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Mirshahi S, Vahedi B, Yazdani SO, Golab M, Sazgarnia A. Calculating transmembrane voltage on the electric pulse-affected cancerous cell membrane: using molecular dynamics and finite element simulations. J Mol Model 2024; 30:221. [PMID: 38904863 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-024-06012-0] [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: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Electroporation is a technique that creates electrically generated pores in the cell membrane by modifying transmembrane potential. In this work, the finite element method (FEM) was used to examine the induced transmembrane voltage (ITV) of a spherical-shaped MCF-7 cell, allowing researchers to determine the stationary ITV. A greater ITV than the critical value causes permeabilization of the membrane. Furthermore, the present study shows how a specific surface conductivity can act as a stand-in for the thin layer that constitutes a cell membrane as the barrier between extracellular and intracellular environments. Additionally, the distribution of ITV on the cell membrane and its maximum value were experimentally evaluated for a range of applied electric fields. Consequently, the entire cell surface area was electroporated 66% and 68% for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and FEM, respectively, when the external electric field of 1500 V/cm was applied to the cell suspension using the previously indicated numerical methods. Furthermore, the lipid bilayers' molecular structure was changed, which led to the development of hydrophilic holes with a radius of 1.33 nm. Applying MD and FEM yielded threshold values for transmembrane voltage of 700 and 739 mV, respectively. METHOD Using MD simulations of palmitoyloleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC), pores in cell membranes exposed to external electric fields were numerically investigated. The dependence on the electric field was estimated and developed, and the amount of the electroporated cell surface area matches the applied external electric field. To investigate more, a mathematical model based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is employed to predict the percent cell viability of cancerous cells after applying four pulses during electroporation. For MD simulations, ArgusLab, VMD, and GROMACS software packages were used. Moreover, for FEM analysis, COMSOL software package was used. Also, it is worth mentioning that for mathematical model, MATLAB software is used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salim Mirshahi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, United States of America.
| | - Behzad Vahedi
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Post Office Box: 1983969411, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Saeed Oraee Yazdani
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Post Office Box: 1983969411, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahdi Golab
- Department of Computer Engineering, Neyshabur Branch, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Ameneh Sazgarnia
- Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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2
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Jiang C. A timely research guide on liquid food treatment using pulsed electric field. Phys Life Rev 2024; 48:111-112. [PMID: 38184946 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2023.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Chunqi Jiang
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
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3
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Ai Y, Bertani P, Yang H, Lee S, Lu W, Lee J. A rapid and efficient method using electroporation for releasing intracellular microcystin toxins from cultured and naturally occurring cyanobacterial cells in lake water. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115890. [PMID: 38101057 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In cyanotoxin measurements, effective release of intracellular cyanotoxins through cell lysis is pivotal. The conventional method for cell lysis is repeated freeze-thaw (F-T), which has several disadvantages, including poor reproducibility since it is operator and equipment dependency and time-consuming. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method was developed using irreversible electroporation, reducing quantification time by over 6 h compared to F-T. Focusing on microcystins (MCs), we developed the most optimal electroporation medium (50 mM Tris (pH 7.0) with 0.5 % SDS) and determined the optimal intensity of electroporation using Microcystis culture. Microcystis cell rupture was validated by scanning electron microscopy. COMSOL simulations mirrored experimental conditions. Compared to F-T, this new method generated an average 13.7 % (6.7 ppb) more MCs from lake water samples (p ≥ 0.05). This innovation, surpassing the time-consuming F-T process, emerges as a valuable tool for timely decision-making in water safety advisory and cyanotoxin management in various settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehan Ai
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Paul Bertani
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Seungjun Lee
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Pukyong National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Wu Lu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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4
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Mo F, Zhou J, Yu C, Liu F, Jumili M, Wu Y, Xie X. Decoupling locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) intensity and copper release by applying asymmetric electric pulses for water disinfection. WATER RESEARCH X 2023; 21:100206. [PMID: 38098885 PMCID: PMC10719566 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Copper has well-known anti-microbial properties but is typically not considered for drinking water disinfection because of its health risk to human at efficient biocidal concentrations. Locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) is a cutting-edge technique that aims to inactivate bacteria by generating aqueous pores on the cell membrane through the application of a strong electric field. LEEFT can also increase the permeability of the cell membrane, which promotes the uptake of chemical disinfectants to reduce the required biocidal concentrations. Previously, a coaxial-electrode copper ionization cell (CECIC) was developed to combine copper disinfection with LEEFT, demonstrating superior disinfection efficiency with low effluent copper concentrations (<0.5 mg/L). However, using direct-current (DC) voltages results in a dilemma that a higher voltage is necessary for effective LEEFT disinfection, but a lower voltage is required to limit Cu release. Here, asymmetric electric pulses are employed to decouple the LEEFT intensity from copper release in the CECIC. In this case, LEEFT intensity is primarily determined by the pulse amplitude while the copper release is controlled by the pulse offset. We have demonstrated that the use of asymmetric electric pulses achieves significantly higher inactivation efficiency compared to the DC voltages with the similar level of Cu release. For the water with conductivity similar to tap water (∼100 μS/cm), a high inactivation efficiency of 4.7-log is achieved with only 0.49 mg/L copper release. These findings highlight the potential of asymmetric electric pulses as a promising alternative to DC voltages for the practical application of LEEFT-Cu systems in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyang Mo
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
| | - Jianfeng Zhou
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
| | - Cecilia Yu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
| | - Feifei Liu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
| | - Manhitha Jumili
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
| | - Yuxiao Wu
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
| | - Xing Xie
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
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5
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Campelo SN, Huang PH, Buie CR, Davalos RV. Recent Advancements in Electroporation Technologies: From Bench to Clinic. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2023; 25:77-100. [PMID: 36854260 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-110220-023800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, the increased adoption of electroporation-based technologies has led to an expansion of clinical research initiatives. Electroporation has been utilized in molecular biology for mammalian and bacterial transfection; for food sanitation; and in therapeutic settings to increase drug uptake, for gene therapy, and to eliminate cancerous tissues. We begin this article by discussing the biophysics required for understanding the concepts behind the cell permeation phenomenon that is electroporation. We then review nano- and microscale single-cell electroporation technologies before scaling up to emerging in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina N Campelo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA;
| | - Po-Hsun Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cullen R Buie
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rafael V Davalos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA;
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6
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Pinotsis DA, Fridman G, Miller EK. Cytoelectric Coupling: Electric fields sculpt neural activity and "tune" the brain's infrastructure. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 226:102465. [PMID: 37210066 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We propose and present converging evidence for the Cytoelectric Coupling Hypothesis: Electric fields generated by neurons are causal down to the level of the cytoskeleton. This could be achieved via electrodiffusion and mechanotransduction and exchanges between electrical, potential and chemical energy. Ephaptic coupling organizes neural activity, forming neural ensembles at the macroscale level. This information propagates to the neuron level, affecting spiking, and down to molecular level to stabilize the cytoskeleton, "tuning" it to process information more efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris A Pinotsis
- Centre for Mathematical Neuroscience and Psychology and Department of Psychology, City -University of London, London EC1V 0HB, United Kingdom; The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Gene Fridman
- Departments of Otolaryngology, Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Earl K Miller
- The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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7
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Zare F, Ghasemi N, Bansal N, Hosano H. Advances in pulsed electric stimuli as a physical method for treating liquid foods. Phys Life Rev 2023; 44:207-266. [PMID: 36791571 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2023.01.007] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for alternative technologies that can deliver safe and nutritious foods at lower costs as compared to conventional processes. Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology has been utilised for a plethora of different applications in the life and physical sciences, such as gene/drug delivery in medicine and extraction of bioactive compounds in food science and technology. PEF technology for treating liquid foods involves engineering principles to develop the equipment, and quantitative biochemistry and microbiology techniques to validate the process. There are numerous challenges to address for its application in liquid foods such as the 5-log pathogen reduction target in food safety, maintaining the food quality, and scale up of this physical approach for industrial integration. Here, we present the engineering principles associated with pulsed electric fields, related inactivation models of microorganisms, electroporation and electropermeabilization theory, to increase the quality and safety of liquid foods; including water, milk, beer, wine, fruit juices, cider, and liquid eggs. Ultimately, we discuss the outlook of the field and emphasise research gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzan Zare
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Negareh Ghasemi
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nidhi Bansal
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Hamid Hosano
- Biomaterials and Bioelectrics Department, Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan.
