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Updated: Oct 2, 2026
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Automated electrorotation to reveal dielectric variations related to HER-2/neu overexpression in MCF-7 sublines
Massimo Cristofanilli1, Giovanni De Gasperis, Lisha Zhang
1Department of Breast Medical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mcrisdtof@mdanderson.org
Purpose:
Electrorotation (ROT) is a technique that allows for determination of the dielectric properties of living cells when exposed to a rotating electric field. We evaluated the ROT behavior of MCF/neo and p185(neu) transfectancts MCF/HER2-11 and MCF/HER2-18 to investigate whether differences in HER-2/neu expression were associated with differences in dielectric properties in these cells.
Experimental Design:
P185(neu) was measured by Western blotting in MCF/neo cells and HER-2/neu transfectants MCF/HER2-11 and MCF/HER2-18. ROT spectra and cell membrane-specific capacitance were obtained for each cell line.
Results:
The mean cell membrane-specific capacitance values for MCF/neo, MCF/HER2-11, and MCF/HER2-18 were 2.09, 1.70, and 2.56 microF/cm(2), respectively. The mean specific capacitance for MCF/neo was significantly different from that for MCF/HER2-11 (P = 0.006) and that for MCF/HER2-18 (P = 0.007).
Conclusions:
ROT is sufficiently sensitive to detect variations in dielectric properties in breast cancer cell lines overexpressing p185(neu). These differences may be related to the morphological alterations determined by HER-2/neu overexpression.
