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Eşmekaya MA, Gürsoy G, Coşkun A. The estimation of pore size distribution of electroporated MCF-7 cell membrane. Electromagn Biol Med 2024; 43:176-186. [PMID: 38900674 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2024.2366272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The size of the pores created by external electrical pulses is important for molecule delivery into the cell. The size of pores and their distribution on the cell membrane determine the efficiency of molecule transport into the cell. There are very few studies visualizing the presence of electropores. In this study, we aimed to investigate the size distribution of electropores that were created by high intensity and short duration electrical pulses on MCF-7 cell membrane. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize and characterize the membrane pores created by the external electric field. Structural changes on the surface of the electroporated cell membrane was observed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The size distribution of pore sizes was obtained by measuring the radius of 500 electropores. SEM imaging showed non-uniform patterning. The average radius of the electropores was 12 nm, 51.60% of pores were distributed within the range of 5 to 10 nm, and 81% of pores had radius below 15 nm. These results showed that microsecond (µs) high intensity electrical pulses cause the creation of heterogeneous nanopores on the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriç Arda Eşmekaya
- Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Güney Gürsoy
- Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırsehır, Turkey
| | - Alaaddin Coşkun
- Department of Biophysics, Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey
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2
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Guo F, Luo Z, Zhou W. Considering Joule heating in coupled electroporation and electrodeformation modeling of glioblastoma cells. Comput Biol Med 2024; 177:108678. [PMID: 38833796 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Cells exposed to a pulsed electric field undergo electroporation(EP) and electrodeformation(ED) under electric field stress, and a coupled model of EP and ED of glioblastoma(GBM) taking into account Joule heating is proposed. The model geometry is extracted from real cell boundaries, and the effects of Joule heating-induced temperature rise on the EP and ED processes are considered. The results show that the temperature rise will increase the cell's local conductivity, leading to a decrease in the transmembrane potential(TMP). The temperature rise also causes a decrease in the dynamic Young's modulus of the cell membrane, making the cell less resistant to deformation. In addition, GBM cells are more susceptible to EP in the middle portion of the cell and ED in the three tentacle portions under pulsed electric fields, and the cells undergo significant positional shifts. The ED of the nucleus is similar to spherical cells, but the degree of ED is smaller.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Guo
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, China.
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, China
| | - Weina Zhou
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, China
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3
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Bhuiyan MTI, Karal MAS, Orchi US, Ahmed N, Moniruzzaman M, Ahamed MK, Billah MM. Probability and kinetics of rupture and electrofusion in giant unilamellar vesicles under various frequencies of direct current pulses. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304345. [PMID: 38857287 PMCID: PMC11164401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation induces permanent permeabilization of lipid membranes of vesicles, resulting in vesicle rupture upon the application of a pulsed electric field. Electrofusion is a phenomenon wherein neighboring vesicles can be induced to fuse by exposing them to a pulsed electric field. We focus how the frequency of direct current (DC) pulses of electric field impacts rupture and electrofusion in cell-sized giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) prepared in a physiological buffer. The average time, probability, and kinetics of rupture and electrofusion in GUVs have been explored at frequency 500, 800, 1050, and 1250 Hz. The average time of rupture of many 'single GUVs' decreases with the increase in frequency, whereas electrofusion shows the opposite trend. At 500 Hz, the rupture probability stands at 0.45 ± 0.02, while the electrofusion probability is 0.71 ± 0.01. However, at 1250 Hz, the rupture probability increases to 0.69 ± 0.03, whereas the electrofusion probability decreases to 0.46 ± 0.03. Furthermore, when considering kinetics, at 500 Hz, the rate constant of rupture is (0.8 ± 0.1)×10-2 s-1, and the rate constant of fusion is (2.4 ± 0.1)×10-2 s-1. In contrast, at 1250 Hz, the rate constant of rupture is (2.3 ± 0.8)×10-2 s-1, and the rate constant of electrofusion is (1.0 ± 0.1)×10-2 s-1. These results are discussed by considering the electrical model of the lipid bilayer and the energy barrier of a prepore.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Urbi Shyamolima Orchi
- Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nazia Ahmed
- Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Moniruzzaman
- Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Kabir Ahamed
- Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety Division, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, Agargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Masum Billah
- Department of Physics, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
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4
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Muralidharan A, Boukany PE. Electrotransfer for nucleic acid and protein delivery. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:780-798. [PMID: 38102019 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Electrotransfer of nucleic acids and proteins has become crucial in biotechnology for gene augmentation and genome editing. This review explores the applications of electrotransfer in both ex vivo and in vivo scenarios, emphasizing biomedical uses. We provide insights into completed clinical trials and successful instances of nucleic acid and protein electrotransfer into therapeutically relevant cells such as immune cells and stem and progenitor cells. In addition, we delve into emerging areas of electrotransfer where nanotechnology and deep learning techniques overcome the limitations of traditional electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswin Muralidharan
- Department of Bionanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands; Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Pouyan E Boukany
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
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5
