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Rampazzo E, Persano L, Karim N, Hodgking G, Pinto R, Casciati A, Tanori M, Zambotti A, Bresolin S, Cani A, Pannicelli A, Davies IW, Hancock C, Palego C, Viola G, Mancuso M, Merla C. On the effects of 30.5 GHz sinusoidal wave exposure on glioblastoma organoids. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1307516. [PMID: 38884089 PMCID: PMC11176452 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1307516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glioblastoma (grade IV) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults, representing one of the biggest therapeutic challenges due to its highly aggressive nature. In this study, we investigated the impact of millimeter waves on tridimensional glioblastoma organoids derived directly from patient tumors. Our goal was to explore novel therapeutic possibilities in the fight against this challenging disease. Methods The exposure setup was meticulously developed in-house, and we employed a comprehensive dosimetry approach, combining numerical and experimental methods. Biological endpoints included a global transcriptional profiling analysis to highlight possible deregulated pathways, analysis of cell morphological changes, and cell phenotypic characterization which are all important players in the control of glioblastoma progression. Results and discussion Our results revealed a significant effect of continuous millimeter waves at 30.5 GHz on cell proliferation and apoptosis, although without affecting the differentiation status of glioblastoma cells composing the organoids. Excitingly, when applying a power level of 0.1 W (Root Mean Square), we discovered a remarkable (statistically significant) therapeutic effect when combined with the chemotherapeutic agent Temozolomide, leading to increased glioblastoma cell death. These findings present a promising interventional window for treating glioblastoma cells, harnessing the potential therapeutic benefits of 30.5 GHz CW exposure. Temperature increase during treatments was carefully monitored and simulated with a good agreement, demonstrating a negligible involvement of the temperature elevation for the observed effects. By exploring this innovative approach, we pave the way for improved future treatments of glioblastoma that has remained exceptionally challenging until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rampazzo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health (SDB), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Persano
- Department of Women's and Children's Health (SDB), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Nissar Karim
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rosanna Pinto
- National Italian Agency for Energy New Technologies and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Division of Health Protection Technologies, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Casciati
- National Italian Agency for Energy New Technologies and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Division of Health Protection Technologies, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirella Tanori
- National Italian Agency for Energy New Technologies and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Division of Health Protection Technologies, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zambotti
- National Italian Agency for Energy New Technologies and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Division of Health Protection Technologies, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Bresolin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health (SDB), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Cani
- Department of Women's and Children's Health (SDB), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pannicelli
- Technical Unit of Energetic Efficiency, National Italian Agency for Energy New Technologies and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cristopher Hancock
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
- CREO Medical Limited, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Cristiano Palego
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Department of Women's and Children's Health (SDB), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Mancuso
- Technical Unit of Energetic Efficiency, National Italian Agency for Energy New Technologies and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Merla
- Technical Unit of Energetic Efficiency, National Italian Agency for Energy New Technologies and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Rome, Italy
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Vacek J, Zatloukalová M, Dorčák V, Cifra M, Futera Z, Ostatná V. Electrochemistry in sensing of molecular interactions of proteins and their behavior in an electric field. Mikrochim Acta 2023; 190:442. [PMID: 37847341 PMCID: PMC10582152 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-05999-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical methods can be used not only for the sensitive analysis of proteins but also for deeper research into their structure, transport functions (transfer of electrons and protons), and sensing their interactions with soft and solid surfaces. Last but not least, electrochemical tools are useful for investigating the effect of an electric field on protein structure, the direct application of electrochemical methods for controlling protein function, or the micromanipulation of supramolecular protein structures. There are many experimental arrangements (modalities), from the classic configuration that works with an electrochemical cell to miniaturized electrochemical sensors and microchip platforms. The support of computational chemistry methods which appropriately complement the interpretation framework of experimental results is also important. This text describes recent directions in electrochemical methods for the determination of proteins and briefly summarizes available methodologies for the selective labeling of proteins using redox-active probes. Attention is also paid to the theoretical aspects of electron transport and the effect of an external electric field on the structure of selected proteins. Instead of providing a comprehensive overview, we aim to highlight areas of interest that have not been summarized recently, but, at the same time, represent current trends in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Vacek
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Martina Zatloukalová
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Vlastimil Dorčák
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, 77515, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Cifra
- Institute of Photonics and Electronics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Chaberska 1014/57, 18200, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Futera
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Ostatná
