Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
08:58
Whole Cell Patch Clamp for Investigating the Mechanisms of Infrared Neural Stimulation
Published on: July 31, 2013
20.3K
Electric stimulus opens intercellular spaces in skin
Susumu Hama1, Yuki Kimura, Aya Mikami
1From the Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|December 10, 2013
Summary
Iontophoresis uses faint electricity to deliver charged nanoparticles through the skin. This study reveals that electric stimulus (ES) with charged liposomes disrupts intercellular junctions by reducing connexin 43, enabling transdermal delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Dermatology
- Pharmaceutics
Background:
- Iontophoresis enables noninvasive transdermal drug delivery of charged molecules.
- Previous studies demonstrated insulin delivery via iontophoresis using charged liposomes.
- The precise mechanism of liposome penetration through the skin remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of transdermal nanoparticle penetration induced by iontophoresis.
- To elucidate the role of intercellular junctions and cell signaling in electric stimulus-mediated delivery.
- To explore the potential of iontophoresis for regulating skin physiology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized iontophoresis to deliver rigid nanoparticles into the epidermis.
- Assessed changes in skin proteins (connexin 43, occludin, CLD-4, ZO-1) after electric stimulus (ES).
- Investigated connexin 43 phosphorylation, actin depolymerization, and calcium ion (Ca2+) influx in vitro and in vivo.
Main Results:
- Confirmed penetration of rigid nanoparticles into the epidermis via iontophoresis.
- Observed a significant decrease in connexin 43 protein levels post-ES treatment.
- Found ES induced connexin 43 phosphorylation, actin depolymerization, and increased Ca2+ inflow, which was inhibited by a protein kinase C inhibitor.
Conclusions:
- Electric stimulus (ES) with charged liposomes induces transdermal delivery by dissociating intercellular junctions through cell signaling pathways.
- Connexin 43 plays a critical role in ES-mediated skin permeation.
- Iontophoresis offers a potential method for modulating skin physiology and enhancing transdermal delivery.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Sensory Functions of the Skin
9.1K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
9.1K
01:12Mechanically-gated Ion Channels
6.6K
Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
6.6K
01:28Electrical Synapses
10.1K
Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...
10.1K
01:24Generation of Action Potential in Skeletal Muscles
9.1K
Every cell in the body maintains a membrane potential due to an uneven distribution of positive and negative charges across its plasma membrane. The membrane potential is measured in millivolts and quantifies the difference in charge across the membrane.
Like neurons, muscle cells are also regarded as excitable due to their capacity to change in response to stimuli, primarily due to voltage-gated ion channels embedded in their plasma membranes, which get activated by alterations in the...
Like neurons, muscle cells are also regarded as excitable due to their capacity to change in response to stimuli, primarily due to voltage-gated ion channels embedded in their plasma membranes, which get activated by alterations in the...
9.1K
01:28Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation
20.6K
The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
20.6K
01:41Action Potentials
112.8K
Overview
112.8K