# The potential impact of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) interactions on light-activated ion channels and pumps

## TL;DR

This study investigates how bacterial components like lipopolysaccharides might affect the function of light-activated ion channels used in optogenetics.

## Contribution

The study reveals that lipopolysaccharides influence ion gradients and membrane potential, indirectly impacting light-activated channels.

## Key findings

- Lipopolysaccharides did not directly block light-activated channels.
- Changes in membrane potential caused by lipopolysaccharides affected ion gradients.
- Timing of lipopolysaccharide exposure influenced channel activity.

## Abstract

Optogenetics, the expression of light-activated ion channels and pumps, has the potential in therapeutic treatments for various pathologies. Thus, it is of interest to investigate pharmacological agents, immunological responses, and disease states like bacterial septicemia to learn if light-activated ion channels and pumps are compromised. Bacterial septicemia may impede the function of light-activated channels due to direct actions of lipopolysaccharides. This study explored the effects of activating light-sensitive channels (channelrhodopsin and halorhodopsin) before, during, and after exposure of lipopolysaccharides. Lipopolysaccharide itself did not directly impede the action of LPS but varied because of the effect on ion gradients by changes in membrane potential by lipopolysaccharides.