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Yun SH, Mansurov V, Yang L, Yoon J, Leblanc N, Craviso GL, Zaklit J. Modulating Ca 2+ influx into adrenal chromaffin cells with short-duration nanosecond electric pulses. Biophys J 2024; 123:2537-2556. [PMID: 38909279 PMCID: PMC11365113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Isolated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells exposed to single 2-, 4-, or 5-ns pulses undergo a rapid, transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ mediated by Ca2+ entry via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs), mimicking the activation of these cells in vivo by acetylcholine. However, pulse durations 150 ns or longer elicit larger amplitude and longer-lived Ca2+ responses due to Ca2+ influx via both VGCCs and a yet to be identified plasma membrane pathway(s). To further our understanding of the differential effects of ultrashort versus longer pulse durations on Ca2+ influx, chromaffin cells were loaded with calcium green-1 and exposed to single 3-, 5-, 11-, 25-, or 50-ns pulses applied at their respective Ca2+ activation threshold electric fields. Increasing pulse duration from 3 or 5 ns to only 11 ns was sufficient to elicit increased amplitude and longer-lived Ca2+ responses in the majority of cells, a trend that continued as pulse duration increased to 50 ns. The amplification of Ca2+ responses was not the result of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and was accompanied by a decreased effectiveness of VGCC inhibitors to block the responses and a reduced reliance on extracellular Na+ and membrane depolarization to evoke the responses. Inhibitors of pannexin channels, P2X receptors, or non-selective cation channels failed to attenuate 50-ns-elicited Ca2+ responses, ruling out these Ca2+-permeable channels as secondary Ca2+ entry pathways. Analytical calculations and numerical modeling suggest that the parameter that best determines the response of chromaffin cells to increasing pulse durations is the time the membrane charges to its peak voltage. These results highlight the pronounced sensitivity of a neuroendocrine cell to pulse durations differing by only tens of nanoseconds, which has important implications for the future development of nanosecond pulse technologies enabling electrostimulation applications for spatially focused and graded in vivo neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hae Yun
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
| | - Vasilii Mansurov
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
| | - Lisha Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada
| | - Jihwan Yoon
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
| | - Normand Leblanc
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada
| | - Gale L Craviso
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada
| | - Josette Zaklit
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada.
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2
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Rems L, Rainot A, Wiczew D, Szulc N, Tarek M. Cellular excitability and ns-pulsed electric fields: Potential involvement of lipid oxidation in the action potential activation. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 155:108588. [PMID: 37879163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies showed that nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) can activate voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) and trigger action potentials (APs) in excitable cells. Under physiological conditions, VGICs' activation takes place on time scales of the order 10-100 µs. These time scales are considerably longer than the applied pulse duration, thus activation of VGICs by nsPEFs remains puzzling and there is no clear consensus on the mechanisms involved. Here we propose that changes in local electrical properties of the cell membrane due to lipid oxidation might be implicated in AP activation. We first use MD simulations of model lipid bilayers with increasing concentration of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products and demonstrate that oxidation not only increases the bilayer conductance, but also the bilayer capacitance. Equipped with MD-based characterization of electrical properties of oxidized bilayers, we then resort to AP modelling at the cell level with Hodgkin-Huxley-type models. We confirm that a local change in membrane properties, particularly the increase in membrane conductance, due to formation of oxidized membrane lesions can be high enough to trigger an AP, even when no external stimulus is applied. However, excessive accumulation of oxidized lesions (or other conductive defects) can lead to altered cell excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Rems
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | | | - Daniel Wiczew
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Natalia Szulc
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Mounir Tarek
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LPCT, F-54000 Nancy, France.
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3
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Ruiz-Fernández AR, Campos L, Villanelo F, Garate JA, Perez-Acle T. Protein-Mediated Electroporation in a Cardiac Voltage-Sensing Domain Due to an nsPEF Stimulus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11397. [PMID: 37511161 PMCID: PMC10379607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This study takes a step in understanding the physiological implications of the nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) by integrating molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning techniques. nsPEF, a state-of-the-art technology, uses high-voltage electric field pulses with a nanosecond duration to modulate cellular activity. This investigation reveals a relatively new and underexplored phenomenon: protein-mediated electroporation. Our research focused on the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of the NaV1.5 sodium cardiac channel in response to nsPEF stimulation. We scrutinized the VSD structures that form pores and thereby contribute to the physical chemistry that governs the defibrillation effect of nsPEF. To do so, we conducted a comprehensive analysis involving the clustering of 142 replicas simulated for 50 ns under nsPEF stimuli. We subsequently pinpointed the representative structures of each cluster and computed the free energy between them. We find that the selected VSD of NaV1.5 forms pores under nsPEF stimulation, but in a way that significant differs from the traditional VSD opening. This study not only extends our understanding of nsPEF and its interaction with protein channels but also adds a new effect to further study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leonardo Campos
- Computational Biology Lab, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Felipe Villanelo
- Computational Biology Lab, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Jose Antonio Garate
- Computational Biology Lab, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 8420524, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus im NanoBioPhysics, Universidad de Valparaiso, Valparaiso 2351319, Chile
| | - Tomas Perez-Acle
- Computational Biology Lab, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 8420524, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso 2360102, Chile
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4
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Ruiz-Fernández AR, Rosemblatt M, Perez-Acle T. Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) and vaccines: a novel technique for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses? Ann Med 2022; 54:1749-1756. [PMID: 35786157 PMCID: PMC9258060 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2087898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of 2020, worldwide attention has been being focussed on SARS-CoV-2, the second strain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus. Although advances in vaccine technology have been made, particularly considering the advent of mRNA vaccines, up to date, no single antigen design can ensure optimal immune response. Therefore, new technologies must be tested as to their ability to further improve vaccines. Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF) is one such method showing great promise in different biomedical and industrial fields, including the fight against COVID-19. Of note, available research shows that nsPEF directly damages the cell's DNA, so it is critical to determine if this technology could be able to fragment either viral DNA or RNA so as to be used as a novel technology to produce inactivated pathogenic agents that may, in turn, be used for the production of vaccines. Considering the available evidence, we propose that nsPEF may be used to produce inactivated SARS-CoV-2 viruses that may in turn be used to produce novel vaccines, as another tool to address 20 the current COVID-19 pandemic.Key MessagesViral inactivation by using pulsed electric fields in the nanosecond frequency.DNA fragmentation by a Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF).Opportunity to apply new technologies in vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Ruiz-Fernández
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Rosemblatt
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - T Perez-Acle
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
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5
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Silkunas M, Gudvangen E, Novickij V, Pakhomov AG. Sub-MHz bursts of nanosecond pulses excite neurons at paradoxically low electric field thresholds without membrane damage. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:184034. [PMID: 35981654 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Neuromodulation applications of nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) are hindered by their low potency to elicit action potentials in neurons. Excitation by a single nsEP requires a strong electric field which injures neurons by electroporation. We bypassed the high electric field requirement by replacing single nsEP stimuli with high-frequency brief nsEP bursts. In hippocampal neurons, excitation thresholds progressively decreased at nsEP frequencies above 20-200 kHz, with up to 20-30-fold reduction at sub-MHz and MHz rates. For a fixed burst duration, thresholds were determined by the duty cycle, irrespective of the specific nsEP duration, rate, or number of pulses per burst. For 100-μs bursts of 100-, 400-, or 800-ns pulses, the threshold decreased as a power function when the duty cycle exceeded 3-5 %. nsEP bursts were compared with single "long" pulses whose duration and amplitude matched the duration and the time-average amplitude of the burst. Such pulses deliver the same electric charge as bursts, within the same time interval. High-frequency nsEP bursts excited neurons at the time-average electric field 2-3 times below the threshold for a single long pulse. For example, the excitation threshold of 139 ± 14 V/cm for a single 100-μs pulse decreased to 57 ± 8 V/cm for a 100-μs burst of 100-ns, 0.25-MHz pulses (p < 0.001). Applying nsEP in bursts reduced or prevented the loss of excitability in multiple stimulation attempts. Stimulation by high-frequency nsEP bursts is a powerful novel approach to excite neurons at paradoxically low electric charge while also avoiding the electroporative membrane damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mantas Silkunas
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; Institute for Digestive System Research, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Emily Gudvangen
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA
| | | | - Andrei G Pakhomov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA.