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8
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Mantri D, Wymenga L, van Turnhout J, van Zeijl H, Zhang G. Manipulation, Sampling and Inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Using Nonuniform Electric Fields on Micro-Fabricated Platforms: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:345. [PMID: 36838044 PMCID: PMC9967285 DOI: 10.3390/mi14020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Micro-devices that use electric fields to trap, analyze and inactivate micro-organisms vary in concept, design and application. The application of electric fields to manipulate and inactivate bacteria and single-celled organisms has been described extensively in the literature. By contrast, the effect of such fields on viruses is not well understood. This review explores the possibility of using existing methods for manipulating and inactivating larger viruses and bacteria, for smaller viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. It also provides an overview of the theoretical background. The findings may be used to implement new ideas and frame experimental parameters that optimize the manipulation, sampling and inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 electrically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devashish Mantri
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Luutzen Wymenga
- Department Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jan van Turnhout
- Department Material Science Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Henk van Zeijl
- Department Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Guoqi Zhang
- Department Microelectronics, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
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9
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Novickij V, Rembiałkowska N, Kasperkiewicz-Wasilewska P, Baczyńska D, Rzechonek A, Błasiak P, Kulbacka J. Pulsed electric fields with calcium ions stimulate oxidative alternations and lipid peroxidation in human non-small cell lung cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:184055. [PMID: 36152727 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) are commonly used to facilitate the delivery of various molecules, including pharmaceuticals, into living cells. However, the applied protocols still require optimization regarding the conditions of the permeabilization process, i.e., pulse waveform, voltage, duration, and the number of pulses in a burst. This study highlights the importance of electrochemical processes involved in the electropermeabilization process, known as electroporation. This research investigated the effects of electroporation on human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549) in potassium (SKM) and HEPES-based buffers (SHM) using sub-microsecond and microsecond range pulses. The experiments were performed using 100 ns - 100 μs (0.6-15 kV/cm) bursts with 8 pulses in a sequence. It was shown that depending on the buffer composition, the susceptibility of cells to PEF varies, while calcium enhances the cytotoxic effects of PEF, if high cell membrane permeabilization is triggered. It was also determined that electroporation with calcium ions induces oxidative stress in cells, including lipid peroxidation (LPO), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and neutral lipid droplets. Here, we demonstrated that calcium ions and optimized pulse parameters could potentiate PEF efficacy and oxidative alternations in lung cancer cells. Thus, the anticancer efficacy of PEF in lung cancers in combination with standard cytostatic drugs or calcium ions should be considered, but this issue still requires in-depth detailed studies with in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitalij Novickij
- Institute of High Magnetic Fields, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Nina Rembiałkowska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Dagmara Baczyńska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Adam Rzechonek
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Grabiszynska 105, 53-430 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Błasiak
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Grabiszynska 105, 53-430 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
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10
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Zhang H, Shen Z, Zhao Y, Du L, Deng Z. Dynamical Mechanism Analysis of Three Neuroregulatory Strategies on the Modulation of Seizures. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13652. [PMID: 36362443 PMCID: PMC9657301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper attempts to explore and compare the regulatory mechanisms of optogenetic stimulation (OS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and electromagnetic induction on epilepsy. Based on the Wilson-Cowan model, we first demonstrate that the external input received by excitatory and inhibitory neural populations can induce rich dynamic bifurcation behaviors such as Hopf bifurcation, and make the system exhibit epileptic and normal states. Then, both OS and DBS are shown to be effective in controlling the epileptic state to a normal low-level state, and the stimulus parameters have a broad effective range. However, electromagnetic induction cannot directly control epilepsy to this desired state, even if it can significantly reduce the oscillation frequency of neural populations. One main difference worth noting is that the high spatiotemporal specificity of OS allows it to target inhibitory neuronal populations, whereas DBS and electromagnetic induction can only stimulate excitatory as well as inhibitory neuronal populations together. Next, the propagation behavior of epilepsy is explored under a typical three-node feedback loop structure. An increase in coupling strength accelerates and exacerbates epileptic activity in other brain regions. Finally, OS and DBS applied to the epileptic focus play similar positive roles in controlling the behavior of the area of seizure propagation, while electromagnetic induction still only achieves unsatisfactory effects. It is hoped that these dynamical results can provide insights into the treatment of epilepsy as well as other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghui Zhang
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Dynamics and Control of Complex Systems, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Zhuan Shen
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Dynamics and Control of Complex Systems, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Yuzhi Zhao
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Dynamics and Control of Complex Systems, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Lin Du
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Dynamics and Control of Complex Systems, Xi’an 710072, China
| | - Zichen Deng
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Dynamics and Control of Complex Systems, Xi’an 710072, China
- School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China
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11
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Ye H, Hendee J, Ruan J, Zhirova A, Ye J, Dima M. Neuron matters: neuromodulation with electromagnetic stimulation must consider neurons as dynamic identities. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2022; 19:116. [PMID: 36329492 PMCID: PMC9632094 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-022-01094-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulation with electromagnetic stimulation is widely used for the control of abnormal neural activity, and has been proven to be a valuable alternative to pharmacological tools for the treatment of many neurological diseases. Tremendous efforts have been focused on the design of the stimulation apparatus (i.e., electrodes and magnetic coils) that delivers the electric current to the neural tissue, and the optimization of the stimulation parameters. Less attention has been given to the complicated, dynamic properties of the neurons, and their context-dependent impact on the stimulation effects. This review focuses on the neuronal factors that influence the outcomes of electromagnetic stimulation in neuromodulation. Evidence from multiple levels (tissue, cellular, and single ion channel) are reviewed. Properties of the neural elements and their dynamic changes play a significant role in the outcome of electromagnetic stimulation. This angle of understanding yields a comprehensive perspective of neural activity during electrical neuromodulation, and provides insights in the design and development of novel stimulation technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- grid.164971.c0000 0001 1089 6558Department of Biology, Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660 USA
| | - Jenna Hendee
- grid.164971.c0000 0001 1089 6558Department of Biology, Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660 USA
| | - Joyce Ruan
- grid.164971.c0000 0001 1089 6558Department of Biology, Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660 USA
| | - Alena Zhirova
- grid.164971.c0000 0001 1089 6558Department of Biology, Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660 USA
| | - Jayden Ye
- grid.164971.c0000 0001 1089 6558Department of Biology, Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660 USA
| | - Maria Dima
- grid.164971.c0000 0001 1089 6558Department of Biology, Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660 USA
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12
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Abstract
Electroporation (EP) is a commonly used strategy to increase cell permeability for intracellular cargo delivery or irreversible cell membrane disruption using electric fields. In recent years, EP performance has been improved by shrinking electrodes and device structures to the microscale. Integration with microfluidics has led to the design of devices performing static EP, where cells are fixed in a defined region, or continuous EP, where cells constantly pass through the device. Each device type performs superior to conventional, macroscale EP devices while providing additional advantages in precision manipulation (static EP) and increased throughput (continuous EP). Microscale EP is gentle on cells and has enabled more sensitive assaying of cells with novel applications. In this Review, we present the physical principles of microscale EP devices and examine design trends in recent years. In addition, we discuss the use of reversible and irreversible EP in the development of therapeutics and analysis of intracellular contents, among other noteworthy applications. This Review aims to inform and encourage scientists and engineers to expand the use of efficient and versatile microscale EP technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Eun Choi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Harrison Khoo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Soojung Claire Hur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, 401 North Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, United States
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13
