Search

The stratum corneum (SC), the outermost epidermal layer, consists of nonviable anuclear keratinocytes, called corneocytes, which function as a protective barrier. The exact modes of cell death executed by keratinocytes of the upper stratum granulosum (SG1 cells) remain largely unknown. Here, using intravital imaging combined with intracellular Ca(2+)- and pH-responsive fluorescent probes, we aimed to dissect the SG1 death process in vivo. We found that SG1 cell death was preceded by prolonged (∼60 min) Ca(2+) elevation and rapid induction of intracellular acidification. Once such intracellular ionic changes were initiated, they became sustained, irreversibly committing the SG1 cells to corneocyte conversion. Time-lapse imaging of isolated murine SG1 cells revealed that intracellular acidification was essential for the degradation of keratohyalin granules and nuclear DNA, phenomena specific to SC corneocyte formation. Furthermore, intravital imaging showed that the number of SG1 cells exhibiting Ca(2+) elevation and the timing of intracellular acidification were both tightly regulated by the transient receptor potential cation channel V3. The functional activity of this protein was confirmed in isolated SG1 cells using whole-cell patch-clamp analysis. These findings provide a theoretical framework for improved understanding of the unique molecular mechanisms underlying keratinocyte-specific death mode, namely corneoptosis.

To investigate the contribution of lithium-ion diffusibility of lithium tungsten oxides (LWOs) to low interfacial resistance, we fabricate thin-film electrodes of 6 Li-enriched LiCoO 2 ( 6 LCO) modified with various structure-types of 6 Li-enriched LWOs by pulsed laser deposition. The electrodes are subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analyses. XRD reveals that the LWO layers have Li 2 WO 4 structure with rhombohedral and tetragonal symmetries and amorphous states. EIS shows that the lowest interfacial resistance of the positive electrodes is given by the amorphous state, followed in order by the tetragonal and the rhombohedral symmetry, and that the diffusion coefficients of lithium-ions in the electrodes increase in the same order. SIMS demonstrates that the fastest lithium-ion self-diffusibility into the LWOs is found in the amorphous state, followed in order by tetragonal and rhombohedral symmetry. Furthermore, the amorphous state LWO modification shows smooth lithium-ion diffusion between the LWO and LCO layers after the electrochemical test. Conversely, the rhombohedral LWO modification demonstrates congested lithium-ion diffusion between the LWO and LCO layers after the test. Thus, fast lithium-ion self-diffusibility into the LWO-modified LCO contributes to enhancing the diffusion of lithium-ions, resulting in the reduction of interfacial resistance.