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6
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Zhang Y, Shen B, Wu T, Zhao J, Jing JC, Wang P, Sasaki-Capela K, Dunphy WG, Garrett D, Maslov K, Wang W, Wang LV. Ultrafast and hypersensitive phase imaging of propagating internodal current flows in myelinated axons and electromagnetic pulses in dielectrics. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5247. [PMID: 36068212 PMCID: PMC9448739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many ultrafast phenomena in biology and physics are fundamental to our scientific understanding but have not yet been visualized owing to the extreme speed and sensitivity requirements in imaging modalities. Two examples are the propagation of passive current flows through myelinated axons and electromagnetic pulses through dielectrics, which are both key to information processing in living organisms and electronic devices. Here, we demonstrate differentially enhanced compressed ultrafast photography (Diff-CUP) to directly visualize propagations of passive current flows at approximately 100 m/s along internodes, i.e., continuous myelinated axons between nodes of Ranvier, from Xenopus laevis sciatic nerves and of electromagnetic pulses at approximately 5 × 107 m/s through lithium niobate. The spatiotemporal dynamics of both propagation processes are consistent with the results from computational models, demonstrating that Diff-CUP can span these two extreme timescales while maintaining high phase sensitivity. With its ultrahigh speed (picosecond resolution), high sensitivity, and noninvasiveness, Diff-CUP provides a powerful tool for investigating ultrafast biological and physical phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yide Zhang
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Binglin Shen
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Guangdong Province and Ministry of Education, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
- Key Laboratory of Space Photoelectric Detection and Perception, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Jerry Zhao
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Joseph C Jing
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Peng Wang
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Kanomi Sasaki-Capela
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - William G Dunphy
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - David Garrett
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Konstantin Maslov
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Lihong V Wang
- Caltech Optical Imaging Laboratory, Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
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7
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Merla C, Nardoni M, Scherman M, Petralito S, Caramazza L, Apollonio F, Liberti M, Paolicelli P, Attal-Tretout B, Mir LM. Changes in hydration of liposome membranes exposed to nanosecond electric pulses detected by wide-field Coherent anti-Stokes Raman microspectroscopy. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 147:108218. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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8
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Ruiz-Fernández AR, Campos L, Gutierrez-Maldonado SE, Núñez G, Villanelo F, Perez-Acle T. Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF): Opening the Biotechnological Pandora’s Box. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116158. [PMID: 35682837 PMCID: PMC9181413 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF) is an electrostimulation technique first developed in 1995; nsPEF requires the delivery of a series of pulses of high electric fields in the order of nanoseconds into biological tissues or cells. They primary effects in cells is the formation of membrane nanopores and the activation of ionic channels, leading to an incremental increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, which triggers a signaling cascade producing a variety of effects: from apoptosis up to cell differentiation and proliferation. Further, nsPEF may affect organelles, making nsPEF a unique tool to manipulate and study cells. This technique is exploited in a broad spectrum of applications, such as: sterilization in the food industry, seed germination, anti-parasitic effects, wound healing, increased immune response, activation of neurons and myocites, cell proliferation, cellular phenotype manipulation, modulation of gene expression, and as a novel cancer treatment. This review thoroughly explores both nsPEF’s history and applications, with emphasis on the cellular effects from a biophysics perspective, highlighting the role of ionic channels as a mechanistic driver of the increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro R. Ruiz-Fernández
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile; (L.C.); (S.E.G.-M.); (G.N.); (F.V.)
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastian, Bellavista 7, Santiago 8420524, Chile
- Correspondence: (A.R.R.-F.); (T.P.-A.)
| | - Leonardo Campos
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile; (L.C.); (S.E.G.-M.); (G.N.); (F.V.)
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastian, Bellavista 7, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Sebastian E. Gutierrez-Maldonado
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile; (L.C.); (S.E.G.-M.); (G.N.); (F.V.)
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastian, Bellavista 7, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Núñez
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile; (L.C.); (S.E.G.-M.); (G.N.); (F.V.)
| | - Felipe Villanelo
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile; (L.C.); (S.E.G.-M.); (G.N.); (F.V.)
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastian, Bellavista 7, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Tomas Perez-Acle
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile; (L.C.); (S.E.G.-M.); (G.N.); (F.V.)
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastian, Bellavista 7, Santiago 8420524, Chile
- Correspondence: (A.R.R.-F.); (T.P.-A.)
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9
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Yang L, Pierce S, Gould TW, Craviso GL, Leblanc N. Ultrashort nanosecond electric pulses activate a conductance in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells that involves cation entry through TRPC and NALCN channels. Arch Biochem Biophys 2022; 723:109252. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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10
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Saha R, Wu K, Bloom RP, Liang S, Tonini D, Wang JP. A review on magnetic and spintronic neurostimulation: challenges and prospects. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 33:182004. [PMID: 35013010 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac49be] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In the treatment of neurodegenerative, sensory and cardiovascular diseases, electrical probes and arrays have shown quite a promising success rate. However, despite the outstanding clinical outcomes, their operation is significantly hindered by non-selective control of electric fields. A promising alternative is micromagnetic stimulation (μMS) due to the high permeability of magnetic field through biological tissues. The induced electric field from the time-varying magnetic field generated by magnetic neurostimulators is used to remotely stimulate neighboring neurons. Due to the spatial asymmetry of the induced electric field, high spatial selectivity of neurostimulation has been realized. Herein, some popular choices of magnetic neurostimulators such as microcoils (μcoils) and spintronic nanodevices are reviewed. The neurostimulator features such as power consumption and resolution (aiming at cellular level) are discussed. In addition, the chronic stability and biocompatibility of these implantable neurostimulator are commented in favor of further translation to clinical settings. Furthermore, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), as another invaluable neurostimulation material, has emerged in recent years. Thus, in this review we have also included MNPs as a remote neurostimulation solution that overcomes physical limitations of invasive implants. Overall, this review provides peers with the recent development of ultra-low power, cellular-level, spatially selective magnetic neurostimulators of dimensions within micro- to nano-range for treating chronic neurological disorders. At the end of this review, some potential applications of next generation neuro-devices have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Saha
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Kai Wu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Robert P Bloom
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Denis Tonini
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
| | - Jian-Ping Wang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States of America
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11
