Skin Cells Communicate by 'Screaming' With Each Other Over Long Distances During Injuries, Say Scientists

Experts continually are trying to understand how the human body responds to stimuli. Over the years several discoveries have come forth that have challenged assertions made by scientists regarding human cell response. One such finding was described in detail by a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In the past, experts thought the epithelial skin cells were 'mute,' stated Indy100. Before this research, the usual belief was that only nerve and heart cells in the human body can communicate. The new study claims that this assertion was wrong and in fact the epithelial cells 'scream' to each other when faced with an injury. University of Massachusetts Amherst shared that the epithelial cells make up the lining of the skin, body cavities, and organs. Typically they are only perceived as a protective barrier, that can absorb or release certain substances. However, a research team from UMass claims that these cells also communicate with each other through slow electric signals. 

The team combined polymer science and biology, to make this discovery. "Epithelial cells do things that no one has ever thought to look for. When injured, they ‘scream’ to their neighbors, slowly, persistently, and over surprising distances. It’s like a nerve’s impulse, but 1,000 times slower," Steve Granick of the University of Massachusetts Amherst said. The team created a chip that was covered with epithelial cells for their examination of cellular signaling. The chip contained 60 strategically placed electrodes to monitor the communication. The layer of cells on the chip was cultured keeping in mind that even the tiniest bits of electric shifts could be easily picked up by researchers.

A laser produced the 'sting' stimulus within the epithelial cells. Researchers noted that there was a subtle rippling of signals amongst the cells. "We tracked how cells coordinated their response," postdoctoral fellow Sun-Min Yu involved with the study explained. "It’s a slow-motion, excited conversation." The experts claimed that the communication among the cells was dependent on the flow of specific ions, especially calcium. These ions produced signals that were much slower in pace compared to the neuro signals in the human body but had more or less similar voltages.

The examination showcased that the ion-produced signals had longevity. In the experiment, the cells 'talked' for around five hours across distances that were 40 times more than their size. Researchers are yet to identify what other ions could facilitate this 'conversation' between cells. The experts also want to figure out if different kinds of epithelial cells function distinctly when it comes to communicating injuries.

The team hopes that this examination allows other experts to make more advanced appliances. This newly discovered cell communication could improve biomedical devices that are worn by people for injury healing.  "Wearable sensors, implantable devices, and faster wound healing could grow from this," Granick noted. More knowledge regarding the 'talks' that happen between injured cells can give experts further insights into the human body system.  "Understanding these screams between wounded cells opens doors we didn’t know existed," Yu added.