile is sensed by mechanosensitive channel, which transmit biliary calcium into adjacent hepatocytes for contraction of the BC lumen and propulsion of the bile.