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Eiber CD, Payne SC, Biscola NP, Havton LA, Keast JR, Osborne PB, Fallon JB. Computational modelling of nerve stimulation and recording with peripheral visceral neural interfaces. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 34740201 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac36e2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Neuromodulation of visceral nerves is being intensively studied for treating a wide range of conditions, but effective translation requires increasing the efficacy and predictability of neural interface performance. Here we use computational models of rat visceral nerve to predict how neuroanatomical variability could affect both electrical stimulation and recording with an experimental planar neural interface.Approach.We developed a hybrid computational pipeline,VisceralNerveEnsembleRecording andStimulation (ViNERS), to couple finite-element modelling of extracellular electrical fields with biophysical simulations of individual axons. Anatomical properties of fascicles and axons in rat pelvic and vagus nerves were measured or obtained from public datasets. To validate ViNERS, we simulated pelvic nerve stimulation and recording with an experimental four-electrode planar array.Main results.Axon diameters measured from pelvic nerve were used to model a population of myelinated and unmyelinated axons and simulate recordings of electrically evoked single-unit field potentials (SUFPs). Across visceral nerve fascicles of increasing size, our simulations predicted an increase in stimulation threshold and a decrease in SUFP amplitude. Simulated threshold changes were dominated by changes in perineurium thickness, which correlates with fascicle diameter. We also demonstrated that ViNERS could simulate recordings of electrically-evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) that were qualitatively similar to pelvic nerve recording made with the array used for simulation.Significance.We introduce ViNERS as a new open-source computational tool for modelling large-scale stimulation and recording from visceral nerves. ViNERS predicts how neuroanatomical variation in rat pelvic nerve affects stimulation and recording with an experimental planar electrode array. We show ViNERS can simulate ECAPS that capture features of our recordings, but our results suggest the underlying NEURON models need to be further refined and specifically adapted to accurately simulate visceral nerve axons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin D Eiber
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sophie C Payne
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Medical Bionics Department, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalia P Biscola
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States of America
| | - Leif A Havton
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States of America
| | - Janet R Keast
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peregrine B Osborne
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James B Fallon
- Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Medical Bionics Department, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Consales C, Merla C, Benassi B, Garcia-Sanchez T, Muscat A, André FM, Marino C, Mir LM. Biological effects of ultrashort electric pulses in a neuroblastoma cell line: the energy density role. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:109-121. [PMID: 34714724 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.1998704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the numerous literature results about biological effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, the interaction mechanisms of these fields with organisms are still a matter of debate. Extremely low frequency (ELF) MFs can modulate redox homeostasis and we showed that 24 h exposure to 50 Hz-1 mT has a pro-oxidant effect and effects on the epigenome of SH-SY5Y cells, decreasing miR-34b/c expression through the hypermethylation of their promoter. METHODS Here, we investigated the role of the electromagnetic deposited energy density (ED) during exposures lasting 24 h to 1 mT amplitude MFs at a frequency of 50 Hz in inducing the above mentioned effects. To this end, we delivered ultrashort electric pulses, in the range of microsecond and nanosecond duration, with the same ED of the previously performed magnetic exposure to SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, we explored the effect of higher deposited energy densities. Analysis of i) gene and microRNA expression, ii) cell morphology, iii) reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and iv) apoptosis were carried out. RESULTS We observed significant changes in egr-1 and c-fos expression at very low deposited ED levels, but no change of the ROS production, miR-34b/c expression, nor the appearance of indicators of apoptosis. We thus sought investigating changes in egr-1 and c-fos expression caused by ultrashort electric pulses at increasing deposited ED levels. The pulses with the higher deposited ED caused cell electroporation and even other morphological changes such as cell fusion. The changes in egr-1 and c-fos expression were more intense, but, again, no change of the ROS production, miR-34b/c expression, nor apoptosis induction was observed. CONCLUSIONS These results, showing that extremely low levels of electric stimulation (never investigated until now) can cause transcriptional changes, also reveal the safety of the electroporating pulses used in biomedical applications and open up the possibility to further therapeutic applications of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Consales
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA-Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Merla
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA-Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Benassi
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA-Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Tomás Garcia-Sanchez
- Institut Gustave Roussy, CNRS, Metabolic and Systemic Aspects of the Oncogenesis (METSY), Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adeline Muscat
- Institut Gustave Roussy, CNRS, Metabolic and Systemic Aspects of the Oncogenesis (METSY), Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Franck M André
- Institut Gustave Roussy, CNRS, Metabolic and Systemic Aspects of the Oncogenesis (METSY), Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Carmela Marino
- Division of Health Protection Technologies, ENEA-Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Rome, Italy
| | - Lluis M Mir
- Institut Gustave Roussy, CNRS, Metabolic and Systemic Aspects of the Oncogenesis (METSY), Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
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13
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Steelman ZA, Coker ZN, Kiester A, Noojin G, Ibey BL, Bixler JN. Quantitative phase microscopy monitors subcellular dynamics in single cells exposed to nanosecond pulsed electric fields. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2021; 14:e202100125. [PMID: 34291579 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202100125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A substantial body of literature exists to study the dynamics of single cells exposed to short duration (<1 μs), high peak power (~1 MV/m) transient electric fields. Much of this research is limited to traditional fluorescence-based microscopy techniques, which introduce exogenous agents to the culture and are only sensitive to a single molecular target. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is a coherent imaging modality which uses optical path length as a label-free contrast mechanism, and has proven highly effective for the study of single-cell dynamics. In this work, we introduce QPI as a useful imaging tool for the study of cells undergoing cytoskeletal remodeling after nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) exposure. In particular, we use cell swelling, dry mass and disorder strength measurements derived from QPI phase images to monitor the cellular response to nsPEFs. We hope this demonstration of QPI's utility will lead to a further adoption of the technique for the study of directed energy bioeffects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Steelman
- National Research Council Research Associateship Program, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Zachary N Coker
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- SAIC, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Allen Kiester
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Bioeffects Division, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | | | - Bennett L Ibey
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Bioeffects Division, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Joel N Bixler
- 711th Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Bioeffects Division, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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14
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Electroporation safety factor of 300 nanosecond and 10 millisecond defibrillation in Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257287. [PMID: 34559811 PMCID: PMC8462679 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257287] [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: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Recently, a new defibrillation modality using nanosecond pulses was shown to be effective at much lower energies than conventional 10 millisecond monophasic shocks in ex vivo experiments. Here we compare the safety factors of 300 nanosecond and 10 millisecond shocks to assess the safety of nanosecond defibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS The safety factor, i.e. the ratio of median effective doses (ED50) for electroporative damage and defibrillation, was assessed for nanosecond and conventional (millisecond) defibrillation shocks in Langendorff-perfused New Zealand white rabbit hearts. In order to allow for multiple shock applications in a single heart, a pair of needle electrodes was used to apply shocks of varying voltage. Propidium iodide (PI) staining at the surface of the heart showed that nanosecond shocks had a slightly lower safety factor (6.50) than millisecond shocks (8.69), p = 0.02; while PI staining cross-sections in the electrode plane showed no significant difference (5.38 for 300 ns shocks and 6.29 for 10 ms shocks, p = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS In Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts, nanosecond defibrillation has a similar safety factor as millisecond defibrillation, between 5 and 9, suggesting that nanosecond defibrillation can be performed safely.
