Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Ultrasound-guided Botulinum Toxin-A Injections: A Method of Treating Sialorrhea
Published on: November 9, 2016
Alteration of tight junctions during botulinum toxin type A-inhibited salivary secretion
Qian-Ying Mao1, Shang Xie1, Li-Ling Wu2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
Objectives:
Tight junctions (TJs) are involved in the regulation of salivary secretion via paracellular pathway. Botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) is widely used for the treatment of hypersecretion diseases such as sialorrhea. This study aimed to investigate the role of TJs in BTXA-inhibited secretion of the submandibular gland (SMG).
Materials And Methods:
BTXA was injected into the SMGs of rats, and the same amount of saline was injected as a control. Western blot, real-time PCR, and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the expression and distribution of TJ proteins. Paracellular permeability was evaluated using the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurements and fluorescent tracer detection in BTXA-stimulated SMG-C6 cells.
Results:
BTXA injection into the SMGs of rats led to increased expression of claudin (Cldn) -1 and Cldn3. Immunofluorescence staining showed no significant changes in the distribution of TJ proteins. In vitro, BTXA increased the TER values and significantly reduced the permeability of fluorescent tracer, suggesting that BTXA decreased the paracellular permeability. The expression levels of Cldn1, Cldn3, and Cldn4 were upregulated after BTXA treatment.
Conclusion:
The expression of TJ proteins changed in both animal models and SMG-C6 cells after BTXA treatment, which may contribute to the inhibition of salivary secretion.
More Related Videos
07:38Radiation Treatment of Organotypic Cultures from Submandibular and Parotid Salivary Glands Models Key In Vivo Characteristics
Published on: May 17, 2019
10:30A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators
Published on: December 27, 2013
Related Concept Videos
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade
Chemical Synapses
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Tight Junctions
Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex,...