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Qian K, Wang Y, Lei Y, Yang Q, Yao C. An experimental and theoretical study on cell swelling for osmotic imbalance induced by electroporation. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 157:108637. [PMID: 38215652 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The cellular membrane serves as a pivotal barrier in regulating intra- and extracellular matter exchange. Disruption of this barrier through pulsed electric fields (PEFs) induces the transmembrane transport of ions and molecules, creating a concentration gradient that subsequently results in the imbalance of cellular osmolality. In this study, a multiphysics model was developed to simulate the electromechanical response of cells exposed to microsecond pulsed electric fields (μsPEFs). Within the proposed model, the diffusion coefficient of the cellular membrane for various ions was adjusted based on electropore density. Cellular osmolality was governed and described using Van't Hoff theory, subsequently converted to loop stress to dynamically represent the cell swelling process. Validation of the model was conducted through a hypotonic experiment and simulation at 200 mOsm/kg, revealing a 14.2% increase in the cell's equivalent radius, thereby confirming the feasibility of the cell mechanical model. With the transmembrane transport of ions induced by the applied μsPEF, the hoop stress acting on the cellular membrane reached 179.95 Pa, and the cell equivalent radius increased by 11.0% when the extra-cellular medium was supplied with normal saline. The multiphysics model established in this study accurately predicts the dynamic changes in cell volume resulting from osmotic imbalance induced by PEF action. This model holds theoretical significance, offering valuable references for research on drug delivery and tumor microenvironment modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174 Shazhengjie Road, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yancheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174 Shazhengjie Road, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yizhen Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174 Shazhengjie Road, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174 Shazhengjie Road, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Chenguo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, No.174 Shazhengjie Road, Chongqing 400044, China.
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Pavlin M, Škorja Milić N, Kandušer M, Pirkmajer S. Importance of the electrophoresis and pulse energy for siRNA-mediated gene silencing by electroporation in differentiated primary human myotubes. Biomed Eng Online 2024; 23:47. [PMID: 38750477 PMCID: PMC11097476 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-024-01239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrotransfection is based on application of high-voltage pulses that transiently increase membrane permeability, which enables delivery of DNA and RNA in vitro and in vivo. Its advantage in applications such as gene therapy and vaccination is that it does not use viral vectors. Skeletal muscles are among the most commonly used target tissues. While siRNA delivery into undifferentiated myoblasts is very efficient, electrotransfection of siRNA into differentiated myotubes presents a challenge. Our aim was to develop efficient protocol for electroporation-based siRNA delivery in cultured primary human myotubes and to identify crucial mechanisms and parameters that would enable faster optimization of electrotransfection in various cell lines. RESULTS We established optimal electroporation parameters for efficient siRNA delivery in cultured myotubes and achieved efficient knock-down of HIF-1α while preserving cells viability. The results show that electropermeabilization is a crucial step for siRNA electrotransfection in myotubes. Decrease in viability was observed for higher electric energy of the pulses, conversely lower pulse energy enabled higher electrotransfection silencing yield. Experimental data together with the theoretical analysis demonstrate that siRNA electrotransfer is a complex process where electropermeabilization, electrophoresis, siRNA translocation, and viability are all functions of pulsing parameters. However, despite this complexity, we demonstrated that pulse parameters for efficient delivery of small molecule such as PI, can be used as a starting point for optimization of electroporation parameters for siRNA delivery into cells in vitro if viability is preserved. CONCLUSIONS The optimized experimental protocol provides the basis for application of electrotransfer for silencing of various target genes in cultured human myotubes and more broadly for electrotransfection of various primary cell and cell lines. Together with the theoretical analysis our data offer new insights into mechanisms that underlie electroporation-based delivery of short RNA molecules, which can aid to faster optimisation of the pulse parameters in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Pavlin
- Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Group for Nano and Biotechnological Applications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Nives Škorja Milić
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maša Kandušer
- Group for Nano and Biotechnological Applications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Pharmacy Institute, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sergej Pirkmajer
- Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Park I, Choi S, Gwak Y, Kim J, Min G, Lim D, Lee SW. Microfluidic Electroporation Arrays for Investigating Electroporation-Induced Cellular Rupture Dynamics. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:242. [PMID: 38785716 PMCID: PMC11118139 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Electroporation is pivotal in bioelectrochemistry for cellular manipulation, with prominent applications in drug delivery and cell membrane studies. A comprehensive understanding of pore generation requires an in-depth analysis of the critical pore size and the corresponding energy barrier at the onset of cell rupture. However, many studies have been limited to basic models such as artificial membranes or theoretical simulations. Challenging this paradigm, our study pioneers using a microfluidic electroporation chip array. This tool subjects live breast cancer cell species to a diverse spectrum of alternating current electric field conditions, driving electroporation-induced cell rupture. We conclusively determined the rupture voltages across varying applied voltage loading rates, enabling an unprecedented characterization of electric cell rupture dynamics encompassing critical pore radius and energy barrier. Further bolstering our investigation, we probed cells subjected to cholesterol depletion via methyl-β-cyclodextrin and revealed a strong correlation with electroporation. This work not only elucidates the dynamics of electric rupture in live cell membranes but also sets a robust foundation for future explorations into the mechanisms and energetics of live cell electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insu Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea; (I.P.)