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15
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Tolstykh GP, Valdez CM, Montgomery ND, Cantu JC, Sedelnikova A, Ibey BL. Intrinsic properties of primary hippocampal neurons contribute to PIP 2 depletion during nsEP-induced physiological response. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 142:107930. [PMID: 34450563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
High-energy, short-duration electric pulses (EPs) are known to be effective in neuromodulation, but the biological mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. Recently, we discovered that nanosecond electric pulses (nsEPs) could initiate the phosphatidylinositol4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) depletion in non-excitable cells identical to agonist-induced activation of the Gq11 coupled receptors. PIP2 is the precursor for multiple intracellular second messengers critically involved in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and plasma membrane (PM) ion channels responsible for the control of neuronal excitability. In this paper we demonstrate a novel finding that five day in vitro (DIV5) primary hippocampal neurons (PHNs) undergo significantly higher PIP2 depletion after 7.5 kV/cm 600 ns EP exposure than DIV1 PHNs and day 1-5 (D1-D5) non-excitable Chinese hamster ovarian cells with muscarinic receptor 1 (CHO-hM1). Despite the age of development, the stronger 15 kV/cm 600 ns or longer 7.5 kV/cm 12 µs EP initiated profound PIP2 depletion in all cells studied, outlining damage of the cellular PM and electroporation. Therefore, the intrinsic properties of PHNs in concert with nanoporation explain the stronger neuronal response to nsEP at lower intensity exposures. PIP2 reduction in neurons could be a primary biological mechanism responsible for the stimulation or inhibition of neuronal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleb P Tolstykh
- General Dynamics Information Technology, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
| | - Christopher M Valdez
- Air Force Research Laboratory, 711th Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Bioeffects Division, Radio Frequency Bioeffects Branch, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Noel D Montgomery
- Air Force Research Laboratory, 711th Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Bioeffects Division, Radio Frequency Bioeffects Branch, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | - Jody C Cantu
- General Dynamics Information Technology, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
| | | | - Bennett L Ibey
- Air Force Research Laboratory, 711th Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Bioeffects Division, Radio Frequency Bioeffects Branch, 4141 Petroleum Road, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
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16
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Kiester AS, Ibey BL, Coker ZN, Pakhomov AG, Bixler JN. Strobe photography mapping of cell membrane potential with nanosecond resolution. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 142:107929. [PMID: 34438186 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The ability to directly observe membrane potential charging dynamics across a full microscopic field of view is vital for understanding interactions between a biological system and a given electrical stimulus. Accurate empirical knowledge of cell membrane electrodynamics will enable validation of fundamental hypotheses posited by the single shell model, which includes the degree of voltage change across a membrane and cellular sensitivity to external electric field non-uniformity and directionality. To this end, we have developed a high-speed strobe microscopy system with a time resolution of ~ 6 ns that allows us to acquire time-sequential data for temporally repeatable events (non-injurious electrostimulation). The imagery from this system allows for direct comparison of membrane voltage change to both computationally simulated external electric fields and time-dependent membrane charging models. Acquisition of a full microscope field of view enables the selection of data from multiple cell locations experiencing different electrical fields in a single image sequence for analysis. Using this system, more realistic membrane parameters can be estimated from living cells to better inform predictive models. As a proof of concept, we present evidence that within the range of membrane conductivity used in simulation literature, higher values are likely more valid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen S Kiester
- Bioeffects Division, Airman System Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bennett L Ibey
- Bioeffects Division, Airman System Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Andrei G Pakhomov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Joel N Bixler
- Bioeffects Division, Airman System Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
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17
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Zemlin CW. Safety factor for electrostimulation with nanosecond pulses. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 141:107882. [PMID: 34274877 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
While electrical stimulation with pulses of milli- or microsecond duration is possible without electroporation, stimulation with nanosecond pulses typically entails electroporation, and nanosecond pulses can even cause electroporation without stimulation. A recently proposed explanation for this intriguing finding is that stimulation requires not only that a threshold membrane potential is reached, but also that it is sustained for a certain time tmin, while electroporation occurs almost immediately after a higher threshold potential is reached. Here we analytically derive stimulation and electroporation thresholds for membranes that satisfy these assumptions. We analyze the safety factor, i.e. the ratio between electroporation and stimulation threshold and its dependence on pulse duration, membrane charging time constant, and tmin. We find that the safety factor is sharply reduced if both the pulse duration and the membrane charging time constant are below tmin. We discuss different approaches to get models with varying tmin that could be used to experimentally test this theory and cardiac applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian W Zemlin
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8234, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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18
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Kim V, Gudvangen E, Kondratiev O, Redondo L, Xiao S, Pakhomov AG. Peculiarities of Neurostimulation by Intense Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields: How to Avoid Firing in Peripheral Nerve Fibers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137051. [PMID: 34208945 PMCID: PMC8269031 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Intense pulsed electric fields (PEF) are a novel modality for the efficient and targeted ablation of tumors by electroporation. The major adverse side effects of PEF therapies are strong involuntary muscle contractions and pain. Nanosecond-range PEF (nsPEF) are less efficient at neurostimulation and can be employed to minimize such side effects. We quantified the impact of the electrode configuration, PEF strength (up to 20 kV/cm), repetition rate (up to 3 MHz), bi- and triphasic pulse shapes, and pulse duration (down to 10 ns) on eliciting compound action potentials (CAPs) in nerve fibers. The excitation thresholds for single unipolar but not bipolar stimuli followed the classic strength–duration dependence. The addition of the opposite polarity phase for nsPEF increased the excitation threshold, with symmetrical bipolar nsPEF being the least efficient. Stimulation by nsPEF bursts decreased the excitation threshold as a power function above a critical duty cycle of 0.1%. The threshold reduction was much weaker for symmetrical bipolar nsPEF. Supramaximal stimulation by high-rate nsPEF bursts elicited only a single CAP as long as the burst duration did not exceed the nerve refractory period. Such brief bursts of bipolar nsPEF could be the best choice to minimize neuromuscular stimulation in ablation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitalii Kim
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (V.K.); (E.G.); (S.X.)
| | - Emily Gudvangen
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (V.K.); (E.G.); (S.X.)
| | | | - Luis Redondo
- Lisbon Engineering Superior Institute, GIAAPP/ISEL, 1959-007 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Shu Xiao
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (V.K.); (E.G.); (S.X.)
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA
| | - Andrei G. Pakhomov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (V.K.); (E.G.); (S.X.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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Exploring the Conformational Changes Induced by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields on the Voltage Sensing Domain of a Ca 2+ Channel. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11070473. [PMID: 34206827 PMCID: PMC8303878 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11070473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF or Nano Pulsed Stimulation, NPS) is a technology that delivers a series of pulses of high-voltage electric fields during a short period of time, in the order of nanoseconds. The main consequence of nsPEF upon cells is the formation of nanopores, which is followed by the gating of ionic channels. Literature is conclusive in that the physiological mechanisms governing ion channel gating occur in the order of milliseconds. Hence, understanding how these channels can be activated by a nsPEF would be an important step in order to conciliate fundamental biophysical knowledge with improved nsPEF applications. To get insights on both the kinetics and thermodynamics of ion channel gating induced by nsPEF, in this work, we simulated the Voltage Sensing Domain (VSD) of a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, inserted in phospholipidic membranes with different concentrations of cholesterol. We studied the conformational changes of the VSD under a nsPEF mimicked by the application of a continuous electric field lasting 50 ns with different intensities as an approach to reveal novel mechanisms leading to ion channel gating in such short timescales. Our results show that using a membrane with high cholesterol content, under an nsPEF of 50 ns and E→ = 0.2 V/nm, the VSD undergoes major conformational changes. As a whole, our work supports the notion that membrane composition may act as an allosteric regulator, specifically cholesterol content, which is fundamental for the response of the VSD to an external electric field. Moreover, changes on the VSD structure suggest that the gating of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by a nsPEF may be due to major conformational changes elicited in response to the external electric field. Finally, the VSD/cholesterol-bilayer under an nsPEF of 50 ns and E→ = 0.2 V/nm elicits a pore formation across the VSD suggesting a new non-reported effect of nsPEF into cells, which can be called a “protein mediated electroporation”.