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Wang F, Lin S, Yu Z, Wang Y, Zhang D, Cao C, Wang Z, Cui D, Chen D. Recent advances in microfluidic-based electroporation techniques for cell membranes. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:2624-2646. [PMID: 35775630 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00122e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation is a fundamental technique for applications in biotechnology. To date, the ongoing research on cell membrane electroporation has explored its mechanism, principles and potential applications. Therefore, in this review, we first discuss the primary electroporation mechanism to help establish a clear framework. Within the context of its principles, several critical terms are highlighted to present a better understanding of the theory of aqueous pores. Different degrees of electroporation can be used in different applications. Thus, we discuss the electric factors (shock strength, shock duration, and shock frequency) responsible for the degree of electroporation. In addition, finding an effective electroporation detection method is of great significance to optimize electroporation experiments. Accordingly, we summarize several primary electroporation detection methods in the following sections. Finally, given the development of micro- and nano-technology has greatly promoted the innovation of microfluidic-based electroporation devices, we also present the recent advances in microfluidic-based electroporation devices. Also, the challenges and outlook of the electroporation technique for cell membrane electroporation are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Key Lab. for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Shujing Lin
- School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Key Lab. for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Zixian Yu
- School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Key Lab. for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yanpu Wang
- School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Key Lab. for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Di Zhang
- Centre for Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices (AEMD), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Chengxi Cao
- School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Daxiang Cui
- School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Key Lab. for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Di Chen
- School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
- Key Lab. for Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology of Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
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14
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Scuderi M, Dermol-Černe J, Amaral da Silva C, Muralidharan A, Boukany PE, Rems L. Models of electroporation and the associated transmembrane molecular transport should be revisited. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 147:108216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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15
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Numerical study on the effect of capacitively coupled electrical stimulation on biological cells considering model uncertainties. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4744. [PMID: 35304501 PMCID: PMC8933463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08279-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of biological samples such as tissues and cell cultures attracts growing attention due to its capability of enhancing cell activity, proliferation, and differentiation. Eventually, a profound knowledge of the underlying mechanisms paves the way for innovative therapeutic devices. Capacitive coupling is one option of delivering electric fields to biological samples that has advantages regarding biocompatibility. However, its biological mechanism of interaction is not well understood. Experimental findings could be related to voltage-gated channels, which are triggered by changes of the transmembrane potential. Numerical simulations by the finite element method provide a possibility to estimate the transmembrane potential. Since a full resolution of the cell membrane within a macroscopic model would lead to prohibitively expensive models, we suggest the adaptation of an approximate finite element method. Starting from a basic 2.5D model, the chosen method is validated and applied to realistic experimental situations. To understand the influence of the dielectric properties on the modelling outcome, uncertainty quantification techniques are employed. A frequency-dependent influence of the uncertain dielectric properties of the cell membrane on the modelling outcome is revealed. This may have practical implications for future experimental studies. Our methodology can be easily adapted for computational studies relying on experimental data.
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16
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Electrofusion of cells with different diameters by generating asymmetrical electric field in the microwell array. ANAL SCI 2022; 38:235-239. [DOI: 10.1007/s44211-022-00072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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17
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Havelka D, Zhernov I, Teplan M, Lánský Z, Chafai DE, Cifra M. Lab-on-chip microscope platform for electro-manipulation of a dense microtubules network. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2462. [PMID: 35165315 PMCID: PMC8844285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06255-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is promising for the manipulation of biomolecular components and has potential applications in biomedicine and bionanotechnology. Microtubules, nanoscopic tubular structures self-assembled from protein tubulin, serve as important components in basic cellular processes as well as in engineered biomolecular nanosystems. Recent studies in cell-based models have demonstrated that PEF affects the cytoskeleton, including microtubules. However, the direct effects of PEF on microtubules are not clear. In this work, we developed a lab-on-a-chip platform integrated with a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope system to elucidate the PEF effects on a microtubules network mimicking the cell-like density of microtubules. The designed platform enables the delivery of short (microsecond-scale), high-field-strength (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\le$$\end{document}≤ 25 kV/cm) electric pulses far from the electrode/electrolyte interface. We showed that microsecond PEF is capable of overcoming the non-covalent microtubule bonding force to the substrate and translocating the microtubules. This microsecond PEF effect combined with macromolecular crowding led to aggregation of microtubules. Our results expand the toolbox of bioelectronics technologies and electromagnetic tools for the manipulation of biomolecular nanoscopic systems and contribute to the understanding of microsecond PEF effects on a microtubule cytoskeleton.
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18
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Kurata K, Shimada K, Takamatsu H. Application of the Taguchi method to explore a robust condition of tumor-treating field treatment. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262133. [PMID: 35061762 PMCID: PMC8782397 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-treating fields have potential as minimally invasive cancer treatment. This study aimed to explore the optimum tumor-treating field conditions that minimize unpredicted variations in therapeutic outcomes resulting from differences in cell size and electrical properties. The electric field concentration that induces a dielectrophoretic force near the division plane of a mitotic cell was calculated by finite element analysis for 144 cases, based on different combinations of six noise factors associated with cells and four controllable factors including frequency, as determined by the Taguchi method. Changing the frequency from 200 to 400 kHz strongly increased robustness in producing a dielectrophoretic force, irrespective of noise factors. However, this frequency change reduced the force magnitude, which can be increased by simply applying a higher voltage. Based on additional simulations that considered this trade-off effect, a frequency of 300 kHz is recommended for a robust TTF treatment with allowable variations. The dielectrophoretic force was almost independent of the angle of applied electric field deviated from the most effective direction by ±20 degrees. Furthermore, increased robustness was observed for extracellular fluid with higher conductivity and permittivity. The Taguchi method was useful for identifying robust tumor-treating field therapy conditions from a considerably small number of replicated simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosaku Kurata
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Kazuki Shimada
- Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takamatsu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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19
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Liu X, Chang AY, Ma Y, Hua L, Yang Z, Wang S. Robust three-dimensional nanotube-in-micropillar array electrodes to facilitate size independent electroporation in blood cell therapy. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:4196-4207. [PMID: 34546271 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00690h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Blood is an attractive carrier for plasmid and RNA-based medicine in cell therapy. Electroporation serves as a favorable delivery tool for simple operation, quick internalization, minimum cell culture involvement, and low contamination risk. However, the delivery outcome of electroporation heavily depends on the treated cells such as their type, size, and orientation to the electric field, not ideal for highly heterogeneous blood samples. Herein, a new electroporation system was developed towards effective transfection to cells in blood regardless of their large diversity. By coupling replica molding and infiltration-coating processes, we successfully configured a three-dimensional electrode comprised of a polymer micropillar array on which carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are partially embedded. During electroporation, cells sag between micropillars and deform to form a conformal contact with their top and side surfaces. The implanted CNTs not only provide a robust conductive coating for polymer micropattern but also have their protruded ends face the cell membrane vertically everywhere with maximum transmembrane potential. Regardless of their largely varied sizes and random dispersion, both individual blood cell type and whole blood samples were effectively transfected with plasmid DNA (85% after 24 h and 95% after 72 h, or 2.5-3.0 folds enhancement). High-dose RNA probes were also introduced, which regulate better the expression levels of exogenous and endogenous genes in blood cells. Besides its promising performance on non-viral delivery routes to cell-related studies and therapy, the involved new fabrication method also provides a convenient and effective way to construct flexible electronics with stable micro/nano features on the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Liu
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitations, Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, PO Box 10137, Ruston, LA, 71272, USA.
