Measurement of Ion Concentration in the Unstirred Boundary Layer with Open Patch-Clamp Pipette: Implications in Control of Ion Channels by Fluid Flow

Fluid flow is an important environmental stimulus that controls many physiological and pathological processes, such as fluid flow-induced vasodilation. Although the molecular mechanisms for the biological responses to fluid flow/shear force are not fully understood, fluid flow-mediated regulation of ion channel gating may contribute critically. Therefore, fluid flow/shear force sensitivity of ion channels has been studied using the patch-clamp technique. However, depending on the experimental protocol, the outcomes and interpretation of data can be erroneous. Here, we present experimental and theoretical evidence for fluid flow-related errors and provide methods for estimating, preventing, and correcting these errors. Changes in junction potential between the Ag/AgCl reference electrode and bathing fluid were measured with an open pipette filled with 3 M KCl. Fluid flow could then shift the liquid/metal junction potential to approximately 7 mV. Conversely, by measuring the voltage shift induced by fluid flow, we estimated the ion concentration in the unstirred boundary layer. In the static condition, the real ion concentrations adjacent to the Ag/AgCl reference electrode or ion channel inlet at the cell-membrane surface can reach as low as approximately 30% of that in the flow condition. Placing an agarose 3 M KCl bridge between the bathing fluid and reference electrode may have prevented this problem of junction potential shifting. However, the unstirred layer effect adjacent to the cell membrane surface could not be fixed in this way. Here, we provide a method for measuring real ion concentrations in the unstirred boundary layer with an open patch-clamp pipette, emphasizing the importance of using an agarose salt-bridge while studying fluid flow-induced regulation of ion currents. Therefore, this novel approach, which takes into consideration the real concentrations of ions in the unstirred boundary layer, may provide useful insight on the experimental design and data interpretation related to fluid shear stress regulation of ion channels.