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20
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5 ns electric pulses induce Ca 2+-dependent exocytotic release of catecholamine from adrenal chromaffin cells. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107830. [PMID: 33965669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Previously we reported that adrenal chromaffin cells exposed to a 5 ns, 5 MV/m pulse release the catecholamines norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Here we determined that NE and EPI release increased with pulse number (one versus five and ten pulses at 1 Hz), established that release occurs by exocytosis, and characterized the exocytotic response in real-time. Evidence of an exocytotic mechanism was the appearance of dopamine-β-hydroxylase on the plasma membrane, and the demonstration by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy studies that a train of five or ten pulses at 1 Hz triggered the release of the fluorescent dye acridine orange from secretory granules. Release events were Ca2+-dependent, longer-lived relative to those evoked by nicotinic receptor stimulation, and occurred with a delay of several seconds despite an immediate rise in Ca2+. In complementary studies, cells labeled with the plasma membrane fluorescent dye FM 1-43 and exposed to a train of ten pulses at 1 Hz underwent Ca2+-dependent increases in FM 1-43 fluorescence indicative of granule fusion with the plasma membrane due to exocytosis. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of ultrashort electric pulses for stimulating catecholamine release, signifying their promise as a novel electrostimulation modality for neurosecretion.
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21
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Eiber CD, Delbeke J, Cardoso J, de Neeling M, John SE, Lee CW, Skefos J, Sun A, Prodanov D, McKinney Z. Preliminary Minimum Reporting Requirements for In-Vivo Neural Interface Research: I. Implantable Neural Interfaces. IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 2:74-83. [PMID: 33997788 PMCID: PMC8118094 DOI: 10.1109/ojemb.2021.3060919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The pace of research and development in neuroscience, neurotechnology, and neurorehabilitation is rapidly accelerating, with the number of publications doubling every 4.2 years. Maintaining this progress requires technological standards and scientific reporting guidelines to provide frameworks for communication and interoperability. The present lack of such neurotechnology standards limits the transparency, repro-ducibility, and meta-analysis of this growing body of literature, posing an ongoing barrier to research, clinical, and commercial objectives. Continued neurotechnological innovation requires the development of some minimal standards to promote integration between this broad spectrum of technologies and therapies. To preserve design freedom and accelerate the translation of research into safe and effective technologies with maximal user benefit, such standards must be collaboratively co-developed by the full range of neuroscience and neurotechnology stakeholders. This paper summarizes the preliminary recommendations of IEEE P2794 Standards Working Group, developing a Reporting Standard for in-vivo Neural Interface Research (RSNIR).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jorge Cardoso
- Instituto de Medicina MolecularFaculdade de Medicina, Universidade de LisboaLisbon1649-028Portugal
| | | | - Sam E. John
- University of MelbourneMelbourne3010Australia
| | | | | | - Argus Sun
- University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | | | - Zach McKinney
- BioRobotics Institute and Center for Excellence in Robotics and AIScuola Superiore Sant'Anna56127PisaItaly
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22
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2-ns Electrostimulation of Ca 2+ Influx into Chromaffin Cells: Rapid Modulation by Field Reversal. Biophys J 2020; 120:556-567. [PMID: 33359835 PMCID: PMC7895993 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular effects of nanosecond-pulsed electric field exposures can be attenuated by an electric field reversal, a phenomenon called bipolar pulse cancellation. Our investigations of this phenomenon in neuroendocrine adrenal chromaffin cells show that a single 2-ns, 16 MV/m unipolar pulse elicited a rapid, transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ levels due to Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated calcium channels. The response was eliminated by a 2-ns bipolar pulse with positive and negative phases of equal duration and amplitude and fully restored (unipolar-equivalent response) when the delay between each phase of the bipolar pulse was 30 ns. Longer interphase intervals evoked Ca2+ responses that were greater in magnitude than those evoked by a unipolar pulse (stimulation). Cancellation was also observed when the amplitude of the second (negative) phase of the bipolar pulse was half that of the first (positive) phase but progressively lost as the amplitude of the second phase was incrementally increased above that of the first phase. When the amplitude of the second phase was twice that of the first phase, there was stimulation. By comparing the experimental results for each manipulation of the bipolar pulse waveform with analytical calculations of capacitive membrane charging/discharging, also known as accelerated membrane discharge mechanism, we show that the transition from cancellation to unipolar-equivalent stimulation broadly agrees with this model. Taken as a whole, our results demonstrate that electrostimulation of adrenal chromaffin cells with ultrashort pulses can be modulated with interphase intervals of tens of nanoseconds, a prediction of the accelerated membrane discharge mechanism not previously observed in other bipolar pulse cancellation studies. Such modulation of Ca2+ responses in a neural-type cell is promising for the potential use of nanosecond bipolar pulse technologies for remote electrostimulation applications for neuromodulation.
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23
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Lee JW. Protonic conductor: better understanding neural resting and action potential. J Neurophysiol 2020; 124:1029-1044. [PMID: 32816602 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00281.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
With the employment of the transmembrane electrostatic proton localization theory with a new membrane potential equation, neural resting and action potential is now much better understood as the voltage contributed by the localized protons/cations at a neural liquid- membrane interface. Accordingly, the neural resting/action potential is essentially a protonic/cationic membrane capacitor behavior. It is now understood with a newly formulated action potential equation: when action potential is <0 (negative number), the localized protons/cations charge density at the liquid-membrane interface along the periplasmic side is >0 (positive number); when the action potential is >0, the concentration of the localized protons and localized nonproton cations is <0, indicating a "depolarization" state. The nonlinear curve of the localized protons/cations charge density in the real-time domain of an action potential spike appears as an inverse mirror image to the action potential. The newly formulated action potential equation provides biophysical insights for neuron electrophysiology, which may represent a complementary development to the classic Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. With the use of the action potential equation, the biological significance of axon myelination is now also elucidated as to provide protonic insulation and prevent any ions both inside and outside of the neuron from interfering with the action potential signal, so that the action potential can quickly propagate along the axon with minimal (e.g., 40 times less) energy requirement.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The newly formulated action potential equation provides biophysical insights for neuron electrophysiology, which may represent a complementary development to the classic Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. The nonlinear curve of the localized protons/cations charge density in the real-time domain of an action potential spike appears as an inverse mirror image to the action potential. The biological significance of axon myelination is now elucidated as to provide protonic insulation and prevent any ions from interfering with action potential signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Weifu Lee
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
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24
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Pakhomov AG, Pakhomova ON. The interplay of excitation and electroporation in nanosecond pulse stimulation. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 136:107598. [PMID: 32711366 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Conventional electric stimuli of micro- and millisecond duration excite or activate cells at voltages 10-100 times below the electroporation threshold. This ratio is remarkably different for nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP), which caused excitation and activation only at or above the electroporation threshold in diverse cell lines, primary cardiomyocytes, neurons, and chromaffin cells. Depolarization to the excitation threshold often results from (or is assisted by) the loss of the resting membrane potential due to ion leaks across the membrane permeabilized by nsEP. Slow membrane resealing and the build-up of electroporation damages prevent repetitive excitation by nsEP. However, peripheral nerves and muscles are exempt from this rule and withstand multiple cycles of excitation by nsEP without the loss of function or signs of electroporation. We show that the damage-free excitation by nsEP may be enabled by the membrane charging time constant sufficiently large to (1) cap the peak transmembrane voltage during nsEP below the electroporation threshold, and (2) extend the post-nsEP depolarization long enough to activate voltage-gated ion channels. The low excitatory efficacy of nsEP compared to longer pulses makes them advantageous for medical applications where the neuromuscular excitation is an unwanted side effect, such as electroporation-based cancer and tissue ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei G Pakhomov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA.
