Thermal Nociception of Ionic Skin: TRPV1 Ion Channel-Inspired Heat-Activated Dynamic Ionic Liquid

J Phys Chem Lett. 2022 Nov 3;13(43):10076-10084. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c02952. Epub 2022 Oct 21.

Abstract

The artificial reproduction of the tactile sensory function of natural skin is crucial for intelligent sensing, human-computer interaction, and medical health. Thermal nociception is an essential human tactile function to avoid noxious thermal stimuli, which depends on the specific heat-activation of the TRPV1 ion channel. Inspired by the TRPV1, a dynamic ionic liquid with heat-activation characteristics is designed and prepared, which can be activated at 45 °C, which is near the physiological noxious temperature, accompanied by a steep rise in electrical response signals. Its electrical behavior can be deemed to be the extreme version of temperature sensation similar to the natural thermal nociceptor. The heat-activation mechanism is confirmed as a feasible strategy to regulate the thermal response behavior of ions, and this reported dynamic ionic liquid has an unprecedented intrinsic temperature response sensitivity of up to 156.79%/°C. In consideration of the similarity between the heat-activated dynamic ionic liquid and the TRPV1 ion channel in terms of heat-activation characteristics, electrical output signal, and ultrathermal sensitivity, an all-liquid ionic skin with the ability of thermal nociception is further fabricated, which shows considerable potential to assist patients with tactile desensitization to avoid noxious thermal stimuli.

MeSH terms

  • Hot Temperature*
  • Humans
  • Ionic Liquids*
  • Ions
  • Nociception / physiology
  • TRPV Cation Channels

Substances

  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • Ionic Liquids
  • Ions
  • TRPV1 protein, human