Modeling electroporation in a single cell. II. Effects Of ionic concentrations

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biophysics
• Electroporation Modeling
• Molecular Transport

Background:

• Previous models of single-cell electroporation assumed non-specific currents.
• These models predicted symmetric transmembrane potential and pore density.
• Experimental observations suggest asymmetry in molecule uptake during electroporation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an ion-specific model of single-cell electroporation.
• To investigate the impact of ionic composition on electroporation current.
• To explain experimentally observed asymmetric marker molecule uptake.

Main Methods:

• Expanded a pre-existing single-cell electroporation model.
• Incorporated explicit accounting for the ionic composition of the electroporation current.
• Analyzed changes in transmembrane potential and pore density profiles.
• Simulated intracellular ionic concentration variations.

Main Results:

• The ion-specific model predicts symmetric transmembrane potential, similar to non-specific models.
• A significant asymmetry in pore density (N) was observed, with twice as many pores at the hyperpolarized end.
• Modeled intracellular ionic concentrations near the membrane showed significant variations for all ion species.
• Results align with experimental findings of preferential uptake at the hyperpolarized cell pole.

Conclusions:

• Ion-specific modeling provides a more accurate representation of electroporation.
• Asymmetric pore formation is a key outcome of ion-specific electroporation.
• Predicted ionic concentration changes may explain electrical disturbances in excitable tissues post-electroporation.