| | - Olga N Pakhomova
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA
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25
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Yang L, Pierce S, Chatterjee I, Craviso GL, Leblanc N. Paradoxical effects on voltage-gated Na+ conductance in adrenal chromaffin cells by twin vs single high intensity nanosecond electric pulses. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234114. [PMID: 32516325 PMCID: PMC7282663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that a single 5 ns high intensity electric pulse (NEP) caused an E-field-dependent decrease in peak inward voltage-gated Na+ current (INa) in isolated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. This study explored the effects of a pair of 5 ns pulses on INa recorded in the same cell type, and how varying the E-field amplitude and interval between the pulses altered its response. Regardless of the E-field strength (5 to 10 MV/m), twin NEPs having interpulse intervals ≥ than 5 s caused the inhibition of TTX-sensitive INa to approximately double relative to that produced by a single pulse. However, reducing the interval from 1 s to 10 ms between twin NEPs at E-fields of 5 and 8 MV/m but not 10 MV/m decreased the magnitude of the additive inhibitory effect by the second pulse in a pair on INa. The enhanced inhibitory effects of twin vs single NEPs on INa were not due to a shift in the voltage-dependence of steady-state activation and inactivation but were associated with a reduction in maximal Na+ conductance. Paradoxically, reducing the interval between twin NEPs at 5 or 8 MV/m but not 10 MV/m led to a progressive interval-dependent recovery of INa, which after 9 min exceeded the level of INa reached following the application of a single NEP. Disrupting lipid rafts by depleting membrane cholesterol with methyl-β-cyclodextrin enhanced the inhibitory effects of twin NEPs on INa and ablated the progressive recovery of this current at short twin pulse intervals, suggesting a complete dissociation of the inhibitory effects of twin NEPs on this current from their ability to stimulate its recovery. Our results suggest that in contrast to a single NEP, twin NEPs may influence membrane lipid rafts in a manner that enhances the trafficking of newly synthesized and/or recycling of endocytosed voltage-gated Na+ channels, thereby pointing to novel means to regulate ion channels in excitable cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, United States of America
| | - Sophia Pierce
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, United States of America
| | - Indira Chatterjee
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States of America
| | - Gale L. Craviso
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, United States of America
| | - Normand Leblanc
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, United States of America
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Rems L, Kasimova MA, Testa I, Delemotte L. Pulsed Electric Fields Can Create Pores in the Voltage Sensors of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels. Biophys J 2020; 119:190-205. [PMID: 32559411 PMCID: PMC7335976 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulsed electric fields are increasingly used in medicine to transiently increase the cell membrane permeability via electroporation to deliver therapeutic molecules into the cell. One type of event that contributes to this increase in membrane permeability is the formation of pores in the membrane lipid bilayer. However, electrophysiological measurements suggest that membrane proteins are affected as well, particularly voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs). The molecular mechanisms by which the electric field could affects these molecules remain unidentified. In this study, we used molecular dynamics simulations to unravel the molecular events that take place in different VGICs when exposing them to electric fields mimicking electroporation conditions. We show that electric fields can induce pores in the voltage-sensor domains (VSDs) of different VGICs and that these pores form more easily in some channels than in others. We demonstrate that poration is more likely in VSDs that are more hydrated and are electrostatically more favorable for the entry of ions. We further show that pores in VSDs can expand into so-called complex pores, which become stabilized by lipid headgroups. Our results suggest that such complex pores are considerably more stable than conventional lipid pores, and their formation can lead to severe unfolding of VSDs from the channel. We anticipate that such VSDs become dysfunctional and unable to respond to changes in transmembrane voltage, which is in agreement with previous electrophysiological measurements showing a decrease in the voltage-dependent transmembrane ionic currents after pulse treatment. Finally, we discuss the possibility of activation of VGICs by submicrosecond-duration pulses. Overall, our study reveals a new, to our knowledge, mechanism of electroporation through membranes containing VGICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Rems
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Marina A Kasimova
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ilaria Testa
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Lucie Delemotte
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden.
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27
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Hamada Y, Furumoto Y, Izutani A, Taniuchi S, Miyake M, Oyadomari M, Teranishi K, Shimomura N, Oyadomari S. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields induce the integrated stress response via reactive oxygen species-mediated heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) activation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229948. [PMID: 32155190 PMCID: PMC7064201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) is one of the most important cytoprotective mechanisms and is integrated by phosphorylation of the α subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α). Four eIF2α kinases, heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI), double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2), are activated in response to several stress conditions. We previously reported that nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) are a potential therapeutic tool for ISR activation. In this study, we examined which eIF2α kinase is activated by nsPEF treatment. To assess the responsible eIF2α kinase, we used previously established eIF2α kinase quadruple knockout (4KO) and single eIF2α kinase-rescued 4KO mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. nsPEFs 70 ns in duration with 30 kV/cm electric fields caused eIF2α phosphorylation in wild-type (WT) MEF cells. On the other hand, nsPEF-induced eIF2α phosphorylation was completely abolished in 4KO MEF cells and was recovered by HRI overexpression. CM-H2DCFDA staining showed that nsPEFs generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), which activated HRI. nsPEF-induced eIF2α phosphorylation was blocked by treatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Our results indicate that the eIF2α kinase HRI is responsible for nsPEF-induced ISR activation and is activated by nsPEF-generated ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Hamada
- Division of Molecular Biology, Institute for Genome Research, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yuji Furumoto
- Institute of Technology and Science, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Akira Izutani
- Institute of Technology and Science, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shusuke Taniuchi
- Division of Molecular Biology, Institute for Genome Research, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Diabetes Therapeutics and Research Center, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Masato Miyake
- Division of Molecular Biology, Institute for Genome Research, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Diabetes Therapeutics and Research Center, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Miho Oyadomari
- Division of Molecular Biology, Institute for Genome Research, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kenji Teranishi
- Institute of Technology and Science, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Shimomura
- Institute of Technology and Science, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Seiichi Oyadomari
- Division of Molecular Biology, Institute for Genome Research, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Diabetes Therapeutics and Research Center, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- * E-mail:
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28
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Průša J, Cifra M. Molecular dynamics simulation of the nanosecond pulsed electric field effect on kinesin nanomotor. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19721. [PMID: 31873109 PMCID: PMC6928163 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56052-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinesin is a biological molecular nanomotor which converts chemical energy into mechanical work. To fulfill various nanotechnological tasks in engineered environments, the function of biological molecular motors can be altered by artificial chemical modifications. The drawback of this approach is the necessity of designing and creating a new motor construct for every new task. We propose that intense nanosecond-scale pulsed electric field could modify the function of nanomotors. To explore this hypothesis, we performed molecular dynamics simulation of a kinesin motor domain docked on a subunit of its microtubule track - a single tubulin heterodimer. In the simulation, we exposed the kinesin motor domain to intense (100 MV/m) electric field up to 30 ns. We found that both the magnitude and angle of the kinesin dipole moment are affected. Furthermore, we found that the electric field affects contact surface area between kinesin and tubulin, the structure and dynamics of the functionally important kinesin segments, including microtubule binding motifs as well as nucleotide hydrolysis site which power the nanomotor. These findings indicate that external intense nanosecond-scale electric field could alter kinesin behavior. Our results contribute to developing novel electromagnetic methods for modulating the function of biomolecular matter at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Průša
- Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Chaberska 1014/57, Prague, 18251, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 5, Prague, 16628, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Cifra
- Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Chaberska 1014/57, Prague, 18251, Czech Republic.