| | - Seungyeop Choi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02481, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Four Institute of Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngwoo Gwak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Jingwon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeongjun Min
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Danyou Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea; (I.P.)
| | - Sang Woo Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
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8
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Scuderi M, Dermol-Cerne J, Scancar J, Markovic S, Rems L, Miklavcic D. The equivalence of different types of electric pulses for electrochemotherapy with cisplatin - an in vitro study. Radiol Oncol 2024; 58:51-66. [PMID: 38378034 PMCID: PMC10878774 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2024-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a treatment involving the administration of chemotherapeutics drugs followed by the application of 8 square monopolar pulses of 100 μs duration at a repetition frequency of 1 Hz or 5000 Hz. However, there is increasing interest in using alternative types of pulses for ECT. The use of high-frequency short bipolar pulses has been shown to mitigate pain and muscle contractions. Conversely, the use of millisecond pulses is interesting when combining ECT with gene electrotransfer for the uptake of DNA-encoding proteins that stimulate the immune response with the aim of converting ECT from a local to systemic treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how alternative types of pulses affect the efficiency of the ECT. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed in vitro experiments, exposing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to conventional ECT pulses, high-frequency bipolar pulses, and millisecond pulses in the presence of different concentrations of cisplatin. We determined cisplatin uptake by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and cisplatin cytotoxicity by the clonogenic assay. RESULTS We observed that the three tested types of pulses potentiate the uptake and cytotoxicity of cisplatin in an equivalent manner, provided that the electric field is properly adjusted for each pulse type. Furthermore, we quantified that the number of cisplatin molecules, resulting in the eradication of most cells, was 2-7 × 107 per cell. CONCLUSIONS High-frequency bipolar pulses and millisecond pulses can potentially be used in ECT to reduce pain and muscle contraction and increase the effect of the immune response in combination with gene electrotransfer, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Scuderi
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Dermol-Cerne
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Scancar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stefan Markovic
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lea Rems
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavcic
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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9
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Sahu P, Camarillo IG, Sundararajan R. Efficacy of metformin and electrical pulses in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:54-73. [PMID: 38464382 PMCID: PMC10918234 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive subset of breast cancer, with limited treatment options, due to the lack of three commonly targeted receptors, which merits the need for novel treatments for TNBC. Towards this need, the use of metformin (Met), the most widely used type-2 diabetes drug worldwide, was explored as a repurposed anticancer agent. Cancer being a metabolic disease, the modulation of two crucial metabolites, glucose, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), is studied in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, using Met in the presence of electrical pulses (EP) to enhance the drug efficacy. Methods MDA-MB-231, human TNBC cells were treated with Met in the presence of EP, with various concentrations Met of 1 mmol/L, 2.5 mmol/L, 5 mmol/L, and 10 mmol/L. EP of 500 V/cm, 800 V/cm, and 1,000 V/cm (with a pulse width of 100 µs at 1 s intervals) were applied to TNBC and the impact of these two treatments was studied. Various assays, including cell viability, microscopic inspection, glucose, ROS, and wound healing assay, were performed to characterize the response of the cells to the combination treatment. Results Combining 1,000 V/cm with 5 mmol/L Met yielded cell viability as low as 42.6% at 24 h. The glucose level was reduced by 5.60-fold and the ROS levels were increased by 9.56-fold compared to the control, leading to apoptotic cell death. Conclusions The results indicate the enhanced anticancer effect of Met in the presence of electric pulses. The cell growth is inhibited by suppressing glucose levels and elevated ROS. This shows a synergistic interplay between electroporation, Met, glucose, and ROS metabolic alterations. The results show promises for combinational therapy in TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Sahu
- School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ignacio G. Camarillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Raji Sundararajan
- School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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10