| | - An-Yi Chang
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitations, Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, PO Box 10137, Ruston, LA, 71272, USA.
| | - Yifan Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Liping Hua
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitations, Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, PO Box 10137, Ruston, LA, 71272, USA.
| | - Zhaogang Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Shengnian Wang
- Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitations, Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, PO Box 10137, Ruston, LA, 71272, USA.
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20
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Maschietto M, Dal Maschio M, Girardi S, Vassanelli S. In situ electroporation of mammalian cells through SiO 2 thin film capacitive microelectrodes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15126. [PMID: 34302040 PMCID: PMC8302607 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroporation is a widely used non-viral technique for the delivery of molecules, including nucleic acids, into cells. Recently, electronic microsystems that miniaturize the electroporation machinery have been developed as a new tool for genetic manipulation of cells in vitro, by integrating metal microelectrodes in the culture substrate and enabling electroporation in-situ. We report that non-faradic SiO2 thin film-insulated microelectrodes can be used for reliable and spatially selective in-situ electroporation of mammalian cells. CHO-K1 and SH-SY5Y cell lines and primary neuronal cultures were electroporated by application of short and low amplitude voltage transients leading to cell electroporation by capacitive currents. We demonstrate reliable delivery of DNA plasmids and exogenous gene expression, accompanied by high spatial selectivity and cell viability, even with differentiated neurons. Finally, we show that SiO2 thin film-insulated microelectrodes support a double and serial transfection of the targeted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maschietto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Padua, via F. Marzolo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - M Dal Maschio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Padua, via F. Marzolo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - S Girardi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Padua, via F. Marzolo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - S Vassanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Padua, via F. Marzolo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy. .,Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, via Orus 2/B, 35131, Padua, Italy. .,Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy, CNR, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padua, Italy.
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21
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Ma C, Wu S, Zhou Y, Wei H, Zhang J, Chen Z, Zhu J, Lin Y, Zhu W. Bio‐Coreactant‐Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Microscopy of Intracellular Structure and Transport. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202012171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China
| | - Shaojun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Washington State University Pullman WA 99164 USA
| | - Hui‐Fang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China
| | - Jianrong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China
| | - Jun‐Jie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China
| | - Yuehe Lin
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Washington State University Pullman WA 99164 USA
| | - Wenlei Zhu
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Washington State University Pullman WA 99164 USA
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22
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Ma C, Wu S, Zhou Y, Wei HF, Zhang J, Chen Z, Zhu JJ, Lin Y, Zhu W. Bio-Coreactant-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Microscopy of Intracellular Structure and Transport. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:4907-4914. [PMID: 33188721 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202012171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A bio-coreactant-enhanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy realizes the ECL imaging of intracellular structure and dynamic transport. This microscopy uses Ru(bpy)3 2+ as the electrochemical molecular antenna connecting extracellular and intracellular environments, and uses intracellular biomolecules as the coreactants of ECL reactions via a "catalytic route". Accordingly, intracellular structures are identified without using multiple labels, and autophagy involving DNA oxidative damage is detected using nuclear ECL signals. A time-resolved image sequence discloses the universal edge effect of cellular electroporation due to the influence of the geometric properties of cell membranes on the induced transmembrane voltage. The dynamic transport of Ru(bpy)3 3+ in the different cellular compartments unveils the heterogeneous intracellular diffusivity correlating with the actin cytoskeleton. In addition to single-cell studies, the bio-coreactant-enhanced ECL microscopy is used to image a slice of a mouse liver and a colony of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shaojun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Hui-Fang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jianrong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yuehe Lin
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Wenlei Zhu
- School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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23
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Dawson J, Lee PS, van Rienen U, Appali R. A General Theoretical Framework to Study the Influence of Electrical Fields on Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:557447. [PMID: 33195123 PMCID: PMC7606877 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.557447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cell dynamics involve cell proliferation and cell differentiation into cells of distinct functional type, such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, or chondrocytes. Electrically active implants influence these dynamics for the regeneration of the cells in damaged tissues. How applied electric field influences processes of individual stem cells is a problem mostly unaddressed. The mathematical approaches to study stem cell dynamics have focused on the stem cell population as a whole, without resolving individual cells and intracellular processes. In this paper, we present a theoretical framework to describe the dynamics of a population of stem cells, taking into account the processes of the individual cells. We study the influence of the applied electric field on the cellular processes. We test our mean-field theory with the experiments from the literature, involving in vitro electrical stimulation of stem cells. We show that a simple model can quantitatively describe the experimentally observed time-course behavior of the total number of cells and the total alkaline phosphate activity in a population of mesenchymal stem cells. Our results show that the stem cell differentiation rate is dependent on the applied electrical field, confirming published experimental findings. Moreover, our analysis supports the cell density-dependent proliferation rate. Since the experimental results are averaged over many cells, our theoretical framework presents a robust and sensitive method for determining the effect of applied electric fields at the scale of the individual cell. These results indicate that the electric field stimulation may be effective in promoting bone regeneration by accelerating osteogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Dawson
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Institute of General Electrical Engineering, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Poh Soo Lee
- Max Bergmann Center for Biomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ursula van Rienen
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Institute of General Electrical Engineering, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Ageing of Individuals and Society, Interdisciplinary Faculty, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Life, Light and Matter, Interdisciplinary Faculty, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Revathi Appali
- Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Institute of General Electrical Engineering, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Ageing of Individuals and Society, Interdisciplinary Faculty, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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24
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Sonam Chopra, Ruzgys P, Maciulevičius M, Šatkauskas S. Effect of Cell Passage Time on the Electrotransfection Efficiency. BIOL BULL+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359020550014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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25
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Design of a High Voltage Pulse Generator with Large Width Adjusting Range for Tumor Treatment. ELECTRONICS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/electronics9061053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The unique biological effects stimulated by short pulsed electric field have many applications in tumor treatment, such as irreversible electroporation, electrochemotherapy, gene transfection and immune therapy. These biological effects require high voltage pulses with different pulse width in the range from nanoseconds to hundreds of microseconds. To fulfill this requirement, a compact high voltage pulse generator has been designed based on a switchable capacitor array and a SiC MOSFET switching array. The proposed pulse generator has one output channel with an adjustable pulse width from 100 ns to 100 µs, an amplitude range from 0 kV to 2 kV, a repetition rate less than 1.2 kHz and a voltage drop less than 5%. The mechanism of the stacked switches circuit was investigated, in connection with a switchable capacitor array. The introduction of a switchable capacitor array extends the pulse width from nanosecond scale and microsecond scale compared with other similar design methods. The pulse generator has been designed in simulation and implemented in experiment. The developed pulse generator provides a convenient and economical tool for the further studies of the unique biological effects stimulated by different pulsed electric fields for tumor treatment.