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29
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Casciola M, Xiao S, Apollonio F, Paffi A, Liberti M, Muratori C, Pakhomov AG. Cancellation of nerve excitation by the reversal of nanosecond stimulus polarity and its relevance to the gating time of sodium channels. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4539-4550. [PMID: 31055644 PMCID: PMC11105181 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03126-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The initiation of action potentials (APs) by membrane depolarization occurs after a brief vulnerability period, during which excitation can be abolished by the reversal of the stimulus polarity. This vulnerability period is determined by the time needed for gating of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC). We compared nerve excitation by ultra-short uni- and bipolar stimuli to define the time frame of bipolar cancellation and of AP initiation. Propagating APs in isolated frog sciatic nerve were elicited by cathodic pulses (200 ns-300 µs), followed by an anodic (canceling) pulse of the same duration after a 0-200-µs delay. We found that the earliest and the latest boundaries for opening the critical number of VGSC needed to initiate AP are, respectively, between 11 and 20 µs and between 100 and 200 µs after the onset of depolarization. Stronger depolarization accelerated AP initiation, apparently due to faster VGSC opening, but not beyond the 11-µs limit. Bipolar cancellation was augmented by reducing pulse duration, shortening the delay between pulses, decreasing the amplitude of the cathodic pulse, and increasing the amplitude of the anodic one. Some of these characteristics contrasted the bipolar cancellation of cell membrane electroporation (Pakhomov et al. in Bioelectrochemistry 122:123-133, 2018; Gianulis et al. in Bioelectrochemistry 119:10-19, 2017), suggesting different mechanisms. The ratio of nerve excitation thresholds for a unipolar cathodic pulse and a symmetrical bipolar pulse increased as a power function as the pulse duration decreased, in remarkable agreement with the predictions of SENN model of nerve excitation (Reilly and Diamant in Health Phys 83(3):356-365, 2002).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Casciola
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, 4211 Monarch Way, Suite 300, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Shu Xiao
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, 4211 Monarch Way, Suite 300, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Francesca Apollonio
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications (D.I.E.T.), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Paffi
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications (D.I.E.T.), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Micaela Liberti
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications (D.I.E.T.), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Muratori
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, 4211 Monarch Way, Suite 300, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Andrei G Pakhomov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, 4211 Monarch Way, Suite 300, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA.
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30
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Selective distant electrostimulation by synchronized bipolar nanosecond pulses. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13116. [PMID: 31511591 PMCID: PMC6739416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49664-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A unique aspect of electrostimulation (ES) with nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) is the inhibition of effects when the polarity is reversed. This bipolar cancellation feature makes bipolar nsEP less efficient at biostimulation than unipolar nsEP. We propose to minimize stimulation near pulse-delivering electrodes by applying bipolar nsEP, whereas the superposition of two phase-shifted bipolar nsEP from two independent sources yields a biologically-effective unipolar pulse remotely. This is accomplished by electrical compensation of all nsEP phases except the first one, resulting in the restoration of stimulation efficiency due to cancellation of bipolar cancellation (CANCAN-ES). We experimentally proved the CANCAN-ES paradigm by measuring YO-PRO-1 dye uptake in CHO-K1 cells which were permeabilized by multiphasic nsEP (600 ns per phase) from two generators; these nsEP were synchronized either to overlap into a unipolar pulse remotely from electrodes (CANCAN), or not to overlap (control). Enhancement of YO-PRO-1 entry due to CANCAN was observed in all sets of experiments and reached ~3-fold in the center of the gap between electrodes, exactly where the unipolar pulse was formed, and equaled the degree of bipolar cancellation. CANCAN-ES is promising for non-invasive deep tissue stimulation, either alone or combined with other remote stimulation techniques to improve targeting.
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31
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Excitation and electroporation by MHz bursts of nanosecond stimuli. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 518:759-764. [PMID: 31472962 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Intense nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) is a novel modality for cell activation and nanoelectroporation. Applications of nsPEF in research and therapy are hindered by a high electric field requirement, typically from 1 to over 50 kV/cm to elicit any bioeffects. We show how this requirement can be overcome by engaging temporal summation when pulses are compressed into high-rate bursts (up to several MHz). This approach was tested for excitation of ventricular cardiomyocytes and peripheral nerve fibers; for membrane electroporation of cardiomyocytes, CHO, and HEK cells; and for killing EL-4 cells. MHz compression of nsPEF bursts (100-1000 pulses) enables excitation at only 0.01-0.15 kV/cm and electroporation already at 0.4-0.6 kV/cm. Clear separation of excitation and electroporation thresholds allows for multiple excitation cycles without membrane disruption. The efficiency of nsPEF bursts increases with the duty cycle (by increasing either pulse duration or repetition rate) and with increasing the total time "on" (by increasing either pulse duration or number). For some endpoints, the efficiency of nsPEF bursts matches a single "long" pulse whose amplitude and duration equal the time-average amplitude and duration of the bursts. For other endpoints this rule is not valid, presumably because of nsPEF-specific bioeffects and/or possible modification of targets already during the burst. MHz compression of nsPEF bursts is a universal and efficient way to lower excitation thresholds and facilitate electroporation.
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32
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Bagalkot TR, Leblanc N, Craviso GL. Stimulation or Cancellation of Ca 2+ Influx by Bipolar Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields in Adrenal Chromaffin Cells Can Be Achieved by Tuning Pulse Waveform. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11545. [PMID: 31395918 PMCID: PMC6687888 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47929-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposing adrenal chromaffin cells to single 150 to 400 ns electric pulses triggers a rise in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) that is due to Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) and plasma membrane electropores. Immediate delivery of a second pulse of the opposite polarity in which the duration and amplitude were the same as the first pulse (a symmetrical bipolar pulse) or greater than the first pulse (an asymmetrical bipolar pulse) had a stimulatory effect, evoking larger Ca2+ responses than the corresponding unipolar pulse. Progressively decreasing the amplitude of the opposite polarity pulse while also increasing its duration converted stimulation to attenuation, which reached a maximum of 43% when the positive phase was 150 ns at 3.1 kV/cm, and the negative phase was 800 ns at 0.2 kV/cm. When VGCCs were blocked, Ca2+ responses evoked by asymmetrical and even symmetrical bipolar pulses were significantly reduced relative to those evoked by the corresponding unipolar pulse under the same conditions, indicating that attenuation involved mainly the portion of Ca2+ influx attributable to membrane electropermeabilization. Thus, by tuning the shape of the bipolar pulse, Ca2+ entry into chromaffin cells through electropores could be attenuated while preserving Ca2+ influx through VGCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarique R Bagalkot
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA.
| | - Normand Leblanc
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Gale L Craviso
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
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33
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Lamberti P, Compitiello M, Romeo S, Lamberti P, Compitiello M, Romeo S, Lamberti P, Romeo S, Compitiello M. ns Pulsed Electric Field-Induced Action Potentials in the Circuital Model of an Axon. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2019; 17:110-116. [PMID: 29870334 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2018.2822840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Pulsed electric fields with duration in the sub- and ns time scale (nsPEFs) increase the permeability of cell membranes, enabling the transport of normally impermeant molecules into or out of the cell (electroporation). Such effect is associated to intracellular alterations and indicates nsPEFs as a new stimulus to modulate cell functions. In particular, studies dealing with the application of nsPEFs to excitable cells suggest their use for the stimulation/inhibition of cell excitation. In this paper, the circuital model per surface unit of the plasma membrane of an axon was developed to implement the Hodgkin and Huxley equations, describing the action potential activation process. For the first time, a power electronics circuital simulator was adopted. The model was first validated with conventional microsecond stimuli, and then it was employed to identify the conditions for cell excitation by nsPEFs. The results demonstrated the possibility of electrostimulation by nsPEFs at depolarization levels far below those required for inducing electroporation, and with ionic current dynamics similar to that induced by conventional stimuli, confirming recent experimental findings. Moreover, by using a power electronics tool, easier integration of the cell modeling with the design and optimization of pulse generation systems can be gained.
