title: Nifedipine prevents sodium caprate-induced barrier dysfunction in human epidermal keratinocyte cultures.
abstract: Tight junctions (TJs) of the epidermis play an important role in maintaining the epidermal barrier. TJ breakdown is associated with skin problems, such as wrinkles and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Clinical studies have reported that topical nifedipine is effective in reducing the depth of wrinkles and improving TEWL. However, it remains unknown whether nifedipine influences the TJ function in the epidermis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of nifedipine on epidermal barrier dysfunction in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) treated with sodium caprate (C10), a TJ inhibitor. Nifedipine reversed the C10-decreased transepithelial electrical resistance values as a measure of disruption of the epidermal barrier. Immunocytochemical observations revealed that nifedipine improved the C10-induced irregular arrangement of claudin-1, a key protein in TJs. Taken together, these findings suggest that nifedipine prevents epidermal barrier dysfunction, at least in part, by reconstituting the irregular claudin-1 localization at TJs in C10-treated NHEKs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamabashiri
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Ikuya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: Yasufumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kataoka
mesh_terms: D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D062445:Claudin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003652:Decanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D062445:Claudin-1; D003652:Decanoic Acids; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D014867:Water; C031071:decanoic acid; D009543:Nifedipine