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26
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Monitoring the molecular composition of live cells exposed to electric pulses via label-free optical methods. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10471. [PMID: 32591612 PMCID: PMC7319994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67402-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The permeabilization of the live cells membrane by the delivery of electric pulses has fundamental interest in medicine, in particular in tumors treatment by electrochemotherapy. Since underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood, we studied the impact of electric pulses on the biochemical composition of live cells thanks to label-free optical methods: confocal Raman microspectroscopy and terahertz microscopy. A dose effect was observed after cells exposure to different field intensities and a major impact on cell peptide/protein content was found. Raman measurements reveal that protein structure and/or environment are modified by the electric pulses while terahertz measurements suggest a leakage of proteins and other intracellular compounds. We show that Raman and terahertz modalities are a particularly attractive complement to fluorescence microscopy which is the reference optical technique in the case of electropermeabilization. Finally, we propose an analytical model for the influx and efflux of non-permeant molecules through transiently (electro)permeabilized cell membranes.
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27
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Rao X, Chen X, Zhou J, Sun L, Liu J. A Digital Controlled Pulse Generator for a Possible Tumor Therapy Combining Irreversible Electroporation With Nanosecond Pulse Stimulation. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS 2020; 14:595-605. [PMID: 32310780 DOI: 10.1109/tbcas.2020.2987376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The irreversible electroporation with microsecond electric pulses is a new ablation technique adopted in the tumor therapy worldwide. On the other hand, the nsPEF (nanosecond pulsed electric field) has been proved to provide a means to induce immunogenic cell death and elicits antitumor immunity, which is under intensive in-vitro and in-vivo studies and in clinical trials. Normally, one needs two different types of electric pulse generators for producing the pulses in the ranges of nanosecond and microsecond, respectively. In order to realize these two types of tumor treatments in complementary and optimize electrical pulse parameters, we have developed a compact high-voltage pulse generator with a wide pulse width tuning range, based on a capacitor discharging configuration digitally controlled by a silicon carbide MOSFET switching array through a pair of optic-coupler drivers. The developed digital pulse generator is capable of adjusting: pulse width over 100-100 μs, voltage over 0-2 kV and repetition rate up to 1.2 kHz. The pulse generator is designed in simulation, implemented and verified in experiments. The pulse generator is shown to deliver a complementary treatment on Murine melanoma B16 cell lines, i.e., triggering the cell early apoptosis under the 300 ns pulse stimulation while a complete killing under the 100 ns pulses. The pulse generator is further demonstrated to induce antitumor immunity in a preliminary in vivo study on the mice model.
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28
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Martens SL, Klein S, Barnes RA, TrejoSanchez P, Roth CC, Ibey BL. 600-ns pulsed electric fields affect inactivation and antibiotic susceptibilities of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus acidophilus. AMB Express 2020; 10:55. [PMID: 32189137 PMCID: PMC7080936 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-020-00991-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell suspensions of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus acidophilus were exposed to 600-ns pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) at varying amplitudes (Low-13.5, Mid-18.5 or High-23.5 kV cm−1) and pulse numbers (0 (sham), 1, 5, 10, 100 or 1000) at a 1 hertz (Hz) repetition rate. The induced temperature rise generated at these exposure parameters, hereafter termed thermal gradient, was measured and applied independently to cell suspensions in order to differentiate inactivation triggered by electric field (E-field) from heating. Treated cell suspensions were plated and cellular inactivation was quantified by colony counts after a 24-hour (h) incubation period. Additionally, cells from both exposure conditions were incubated with various antibiotic-soaked discs to determine if nsPEF exposure would induce changes in antibiotic susceptibility. Results indicate that, for both species, the total delivered energy (amplitude, pulse number and pulse duration) determined the magnitude of cell inactivation. Specifically, for 18.5 and 23.5 kV cm−1 exposures, L. acidophilus was more sensitive to the inactivation effects of nsPEF than E. coli, however, for the 13.5 kV cm−1 exposures E. coli was more sensitive, suggesting that L. acidophilus may need to meet an E-field threshold before significant inactivation can occur. Results also indicate that antibiotic susceptibility was enhanced by multiple nsPEF exposures, as observed by increased zones of growth inhibition. Moreover, for both species, a temperature increase of ≤ 20 °C (89% of exposures) was not sufficient to significantly alter cell inactivation, whereas none of the thermal equivalent exposures were sufficient to change antibiotic susceptibility categories.
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29
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Wang T, Chen H, Yu C, Xie X. Rapid determination of the electroporation threshold for bacteria inactivation using a lab-on-a-chip platform. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 132:105040. [PMID: 31387020 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electroporation based locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) is an emerging bacteria inactivation technology for drinking water disinfection. Nevertheless, the lethal electroporation threshold (LET) for bacteria has not been studied, partly due to the tedious work required by traditional experimental methods. Here, a lab-on-a-chip device composed of platinum electrodes deposited on a glass substrate is developed for rapid determination of the LET. When voltage pulses are applied, an electric field with a linear strength gradient is generated on a channel between the electrodes. Bacterial cells exposed to the electric field stronger than the LET are inactivated, while others remain intact. After a cell staining process to differentiate dead and live bacterial cells, the LETs are obtained by analyzing the fluorescence microscopy images. Staphylococcus epidermidis has been utilized as a model bacterium in this study. The LETs range from 10 kV/cm to 35 kV/cm under different pulsed electric field conditions, decreasing with the increase of pulse width, effective treatment time, and pulsed electric field frequency. The effects of medium properties on the LET were also investigated. This lab-on-a-chip device and the experimental approach can also be used to determine the LETs for other microorganisms found in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States
| | - Hang Chen
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States
| | - Cecilia Yu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States
| | - Xing Xie
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, United States.