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Rems L, Rainot A, Wiczew D, Szulc N, Tarek M. Cellular excitability and ns-pulsed electric fields: Potential involvement of lipid oxidation in the action potential activation. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 155:108588. [PMID: 37879163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies showed that nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) can activate voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) and trigger action potentials (APs) in excitable cells. Under physiological conditions, VGICs' activation takes place on time scales of the order 10-100 µs. These time scales are considerably longer than the applied pulse duration, thus activation of VGICs by nsPEFs remains puzzling and there is no clear consensus on the mechanisms involved. Here we propose that changes in local electrical properties of the cell membrane due to lipid oxidation might be implicated in AP activation. We first use MD simulations of model lipid bilayers with increasing concentration of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products and demonstrate that oxidation not only increases the bilayer conductance, but also the bilayer capacitance. Equipped with MD-based characterization of electrical properties of oxidized bilayers, we then resort to AP modelling at the cell level with Hodgkin-Huxley-type models. We confirm that a local change in membrane properties, particularly the increase in membrane conductance, due to formation of oxidized membrane lesions can be high enough to trigger an AP, even when no external stimulus is applied. However, excessive accumulation of oxidized lesions (or other conductive defects) can lead to altered cell excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Rems
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | | | - Daniel Wiczew
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Natalia Szulc
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Mounir Tarek
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France.
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11
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Batista Napotnik T, Kos B, Jarm T, Miklavčič D, O'Connor RP, Rems L. Genetically engineered HEK cells as a valuable tool for studying electroporation in excitable cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:720. [PMID: 38184741 PMCID: PMC10771480 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-51073-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Electric pulses used in electroporation-based treatments have been shown to affect the excitability of muscle and neuronal cells. However, understanding the interplay between electroporation and electrophysiological response of excitable cells is complex, since both ion channel gating and electroporation depend on dynamic changes in the transmembrane voltage (TMV). In this study, a genetically engineered human embryonic kidney cells expressing NaV1.5 and Kir2.1, a minimal complementary channels required for excitability (named S-HEK), was characterized as a simple cell model used for studying the effects of electroporation in excitable cells. S-HEK cells and their non-excitable counterparts (NS-HEK) were exposed to 100 µs pulses of increasing electric field strength. Changes in TMV, plasma membrane permeability, and intracellular Ca2+ were monitored with fluorescence microscopy. We found that a very mild electroporation, undetectable with the classical propidium assay but associated with a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+, can already have a profound effect on excitability close to the electrostimulation threshold, as corroborated by multiscale computational modelling. These results are of great relevance for understanding the effects of pulse delivery on cell excitability observed in context of the rapidly developing cardiac pulsed field ablation as well as other electroporation-based treatments in excitable tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Batista Napotnik
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška Cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bor Kos
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška Cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomaž Jarm
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška Cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška Cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rodney P O'Connor
- École des Mines de Saint-Étienne, Department of Bioelectronics, Georges Charpak Campus, Centre Microélectronique de Provence, 880 Route de Mimet, 13120, Gardanne, France
| | - Lea Rems
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška Cesta 25, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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12
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Rembiałkowska N, Szlasa W, Radzevičiūtė-Valčiukė E, Kulbacka J, Novickij V. Negative effects of cancellation during nanosecond range High-Frequency calcium based electrochemotherapy in vitro. Int J Pharm 2023; 648:123611. [PMID: 37977287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Drug delivery using nanosecond pulsed electric fields is a new branch of electroporation-based treatments, which potentially can substitute European standard operating procedures for electrochemotherapy. In this work, for the first time, we characterize the effects of ultra-fast repetition frequency (1-2.5 MHz) nanosecond pulses (5-9 kV/cm, 200 and 400 ns) in the context of nano-electrochemotherapy with calcium. Additionally, we investigate the feasibility of bipolar symmetric (↑200 ns + ↓200 ns) and asymmetric (↑200 ns + ↓400 ns) nanosecond protocols for calcium delivery. The effects of bipolar cancellation and the influence of interphase delay (200 ns) are overviewed. Human lung cancer cell lines A549 and H69AR were used as a model. It was shown that unipolar pulses delivered at high frequency are effective for electrochemotherapy with a significant improvement in efficiency when the delay between separate pulses is reduced. Bipolar symmetric pulses trigger the cancellation phenomenon limiting applications for drug delivery and can be compensated by the asymmetry of the pulse (↑200 ns + ↓400 ns or ↑400 ns + ↓200 ns). The results of this study can be successfully used to derive a new generation of nsPEF protocols for successful electrochemotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rembiałkowska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Szlasa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Eivina Radzevičiūtė-Valčiukė
