Evaluation of the data of simple cells by electrorotation using square-topped fields

Cell Monitoring and Manipulation Systems (CMMSs) based on Glass Cell-Culture Chips (GC³s)

We developed different types of glass cell-culture chips (GC³s) for culturing cells for microscopic observation in open media-containing troughs or in microfluidic structures. Platinum sensor and manipulation structures were used to monitor physiological parameters and to allocate and permeabilize cells. Electro-thermal micro pumps distributed chemical compounds in the microfluidic systems. The integrated temperature sensors showed a linear, Pt1000-like behavior. Cell adhesion and proliferation were monitored using interdigitated electrode structures (IDESs). The cell-doubling times of primary murine embryonic neuronal cells (PNCs) were determined based on the IDES capacitance-peak shifts. The electrical activity of PNC networks was detected using multi-electrode arrays (MEAs). During seeding, the cells were dielectrophoretically allocated to individual MEAs to improve network structures. MEA pads with diameters of 15, 20, 25, and 35 µm were tested. After 3 weeks, the magnitudes of the determined action potentials were highest for pads of 25 µm in diameter and did not differ when the inter-pad distances were 100 or 170 µm. Using 25-µm diameter circular oxygen electrodes, the signal currents in the cell-culture media were found to range from approximately −0.08 nA (0% O₂) to −2.35 nA (21% O₂). It was observed that 60-nm thick silicon nitride-sensor layers were stable potentiometric pH sensors under cell-culture conditions for periods of days. Their sensitivity between pH 5 and 9 was as high as 45 mV per pH step. We concluded that sensorized GC³s are potential animal replacement systems for purposes such as toxicity pre-screening. For example, the effect of mefloquine, a medication used to treat malaria, on the electrical activity of neuronal cells was determined in this study using a GC³ system.

Effects of cell orientation and electric field frequency on the transmembrane potential induced in ellipsoidal cells

The transmembrane potential (Deltaphi) induced by external electric fields is important both in biotech applications and in new medical therapies. We analyzed the effects of AC field frequency and cell orientation for cells of a general ellipsoidal shape. Simplified equations were derived for the membrane surface points where the maximum Deltaphi is induced. The theoretical results were confirmed in experiments with three-axial chicken red blood cells (a:b:c=6.66 microm:4.17 microm:1.43 microm). Propidium iodide (PI) staining and cell lysis were detected after an AC electropermeabilization (EP) pulse. The critical field strength for both effects increased when the shorter axis of a cell was parallel to the field, as well as at higher field frequency and for shorter pulse durations. Nevertheless, data analysis based on our theoretical description revealed that the Deltaphi required is lower for the shorter axis, i.e. for smaller membrane curvatures. The critical Deltaphi was independent of the field frequency for a given axis, i.e. the field strength had to be increased with frequency to compensate for the membrane dispersion effect. Comparison of the critical field strengths of PI staining in a linear field aligned along semi-axis a (142 kV m(-1)) and a field rotating in the a-b plane (115 kV m(-1)) revealed the higher EP efficiency of rotating fields.

On the temperature dependence of the dielectric membrane properties of human red blood cells

Electrorotation (ER) spectra of human red blood cells (HRBCs) have been recorded in the frequency range from 10 kHz to 250 MHz in a 4-electrode microchip chamber. The cells were suspended at conductivities in the range from 0.02 to 3.00 S/m (corresponding to an ionic strength range from 1.6 to 343 mM) at temperatures between 10 degrees C and 35 degrees C. Generally, the characteristic frequencies as well as the rotation speeds of the first (membrane-dispersion) and second ER peaks increased with temperature. The rotation speed increase was largely correlated to the temperature dependence of the medium viscosity. Standard temperature dependencies were assumed for the conductivities and permittivities of cytoplasm, membrane, and external solution to explain the frequency shifts, starting from the cell parameters of Gimsa et al. [Gimsa et al., 1996, Biophys. J. 71: 495-506.]. The membrane capacitance was assumed to be temperature independent, based on the permittivity of alkyl-chains. Under these assumptions, the spectra could be well fitted only in a narrow temperature range around 20 degrees C. The temperature dependence of the first characteristic frequency was much stronger than predicted. In addition, around 15 degrees C, an anomalously high rotation speed was observed for the first peak at low external conductivities. Interestingly, this finding corresponds to the change in the chloride transport rate described by Brahm [Brahm, 1977, J. Gen. Physiol. 70: 283-306.].