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30
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Vaiwala R, Jadhav S, Thaokar R. Establishing an Electrostatics Paradigm for Membrane Electroporation in the Framework of Dissipative Particle Dynamics. J Chem Theory Comput 2019; 15:5737-5749. [PMID: 31430431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.9b00573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
With an exclusive aim to looking into a mechanism of membrane electroporation on mesoscopic length and time scales, we report the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation results for systems with and without electrolytes. A polarizable DPD model of water is employed for accurate modeling of long-range electrostatics near the water-lipid interfaces. A great deal of discussion on field induced change in dipole moments of water and lipids together with the special variation of electric field is made in order to understand the dielectrophoretic movement of water, initiating a pore formation via an intrusion through the bilayer core. The presence of salt alters the dipolar arrangement of lipids and water, and thereby it reduces the external field required to create a pore in the membrane. The species fluxes through the pore, distributions for bead density, electrostatic potential, stresses across the membrane, etc. are used to answer some of the key questions pertaining to mechanism of electroporation. The findings are compared with the molecular dynamics simulation results found in the literature, and the comparison successfully establishes an electrostatics paradigm for biomembrane studies using DPD simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Vaiwala
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , Mumbai 400 076 , India
| | - Sameer Jadhav
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , Mumbai 400 076 , India
| | - Rochish Thaokar
- Department of Chemical Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , Mumbai 400 076 , India
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Thomas RSW, Mitchell PD, Oreffo ROC, Morgan H, Green NG. Image-based sorting and negative dielectrophoresis for high purity cell and particle separation. Electrophoresis 2019; 40:2718-2727. [PMID: 31206722 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201800489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Microelectrode arrays are used to sort single fluorescently labeled cells and particles as they flow through a microfluidic channel using dielectrophoresis. Negative dielectrophoresis is used to create a "Dielectrophoretic virtual channel" that runs along the center of the microfluidic channel. By switching the polarity of the electrodes, the virtual channel can be dynamically reconfigured to direct particles along a different path. This is demonstrated by sorting particles into two microfluidic outlets, controlled by an automated system that interprets video data from a color camera and makes complex sorting decisions based on color, intensity, size, and shape. This enables the rejection of particle aggregates and other impurities, and the system is optimized to isolate high purity populations from a heterogeneous sample. Green beads are isolated from an excess of red beads with 100% purity at a rate of up to 0.9 particles per second, in addition application to the sorting of osteosarcoma and human bone marrow cells is evidenced. The extension of Dielectrophoretic Virtual Channels to an arbitrary number of sorting outputs is examined, with design, simulation, and experimental verification of two alternate geometries presented and compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert S W Thomas
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton Highfield, Southampton, UK
| | - Peter D Mitchell
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Richard O C Oreffo
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Hywel Morgan
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton Highfield, Southampton, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton Highfield, Southampton, UK
| | - Nicolas G Green
- School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton Highfield, Southampton, UK
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Ye H, Ng J. Shielding effects of myelin sheath on axolemma depolarization under transverse electric field stimulation. PeerJ 2018; 6:e6020. [PMID: 30533309 PMCID: PMC6282940 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal stimulation with electric currents is an effective method for controlling neural activity. An electric field parallel to the axon is widely accepted as the predominant component in the activation of an axon. However, recent studies indicate that the transverse component to the axolemma is also effective in depolarizing the axon. To quantitatively investigate the amount of axolemma polarization induced by a transverse electric field, we computed the transmembrane potential (Vm) for a conductive body that represents an unmyelinated axon (or the bare axon between the myelin sheath in a myelinated axon). We also computed the transmembrane potential of the sheath-covered axonal segment in a myelinated axon. We then systematically analyzed the biophysical factors that affect axonal polarization under transverse electric stimulation for both the bare and sheath-covered axons. Geometrical patterns of polarization of both axon types were dependent on field properties (magnitude and field orientation to the axon). Polarization of both axons was also dependent on their axolemma radii and electrical conductivities. The myelin provided a significant “shielding effect” against the transverse electric fields, preventing excessive axolemma depolarization. Demyelination could allow for prominent axolemma depolarization in the transverse electric field, via a significant increase in myelin conductivity. This shifts the voltage drop of the myelin sheath to the axolemma. Pathological changes at a cellular level should be considered when electric fields are used for the treatment of demyelination diseases. The calculated term for membrane polarization (Vm) could be used to modify the current cable equation that describes axon excitation by an external electric field to account for the activating effects of both parallel and transverse fields surrounding the target axon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- Department of Biology, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jeffrey Ng
- Department of Biology, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Beier HT, Roth CC, Bixler JN, Sedelnikova AV, Ibey BL. Visualization of Dynamic Sub-microsecond Changes in Membrane Potential. Biophys J 2018; 116:120-126. [PMID: 30579565 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.11.3129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct observation of rapid membrane potential changes is critical to understand how complex neurological systems function. This knowledge is especially important when stimulation is achieved through an external stimulus meant to mimic a naturally occurring process. To enable exploration of this dynamic space, we developed an all-optical method for observing rapid changes in membrane potential at temporal resolutions of ∼25 ns. By applying a single 600-ns electric pulse, we observed sub-microsecond, continuous membrane charging and discharging dynamics. Close agreement between the acquired results and an analytical membrane-charging model validates the utility of this technique. This tool will deepen our understanding of the role of membrane potential dynamics in the regulation of many biological and chemical processes within living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hope T Beier
- Bioeffects Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
| | - Caleb C Roth
- Bioeffects Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas
| | - Joel N Bixler
- Bioeffects Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas
| | | | - Bennett L Ibey
- Bioeffects Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas
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Mechanic stress generated by a time-varying electromagnetic field on bone surface. Med Biol Eng Comput 2018; 56:1793-1805. [PMID: 29556951 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-018-1814-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Bone cells sense mechanical load, which is essential for bone growth and remodeling. In a fracture, this mechanism is compromised. Electromagnetic stimulation has been widely used to assist in bone healing, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. A recent hypothesis suggests that electromagnetic stimulation could influence tissue biomechanics; however, a detailed quantitative understanding of EM-induced biomechanical changes in the bone is unavailable. This paper used a muscle/bone model to study the biomechanics of the bone under EM exposure. Due to the dielectric properties of the muscle/bone interface, a time-varying magnetic field can generate both compressing and shear stresses on the bone surface, where many mechanical sensing cells are available for cellular mechanotransduction. I calculated these stresses and found that the shear stress is significantly greater than the compressing stress. Detailed parametric analysis suggests that both the compressing and shear stresses are dependent on the geometrical and electrical properties of the muscle and the bone. These stresses are also functions of the orientation of the coil and the frequency of the magnetic field. It is speculated that the EM field could apply biomechanical influence to fractured bone, through the fine-tuning of the controllable field parameters. Graphical abstract Mechanic stress on bone surface in a time-varying magnetic field.
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Wenger C, Miranda PC, Salvador R, Thielscher A, Bomzon Z, Giladi M, Mrugala MM, Korshoej AR. A Review on Tumor-Treating Fields (TTFields): Clinical Implications Inferred From Computational Modeling. IEEE Rev Biomed Eng 2018; 11:195-207. [DOI: 10.1109/rbme.2017.2765282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Permeabilizing Phospholipid Bilayers with Non-normal Electric Fields. J Membr Biol 2017; 251:229-236. [PMID: 29094194 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-017-9996-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Since 2003, molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayers have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying electropermeabilization (electroporation)-an electric field-induced increase in the permeability of biological membranes. The convention in these studies has been to apply the electric field normal to the plane of the membrane. In a typical electroporation application, however, where the electric field is reasonably uniform and unidirectional, the field is perpendicular to the membrane only at a few locations-for spherical cells only at the poles of the cells along the axis defined by the direction of the electric field. Everywhere else on the cell surface the field is applied at an angle that is oblique to the plane of the membrane. On a microscopic level, the invaginations and protrusions that characterize a living cell membrane also present many angles to the applied electric field. Here we report the results of molecular dynamics simulations of lipid electropore formation when the electric field is not normal to the membrane surface, which show that the tangential component of the field has a small but non-zero effect.
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Perrier DL, Rems L, Boukany PE. Lipid vesicles in pulsed electric fields: Fundamental principles of the membrane response and its biomedical applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 249:248-271. [PMID: 28499600 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2017.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The present review focuses on the effects of pulsed electric fields on lipid vesicles ranging from giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), from both fundamental and applicative perspectives. Lipid vesicles are the most popular model membrane systems for studying biophysical and biological processes in living cells. Furthermore, as vesicles are made from biocompatible and biodegradable materials, they provide a strategy to create safe and functionalized drug delivery systems in health-care applications. Exposure of lipid vesicles to pulsed electric fields is a common physical method to transiently increase the permeability of the lipid membrane. This method, termed electroporation, has shown many advantages for delivering exogenous molecules including drugs and genetic material into vesicles and living cells. In addition, electroporation can be applied to induce fusion between vesicles and/or cells. First, we discuss in detail how research on cell-size GUVs as model cell systems has provided novel insight into the basic mechanisms of cell electroporation and associated phenomena. Afterwards, we continue with a thorough overview how electroporation and electrofusion have been used as versatile methods to manipulate vesicles of all sizes in different biomedical applications. We conclude by summarizing the open questions in the field of electroporation and possible future directions for vesicles in the biomedical field.