- Institute of Biophysics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Kralovopolska 135, 61200, Brno, Czech Republic
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Jerbic K, Svejda JT, Sievert B, Rennings A, Fröhlich J, Erni D. The Importance of Subcellular Structures to the Modeling of Biological Cells in the Context of Computational Bioelectromagnetics Simulations. Bioelectromagnetics 2023; 44:26-46. [PMID: 36794844 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22436] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Numerical investigation of the interaction of electromagnetic fields with eukaryotic cells requires specifically adapted computer models. Virtual microdosimetry, used to investigate exposure, requires volumetric cell models, which are numerically challenging. For this reason, a method is presented here to determine the current and volumetric loss densities occurring in single cells and their distinct compartments in a spatially accurate manner as a first step toward multicellular models within the microstructure of tissue layers. To achieve this, 3D models of the electromagnetic exposure of generic eukaryotic cells of different shape (i.e. spherical and ellipsoidal) and internal complexity (i.e. different organelles) are performed in a virtual, finite element method-based capacitor experiment in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 100 GHz. In this context, the spectral response of the current and loss distribution within the cell compartments is investigated and any effects that occur are attributed either to the dispersive material properties of these compartments or to the geometric characteristics of the cell model investigated in each case. In these investigations, the cell is represented as an anisotropic body with an internal distributed membrane system of low conductivity that mimics the endoplasmic reticulum in a simplified manner. This will be used to determine which details of the cell interior need to be modeled, how the electric field and the current density will be distributed in this region, and where the electromagnetic energy is absorbed in the microstructure regarding electromagnetic microdosimetry. Results show that for 5 G frequencies, membranes make a significant contribution to the absorption losses. © 2023 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jerbic
- General and Theoretical Electrical Engineering (ATE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), Duisburg, Germany
| | - Jan T Svejda
- General and Theoretical Electrical Engineering (ATE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), Duisburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Sievert
- General and Theoretical Electrical Engineering (ATE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), Duisburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Rennings
- General and Theoretical Electrical Engineering (ATE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), Duisburg, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Erni
- General and Theoretical Electrical Engineering (ATE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), Duisburg, Germany
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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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Petrov AA, Moraleva AA, Antipova NV, Amirov RK, Samoylov IS, Savinov SY. The Action of the Pulsed Electric Field of the Subnanosecond Range on Human Tumor Cells. Bioelectromagnetics 2022; 43:327-335. [PMID: 35535612 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22408] [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: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The action of the pulsed electric field of the subnanosecond range on Jurkat, HEK 293, and U-87 MG human cell lines was studied. The cells were treated in a waveguide in 0.18 ml electrodeless Teflon cuvettes. The electric field strength in the cell culture medium was ~2 kV/cm, the pulse duration was ~1 ns, the leading edge was 150 ps, the frequency was 100 Hz, and the treatment time was 5 min. According to estimates, the change of the transmembrane potential during the pulse was ~20 mV and we assume that it was insufficient for electroporation. Jurkat and HEK 293 cells appeared to be more resistant to the treatment than U-87 MG cells. We have observed that the impulses with the above-mentioned parameters can cause a noticeable change in the mitochondrial activity of U-87 MG cells. © 2022 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anastasiya A Moraleva
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of RAS, Moscow, Russia.,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadezhda V Antipova
- P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of RAS, Moscow, Russia.,Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of RAS, Moscow, Russia.,National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ravil Kh Amirov
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures of RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor S Samoylov
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures of RAS, Moscow, Russia
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Havelka D, Zhernov I, Teplan M, Lánský Z, Chafai DE, Cifra M. Lab-on-chip microscope platform for electro-manipulation of a dense microtubules network. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2462. [PMID: 35165315 PMCID: PMC8844285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06255-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is promising for the manipulation of biomolecular components and has potential applications in biomedicine and bionanotechnology. Microtubules, nanoscopic tubular structures self-assembled from protein tubulin, serve as important components in basic cellular processes as well as in engineered biomolecular nanosystems. Recent studies in cell-based models have demonstrated that PEF affects the cytoskeleton, including microtubules. However, the direct effects of PEF on microtubules are not clear. In this work, we developed a lab-on-a-chip platform integrated with a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope system to elucidate the PEF effects on a microtubules network mimicking the cell-like density of microtubules. The designed platform enables the delivery of short (microsecond-scale), high-field-strength (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\le$$\end{document}≤ 25 kV/cm) electric pulses far from the electrode/electrolyte interface. We showed that microsecond PEF is capable of overcoming the non-covalent microtubule bonding force to the substrate and translocating the microtubules. This microsecond PEF effect combined with macromolecular crowding led to aggregation of microtubules. Our results expand the toolbox of bioelectronics technologies and electromagnetic tools for the manipulation of biomolecular nanoscopic systems and contribute to the understanding of microsecond PEF effects on a microtubule cytoskeleton.