- Faculty of Electronics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania; State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Vitalij Novickij
- Faculty of Electronics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania; State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Department of Immunology and Bioelectrochemistry, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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13
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Andrade DLLS, Pintarelli GB, Rosa JV, Paro IB, Pagano PJT, Silva JCN, Suzuki DOH. Musa acuminata as electroporation model. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 154:108549. [PMID: 37639773 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and Irreversible electroporation (IRE) are cancer treatments based on electric field distribution in tissues. Solanum tuberosum (potato tissue) phantom is known to mimic changes in the electrical conductivity that occur in animal tissues during electroporation (EP). Electric field distribution is assessed through enzymatic staining. However, the 24-h wait for this assessment could slow agile response scenarios. We developed and validated the Musa acuminata (cavendish banana) conductivity model, which quickly evaluates EP by tissue staining. We investigated the frequency response of the tissue using impedance spectroscopy analysis, conductivity changes, and enzymatic staining. We optimized three usual EP models: adapted Gompertz, smoothed Heaviside, and the sigmoid or logistic function. We found dielectric parameters in banana tissue similar to those in potato (electrical conductivity of 0.035 S/m and relative permittivity of 4.1×104). The coefficients of determination R2 were 99.94% (Gompertz), 99.85% (Heaviside), and 99.58% (sigmoid). The sigmoid and Heaviside functions described the calibration and validation electric currents with 95% confidence. We observed the electroporated areas in bananas 3h30m after EP. Staining was significant after 450 V/cm. The conductivity model of Musa acuminata suits treatment planning, hardware development, and training scenarios. Banana phantom supports the 3Rs practice and is a reliable alternative for potato in EP studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella L L S Andrade
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Guilherme B Pintarelli
- Department of Control and Automation Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil
| | - Juliana V Rosa
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Isabela B Paro
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Pedro J T Pagano
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Julia C N Silva
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Daniela O H Suzuki
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
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14
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Qian K, Zhong Z. Research frontiers of electroporation-based applications in cancer treatment: a bibliometric analysis. BIOMED ENG-BIOMED TE 2023; 68:445-456. [PMID: 37185096 DOI: 10.1515/bmt-2023-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Electroporation, the breakdown of the biomembrane induced by external electric fields, has increasingly become a research hotspot for its promising related methods in various kinds of cancers. CONTENT In this article, we utilized CiteSpace 6.1.R2 to perform a bibliometric analysis on the research foundation and frontier of electroporation-based applications in cancer therapy. A total of 3,966 bibliographic records were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection for the bibliometric analysis. Sersa G. and Mir L. M. are the most indispensable researchers in this field, and the University of Ljubljana of Slovenia is a prominent institution. By analyzing references and keywords, we found that, with a lower recurrence rate, fewer severe adverse events, and a higher success rate, irreversible electroporation, gene electrotransfer, and electrochemotherapy are the three main research directions that may influence the future treatment protocol of cancers. SUMMARY This article visualized relevant data to synthesize scientific research on electroporation-based cancer therapy, providing helpful suggestions for further investigations on electroporation. OUTLOOK Although electroporation-based technologies have been proven as promising tools for cancer treatment, its radical mechanism is still opaque and their commercialization and universalization need further efforts from peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Qian
- Department of High-voltage and Insulation, School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zilong Zhong
- Research Institute of Foreign Languages, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China
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15
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Guedert R, Brasil Pintarelli G, Mena Barreto Silva FR, Ota Hisayasu Suzuki D. Effects of pulse repetition rate in static electrochemotherapy models. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 153:108499. [PMID: 37413821 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation alters cell membrane structure and tissue electrical properties by short and intense pulsed electric fields (PEF). Static mathematical models are often used to explain the change in electrical properties of tissues caused by electroporation. Electric pulse repetition rate may play an important role, as tissue dielectric dispersion, electroporation dynamics, and Joule heating may affect the electrical properties. In this work, we investigate the effects on the magnitude of the electric current when the repetition rate of the standard electrochemotherapy protocol is increased. Liver, oral mucosa, and muscle tissues were studied. Ex vivo animal experiments show that the magnitude of the electric current increases when the repetition rate is changed from 1 Hz to 5 kHz (10.8% for liver, 5.8% for oral mucosa, and 4.7% for muscle). Although a correction factor could reduce the error to less than 1%, dynamic models seem to be necessary to analyze different protocol signatures. Authors should be aware that static models and experimental results can only be compared if they use exactly the same PEF signature. The repetition rate is a key information to consider in the pretreatment computer study because the current at 1 Hz PEF differs from a 5 kHz PEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Guedert