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Ye H. Kinematic difference between a biological cell and an artificial vesicle in a strong DC electric field – a “shell” membrane model study. BMC BIOPHYSICS 2017. [DOI: 10.1186/s13628-017-0038-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Abstract
Electric fields (EF) can induce some physiological or biological effects in neural tissues, which have been explored in many applications such as electroporation. The key to understand the possible underlying mechanisms of such effects tend to be the induced transmembrane potential. Although transmembrane potentials have already been the subject of many theoretical studies, most previous works concerning this topic are mainly focused on the situations of isolated cells. In previous studies, cells are often considered to be three-compartment models with different electroconductivities in different regions (the three compartments are often intracellular regions, membrane, and extracellular regions). In the present paper, we utilize a finite element method (FSM) (with the help of COMSOL®) to calculate the induced transmembrane potential by the applied EF for a model of two neurons, which may have significant difference on electroporation.
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40
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Rems L. Applicative Use of Electroporation Models. ADVANCES IN BIOMEMBRANES AND LIPID SELF-ASSEMBLY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.abl.2017.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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41
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Tuszynski JA, Wenger C, Friesen DE, Preto J. An Overview of Sub-Cellular Mechanisms Involved in the Action of TTFields. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:E1128. [PMID: 27845746 PMCID: PMC5129338 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13111128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Long-standing research on electric and electromagnetic field interactions with biological cells and their subcellular structures has mainly focused on the low- and high-frequency regimes. Biological effects at intermediate frequencies between 100 and 300 kHz have been recently discovered and applied to cancer cells as a therapeutic modality called Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields). TTFields are clinically applied to disrupt cell division, primarily for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In this review, we provide an assessment of possible physical interactions between 100 kHz range alternating electric fields and biological cells in general and their nano-scale subcellular structures in particular. This is intended to mechanistically elucidate the observed strong disruptive effects in cancer cells. Computational models of isolated cells subject to TTFields predict that for intermediate frequencies the intracellular electric field strength significantly increases and that peak dielectrophoretic forces develop in dividing cells. These findings are in agreement with in vitro observations of TTFields' disruptive effects on cellular function. We conclude that the most likely candidates to provide a quantitative explanation of these effects are ionic condensation waves around microtubules as well as dielectrophoretic effects on the dipole moments of microtubules. A less likely possibility is the involvement of actin filaments or ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Tuszynski
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada.
| | - Cornelia Wenger
- The Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.
| | - Douglas E Friesen
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Jordane Preto
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
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42
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Lu W, Wu K, Hu X, Xie X, Ning J, Wang C, Zhou H, Yang G. Theoretical analysis of transmembrane potential of cells exposed to nanosecond pulsed electric field. Int J Radiat Biol 2016; 93:231-239. [PMID: 27586355 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1230244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Intracellular electroporation occurs when the cells are exposed to nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF). It is believed the electroporation (formation and extension of pores on the membrane induced by external electric field) is affected significantly by the transmembrane potential. This paper analyzed transmembrane potential induced by nsPEF in the term of pulse frequency spectrum, aiming to provide a theoretical explanation to intracellular bio-effects. METHODS Based on the double-shelled spherical cell model, the frequency dependence of transmembrane potential was obtained by solving Laplace's equation, while the time course of transmembrane potential was obtained by a method combined with discrete Fourier transform and Laplace transform. First-order Debye equation was used to describe the dielectric relaxation of the cell medium. RESULTS Frequency-domain analysis showed that when the electric field frequency was higher than 105 Hz, the transmembrane potential on the organelle membrane (ΔΦo) was increasing to exceed the transmembrane potential on the cellular membrane (ΔΦc). In the time-domain analysis, transmembrane potentials induced by four nsPEF (short trapezoid, long trapezoid, bipolar and sine shapes) with the same field strength were compared with each other. It showed that ΔΦo is obviously larger than ΔΦc if the curve of the normalized frequency spectrum of the pulse is more similar with the curve of normalized ΔΦo in frequency domain. Pulses with major frequency components higher than 108 Hz lead to both small ΔΦo and ΔΦc. This may explain why high power pulsed microwave lead to unobvious bio-effects of cells than nsPEF with trapezoid form. CONCLUSION Through the pulse frequency spectrum it is clearer to understand the relationship between nsPEF and the transmembrane potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lu
- a Laboratory of Health Physics , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Ke Wu
- a Laboratory of Health Physics , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Xiangjun Hu
- b Laboratory of Experimental Pathology , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Xiangdong Xie
- a Laboratory of Health Physics , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Jing Ning
- a Laboratory of Health Physics , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Changzhen Wang
- b Laboratory of Experimental Pathology , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Hongmei Zhou
- a Laboratory of Health Physics , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Guoshan Yang
- a Laboratory of Health Physics , Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine , Beijing , China
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Exploring the Applicability of Nano-Poration for Remote Control in Smart Drug Delivery Systems. J Membr Biol 2016; 250:31-40. [PMID: 27561639 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-016-9922-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Smart drug delivery systems represent an interesting tool to significantly improve the efficiency and the precision in the treatment of a broad category of diseases. In this context, a drug delivery mediated by nanosecond pulsed electric fields seems a promising technique, allowing for a controlled release and uptake of drugs by the synergy between the electropulsation and nanocarriers with encapsulated drugs. The main concern about the use of electroporation for drug delivery applications is the difference in dimension between the liposome (nanometer range) and the cell (micrometer range). The choice of liposome dimension is not trivial. Liposomes larger than 500 nm of diameter could be recognized as pathogen agents by the immune system, while liposomes of smaller size would require external electric field of high amplitudes for the membrane electroporation that could compromise the cell viability. The aim of this work is to theoretically study the possibility of a simultaneous cell and liposomes electroporation. The numerical simulations reported the possibility to electroporate the cell and a significant percentage of liposomes with comparable values of external electric field, when a 12 nsPEF is used.
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Zheng Y, Gao Y, Chen R, Wang H, Dong L, Dou J. A new theoretical model for transmembrane potential and ion currents induced in a spherical cell under low frequency electromagnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics 2016; 37:481-92. [PMID: 27438778 DOI: 10.1002/bem.21993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Time-varying electromagnetic fields (EMF) can induce some physiological effects in neuronal tissues, which have been explored in many applications such as transcranial magnetic stimulation. Although transmembrane potentials and induced currents have already been the subjects of many theoretical studies, most previous works about this topic are mainly completed by utilizing Maxwell's equations, often by solving a Laplace equation. In previous studies, cells were often considered to be three-compartment models with different electroconductivities in different regions (three compartments are often intracellular regions, membrane, and extracellular regions). However, models like that did not take dynamic ion channels into consideration. Therefore, one cannot obtain concrete ionic current changes such as potassium current change or sodium current change by these models. The aim of the present work is to present a new and more detailed model for calculating transmembrane potentials and ionic currents induced by time-varying EMF. Equations used in the present paper originate from Nernst-Plank equations, which are ionic current-related equations. The main work is to calculate ionic current changes induced by EMF exposure, and then transmembrane potential changes are calculated with Hodgkin-Huxley model. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:481-492, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruijuan Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiquan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Dong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
| | - Junrong Dou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, China
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Quantification of cell membrane permeability induced by monopolar and high-frequency bipolar bursts of electrical pulses. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:2689-2698. [PMID: 27372268 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
High-frequency bipolar electric pulses have been shown to mitigate undesirable muscle contraction during irreversible electroporation (IRE) therapy. Here, we evaluate the potential applicability of such pulses for introducing exogenous molecules into cells, such as in electrochemotherapy (ECT). For this purpose we develop a method for calculating the time course of the effective permeability of an electroporated cell membrane based on real-time imaging of propidium transport into single cells that allows a quantitative comparison between different pulsing schemes. We calculate the effective permeability for several pulsed electric field treatments including trains of 100μs monopolar pulses, conventionally used in IRE and ECT, and pulse trains containing bursts or evenly-spaced 1μs bipolar pulses. We show that shorter bipolar pulses induce lower effective membrane permeability than longer monopolar pulses with equivalent treatment times. This lower efficiency can be attributed to incomplete membrane charging. Nevertheless, bipolar pulses could be used for increasing the uptake of small molecules into cells more symmetrically, but at the expense of higher applied voltages. These data indicate that high-frequency bipolar bursts of electrical pulses may be designed to electroporate cells as effectively as and more homogeneously than conventional monopolar pulses.