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34
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Ning T, Guo J, Zhang K, Li K, Zhang J, Yang Z, Ge Z. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields enhanced chondrogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells via JNK/CREB-STAT3 signaling pathway. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:45. [PMID: 30678730 PMCID: PMC6346554 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1133-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) can produce more significant biological effects than traditional electric fields and have thus attracted rising attention in developing medical applications based on short pulse duration and high field strength, such as effective cancer therapy. However, little is known about their effects on the differentiation of stem cells. Furthermore, mechanisms of electric fields on chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remain elusive, and effects of electric fields on cartilage regeneration need to be verified in vivo. Here, we aimed to study the effects of nsPEFs on chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro and in vivo and further to explore the mechanisms behind the phenomenon. Methods The effects of nsPEF-preconditioning on chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro were evaluated using cell viability, gene expression, glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content, and histological staining, as well as in vivo cartilage regeneration in osteochondral defects of rats. Signaling pathways were investigated with protein expression and gene expression, respectively. Results nsPEF-preconditioning with proper parameters (10 ns at 20 kV/cm, 100 ns at 10 kV/cm) significantly potentiated chondrogenic differentiation capacity of MSCs with upregulated cartilaginous gene expression and increased matrix deposition through activation of C-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), followed by activation of downstream signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3). Implantation of nsPEF-preconditioned MSCs significantly enhanced cartilage regeneration in vivo, compared with implantation of non-nsPEF-preconditioned MSCs. Conclusion This study demonstrates a unique approach of nsPEF treatment to potentiate the chondrogenic ability of MSCs through activation of JNK/CREB-STAT3 that could have translational potential for MSC-based cartilage regeneration. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-019-1133-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Ning
- , Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100871, China.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.,Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jinsong Guo
- Institute of Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Kejia Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- Institute of Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. .,Center for BioMed-X Research, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Zheng Yang
- Tissue Engineering Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 27 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117510, Singapore
| | - Zigang Ge
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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35
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Azarov JE, Semenov I, Casciola M, Pakhomov AG. Excitation of murine cardiac myocytes by nanosecond pulsed electric field. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2019; 30:392-401. [PMID: 30582656 DOI: 10.1111/jce.13834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opening of voltage-gated sodium channels takes tens to hundreds of microseconds, and mechanisms of their opening by nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) stimuli remain elusive. This study was aimed at uncovering the mechanisms of how nsPEF elicits action potentials (APs) in cardiomyocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS Fluorescent imaging of optical APs (FluoVolt) and Ca2+ -transients (Fluo-4) was performed in enzymatically isolated murine ventricular cardiomyocytes stimulated by 200-nanosecond trapezoidal pulses. nsPEF stimulation evoked tetrodotoxin-sensitive APs accompanied or preceded by slow sustained depolarization (SSD) and, in most cells, by transient afterdepolarization waves. SSD threshold was lower than the AP threshold (1.26 ± 0.03 vs 1.34 ± 0.03 kV/cm, respectively, P < 0.001). Inhibition of l-type calcium and sodium-calcium exchanger currents reduced the SSD amplitude and increased the AP threshold ( P < 0.05). The threshold for Ca 2+ -transients (1.40 ± 0.04 kV/cm) was not significantly affected by a tetrodotoxin-verapamil cocktail, suggesting the activation of a Ca 2+ entry pathway independent from the opening of Na + or Ca 2+ voltage-gated channels. Removal of external Ca 2+ decreased the SSD amplitude ( P = 0.004) and blocked Ca 2+ -transients but not APs. The incidence of transient afterdepolarization waves was decreased by verapamil and by removal of external Ca 2+ ( P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The study established that nsPEF stimulation caused calcium entry into cardiac myocytes (including routes other than voltage-gated calcium channels) and SSD. Tetrodotoxin-sensitive APs were mediated by SSD, whose amplitude depended on the calcium entry. Plasma membrane electroporation was the most likely primary mechanism of SSD with additional contribution from l-type calcium and sodium-calcium exchanger currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan E Azarov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia.,Laboratory of Cardiac Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russia.,Department of Physiology, Medical Institute of Pitirim Sorokin Syktyvkar State University, Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - Iurii Semenov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
| | - Maura Casciola
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
| | - Andrei G Pakhomov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
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36
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Semenov I, Grigoryev S, Neuber JU, Zemlin CW, Pakhomova ON, Casciola M, Pakhomov AG. Excitation and injury of adult ventricular cardiomyocytes by nano- to millisecond electric shocks. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8233. [PMID: 29844431 PMCID: PMC5974370 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26521-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intense electric shocks of nanosecond (ns) duration can become a new modality for more efficient but safer defibrillation. We extended strength-duration curves for excitation of cardiomyocytes down to 200 ns, and compared electroporative damage by proportionally more intense shocks of different duration. Enzymatically isolated murine, rabbit, and swine adult ventricular cardiomyocytes (VCM) were loaded with a Ca2+ indicator Fluo-4 or Fluo-5N and subjected to shocks of increasing amplitude until a Ca2+ transient was optically detected. Then, the voltage was increased 5-fold, and the electric cell injury was quantified by the uptake of a membrane permeability marker dye, propidium iodide. We established that: (1) Stimuli down to 200-ns duration can elicit Ca2+ transients, although repeated ns shocks often evoke abnormal responses, (2) Stimulation thresholds expectedly increase as the shock duration decreases, similarly for VCMs from different species, (3) Stimulation threshold energy is minimal for the shortest shocks, (4) VCM orientation with respect to the electric field does not affect the threshold for ns shocks, and (5) The shortest shocks cause the least electroporation injury. These findings support further exploration of ns defibrillation, although abnormal response patterns to repetitive ns stimuli are of a concern and require mechanistic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iurii Semenov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Sergey Grigoryev
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Johanna U Neuber
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Christian W Zemlin
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Olga N Pakhomova
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Maura Casciola
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA
| | - Andrei G Pakhomov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23508, USA.
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37
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Dermol-Černe J, Miklavčič D, Reberšek M, Mekuč P, Bardet SM, Burke R, Arnaud-Cormos D, Leveque P, O'Connor R. Plasma membrane depolarization and permeabilization due to electric pulses in cell lines of different excitability. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 122:103-114. [PMID: 29621662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In electroporation-based medical treatments, excitable tissues are treated, either intentionally (irreversible electroporation of brain cancer, gene electrotransfer or ablation of the heart muscle, gene electrotransfer of skeletal muscles), or unintentionally (excitable tissues near the target area). We investigated how excitable and non-excitable cells respond to electric pulses, and if electroporation could be an effective treatment of the tumours of the central nervous system. For three non-excitable and one excitable cell line, we determined a strength-duration curve for a single pulse of 10ns-10ms. The threshold for depolarization decreased with longer pulses and was higher for excitable cells. We modelled the response with the Lapicque curve and the Hodgkin-Huxley model. At 1μs a plateau of excitability was reached which could explain why high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) electroporates but does not excite cells. We exposed cells to standard electrochemotherapy parameters (8×100μs pulses, 1Hz, different voltages). Cells behaved similarly which indicates that electroporation most probably occurs at the level of lipid bilayer, independently of the voltage-gated channels. These results could be used for optimization of electric pulses to achieve maximal permeabilization and minimal excitation/pain sensation. In the future, it should be established whether the in vitro depolarization correlates to nerve/muscle stimulation and pain sensation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Dermol-Černe
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Matej Reberšek
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Primož Mekuč
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tržaška cesta 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sylvia M Bardet
- University of Limoges, CNRS, XLIM, UMR 7252, F-87000 Limoges, France.
| | - Ryan Burke
- University of Limoges, CNRS, XLIM, UMR 7252, F-87000 Limoges, France
| | | | - Philippe Leveque
- University of Limoges, CNRS, XLIM, UMR 7252, F-87000 Limoges, France.
| | - Rodney O'Connor
- École des Mines de Saint-Étienne, Department of Bioelectronics, Georges Charpak Campus, Centre Microélectronique de Provence, 880 Route de Mimet, 13120 Gardanne, France.
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