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Brasil Pintarelli
- Department of Control and Automation Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
| | - Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva
- Hormone and Signals Transduction Laboratory, Núcleo de Bioeletricidade Celular (NUBIOCEL), Departamento de Bioquímica, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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16
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Hartl S, Reinsch N, Füting A, Neven K. Pearls and Pitfalls of Pulsed Field Ablation. Korean Circ J 2023; 53:273-293. [PMID: 37161743 PMCID: PMC10172271 DOI: 10.4070/kcj.2023.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulsed field ablation (PFA) was recently rediscovered as an emerging treatment modality for the ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. Ultra-short high voltage pulses are leading to irreversible electroporation of cardiac cells subsequently resulting in cell death. Current literature of PFA for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) consistently reported excellent acute and long-term efficacy along with a very low adverse event rate. The undeniable benefit of the novel ablation technique is that cardiac cells are more susceptible to electrical fields whereas surrounding structures such as the pulmonary veins, the phrenic nerve or the esophagus are not, or if at all, minimally affected, which results in a favorable safety profile that is expected to be superior to the current standard of care without compromising efficacy. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of electroporation are not yet entirely understood on a cellular basis and pulsed electrical field protocols of different manufactures are not comparable among one another and require their own validation for each indication. Importantly, randomized controlled trials and comparative data to current standard of care modalities, such as radiofrequency- or cryoballoon ablation, are still missing. This review focuses on the "pearls" and "pitfalls" of PFA, a technology that has the potential to become the future leading energy source for PVI and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hartl
- Department of Electrophysiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Nico Reinsch
- Department of Electrophysiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Anna Füting
- Department of Electrophysiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Kars Neven
- Department of Electrophysiology, Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany.
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Scuderi M, Dermol-Černe J, Batista Napotnik T, Chaigne S, Bernus O, Benoist D, Sigg DC, Rems L, Miklavčič D. Characterization of Experimentally Observed Complex Interplay between Pulse Duration, Electrical Field Strength, and Cell Orientation on Electroporation Outcome Using a Time-Dependent Nonlinear Numerical Model. Biomolecules 2023; 13:727. [PMID: 37238597 PMCID: PMC10216437 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroporation is a biophysical phenomenon involving an increase in cell membrane permeability to molecules after a high-pulsed electric field is applied to the tissue. Currently, electroporation is being developed for non-thermal ablation of cardiac tissue to treat arrhythmias. Cardiomyocytes have been shown to be more affected by electroporation when oriented with their long axis parallel to the applied electric field. However, recent studies demonstrate that the preferentially affected orientation depends on the pulse parameters. To gain better insight into the influence of cell orientation on electroporation with different pulse parameters, we developed a time-dependent nonlinear numerical model where we calculated the induced transmembrane voltage and pores creation in the membrane due to electroporation. The numerical results show that the onset of electroporation is observed at lower electric field strengths for cells oriented parallel to the electric field for pulse durations ≥10 µs, and cells oriented perpendicular for pulse durations ~100 ns. For pulses of ~1 µs duration, electroporation is not very sensitive to cell orientation. Interestingly, as the electric field strength increases beyond the onset of electroporation, perpendicular cells become more affected irrespective of pulse duration. The results obtained using the developed time-dependent nonlinear model are corroborated by in vitro experimental measurements. Our study will contribute to the process of further development and optimization of pulsed-field ablation and gene therapy in cardiac treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Scuderi
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Dermol-Černe
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Batista Napotnik
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sebastien Chaigne
- INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, IHU Liryc, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Bernus
- INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, IHU Liryc, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - David Benoist
- INSERM, CRCTB, U 1045, IHU Liryc, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Daniel C. Sigg
- Medtronic, Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Minneapolis, MN 55105, USA
| | - Lea Rems
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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