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46
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Biomechanics of cell membrane under low-frequency time-varying magnetic field: a shell model. Med Biol Eng Comput 2016; 54:1871-1881. [DOI: 10.1007/s11517-016-1478-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Taghian T, Narmoneva DA, Kogan AB. Modulation of cell function by electric field: a high-resolution analysis. J R Soc Interface 2016; 12:rsif.2015.0153. [PMID: 25994294 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2015.0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of cell function by a non-thermal, physiological-level electromagnetic field has potential for vascular tissue healing therapies and advancing hybrid bioelectronic technology. We have recently demonstrated that a physiological electric field (EF) applied wirelessly can regulate intracellular signalling and cell function in a frequency-dependent manner. However, the mechanism for such regulation is not well understood. Here, we present a systematic numerical study of a cell-field interaction following cell exposure to the external EF. We use a realistic experimental environment that also recapitulates the absence of a direct electric contact between the field-sourcing electrodes and the cells or the culture medium. We identify characteristic regimes and present their classification with respect to frequency, location, and the electrical properties of the model components. The results show a striking difference in the frequency dependence of EF penetration and cell response between cells suspended in an electrolyte and cells attached to a substrate. The EF structure in the cell is strongly inhomogeneous and is sensitive to the physical properties of the cell and its environment. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms for frequency-dependent cell responses to EF that regulate cell function, which may have important implications for EF-based therapies and biotechnology development.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Taghian
- Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati, 345 Clifton Court, RM 400 Geo/Physics Building, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0011, USA
| | - D A Narmoneva
- Department of Biomedical, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Cincinnati, 2901 Woodside Dr., ML 0012, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - A B Kogan
- Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati, 345 Clifton Court, RM 400 Geo/Physics Building, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0011, USA
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Chang L, Bertani P, Gallego-Perez D, Yang Z, Chen F, Chiang C, Malkoc V, Kuang T, Gao K, Lee LJ, Lu W. 3D nanochannel electroporation for high-throughput cell transfection with high uniformity and dosage control. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:243-52. [PMID: 26309218 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr03187g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Of great interest to modern medicine and biomedical research is the ability to inject individual target cells with the desired genes or drug molecules. Some advances in cell electroporation allow for high throughput, high cell viability, or excellent dosage control, yet no platform is available for the combination of all three. In an effort to solve this problem, here we show a "3D nano-channel electroporation (NEP) chip" on a silicon platform designed to meet these three criteria. This NEP chip can simultaneously deliver the desired molecules into 40,000 cells per cm(2) on the top surface of the device. Each 650 nm pore aligns to a cell and can be used to deliver extremely small biological elements to very large plasmids (>10 kbp). When compared to conventional bulk electroporation (BEP), the NEP chip shows a 20 fold improvement in dosage control and uniformity, while still maintaining high cell viability (>90%) even in cells such as cardiac cells which are characteristically difficult to transfect. This high-throughput 3D NEP system provides an innovative and medically valuable platform with uniform and reliable cellular transfection, allowing for a steady supply of healthy, engineered cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingqian Chang
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. and Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Paul Bertani
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Daniel Gallego-Perez
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Zhaogang Yang
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Feng Chen
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Chiling Chiang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43209, USA
| | - Veysi Malkoc
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Tairong Kuang
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - Keliang Gao
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
| | - L James Lee
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. and Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Wu Lu
- National Science and Engineering Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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Sarbazvatan S, Sardari D, Taheri N, Sepanloo K. Response of single cell with acute angle exposed to an external electric field. Med Eng Phys 2015; 37:1015-9. [PMID: 26307458 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is known that the electric field incurs effects on the living cells. Predicting the response of single cell or multilayer cells to induced alternative or static eclectic field has permanently been a challenge. In the present study a first order single cell with acute angle under the influence of external electric field is considered. The cell division stage or the special condition of reshaping is modelled with a cone being connected. In the case of cell divisions, anaphase, it can be considered with two cones that connected nose-to-nose. Each cone consists of two regions. The first is the membrane modelled with a superficial layer, and the second is cytoplasm at the core. A Laplace equation is written for this model and the distribution of its electric field is a sharp point in the single cell for which an acute angle model is calculated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saber Sarbazvatan
- Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto- Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal .
| | - Dariush Sardari
- Plasma Physics Building, Islamic Azad University, Science & Research Branch, Tehran, P.O. Box 14515-775, Iran
| | - Nahid Taheri
- Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto- Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Kamran Sepanloo
- Reactor & Accelerators Research and Development School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), End of North Karegar Street, P.O. Box 14395-836, Tehran, Iran
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Ye H, Steiger A. Neuron matters: electric activation of neuronal tissue is dependent on the interaction between the neuron and the electric field. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2015; 12:65. [PMID: 26265444 PMCID: PMC4534030 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-015-0061-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In laboratory research and clinical practice, externally-applied electric fields have been widely used to control neuronal activity. It is generally accepted that neuronal excitability is controlled by electric current that depolarizes or hyperpolarizes the excitable cell membrane. What determines the amount of polarization? Research on the mechanisms of electric stimulation focus on the optimal control of the field properties (frequency, amplitude, and direction of the electric currents) to improve stimulation outcomes. Emerging evidence from modeling and experimental studies support the existence of interactions between the targeted neurons and the externally-applied electric fields. With cell-field interaction, we suggest a two-way process. When a neuron is positioned inside an electric field, the electric field will induce a change in the resting membrane potential by superimposing an electrically-induced transmembrane potential (ITP). At the same time, the electric field can be perturbed and re-distributed by the cell. This cell-field interaction may play a significant role in the overall effects of stimulation. The redistributed field can cause secondary effects to neighboring cells by altering their geometrical pattern and amount of membrane polarization. Neurons excited by the externally-applied electric field can also affect neighboring cells by ephaptic interaction. Both aspects of the cell-field interaction depend on the biophysical properties of the neuronal tissue, including geometric (i.e., size, shape, orientation to the field) and electric (i.e., conductivity and dielectricity) attributes of the cells. The biophysical basis of the cell-field interaction can be explained by the electromagnetism theory. Further experimental and simulation studies on electric stimulation of neuronal tissue should consider the prospect of a cell-field interaction, and a better understanding of tissue inhomogeneity and anisotropy is needed to fully appreciate the neural basis of cell-field interaction as well as the biological effects of electric stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ye
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA.
| | - Amanda Steiger
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA.
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