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A wideband picosecond pulsed electric fields (psPEF) exposure system for the nanoporation of biological cells. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107790. [PMID: 33744679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The effects and mechanisms of ultrashort and intense pulsed electric fields on biological cells remain some unknown. Especially for picosecond pulsed electric fields (psPEF) with a high pulse repetition rate, electroporation or nanoporation effects could be induced on cell membranes and intracellular organelle membranes. In this work, the design, implementation, and experimental validation of a wideband psPEF exposure system (WPES) is reported, comprising picosecond pulser and wideband biochip, for the in vitro exposure of suspended cells to high-intensity psPEF. Excited by repetitive picosecond pulses (the duration of 200 ps and the amplitude of a few kilovolts), the proposed biochip adopts grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) for a wide working bandwidth, which was fabricated with 160 μm thick electrodes for uniform distribution of psPEF in the cross-section. To ensure that only psPEF is generated in the biological medium containing cells except for ionic current, this work proposes to install capillary tubes in the electrode gaps for electrical insulation and cells delivery. By electrical measurements in the time domain and frequency domain, the exposure system is adapted for local generation of extremely high-intensity psPEF with the 3 dB bandwidth up to 4.2 GHz. Furthermore, biological experiments conducted on the developed exposure system verified its capability to permeabilize biological cells under the exposure of high-intensity psPEF.
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Microsecond Pulsed Electric Fields: An Effective Way to Selectively Target and Radiosensitize Medulloblastoma Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 109:1495-1507. [PMID: 33509660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer stem cells constitute an endless reserve for the maintenance and progression of tumors, and they could be the reason for conventional therapy failure. New therapeutic strategies are necessary to specifically target them. In this context, microsecond pulsed electric fields have been selected to expose D283Med cells, a human medulloblastoma cell line resulted to be rich in cancer stem cells, and normal human astrocytes. METHODS We analyzed in vitro different endpoints at different times after microsecond pulsed electric field exposure, such as permeabilization, reactive oxygen species generation, cell viability/proliferation, cell cycle, and clonogenicity, as well as the expression of different genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis, and senescence. Furthermore, the response of D283Med cells exposed to microsecond pulsed electric fields was validated in vivo in a heterotopic mouse xenograft model. RESULTS Our in vitro results showed that a specific pulse protocol (ie, 0.3 MV/m, 40 μs, 5 pulses) was able to induce irreversible membrane permeabilization and apoptosis exclusively in medulloblastoma cancer stem cells. In the surviving cells, reactive oxygen species generation was observed, together with a transitory G2/M cell-cycle arrest with a senescence-associated phenotype via the upregulation of GADD45A. In vivo results, after pulsed electric field exposure, demonstrated a significant tumor volume reduction with no eradication of tumor mass. In conjunction, we verified the efficacy of electric pulse pre-exposure followed by ionizing irradiation in vivo to enable complete inhibition of tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal novel therapeutic options for the targeting of medulloblastoma cancer stem cells, indicating nonionizing pulsed electric field pre-exposure as an effective means to overcome the radioresistance of cancer stem cells.
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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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