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Distinguishing between apoptosis and necrosis using a capacitance sensor
Ri Mi Lee1, Hyangtae Choi, Jeon-Soo Shin
1Nanomedical Graduate Program and Department of Physics, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|February 24, 2009
Summary
This study introduces a capacitance sensor to differentiate cell death pathways. Apoptosis shows a steady capacitance decrease, while necrosis exhibits distinct dips, indicating membrane rupture.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Apoptosis and necrosis are distinct programmed and unprogrammed cell death pathways.
- Morphological differences, particularly plasma membrane integrity, distinguish these processes.
- Cell membrane capacitance is linked to its dielectric properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time-dependent capacitance changes during apoptosis and necrosis.
- To develop a capacitance sensor for distinguishing between these cell death modes.
- To correlate capacitance measurements with cellular morphological events.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a capacitance sensor for cell measurements.
- Induction of apoptosis using TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in TE2 cells.
- Induction of necrosis using ethanol in TE2 cells.
- Simultaneous capacitance measurement and time-lapse imaging of TE2 cells.
Main Results:
- Apoptosis exhibited a monotonic decrease in cell capacitance.
- Necrosis showed step-like capacitance changes with observable dips in dC/dt-t curves.
- Time-lapse imaging confirmed cell membrane rupture during necrotic events, correlating with capacitance dips.
Conclusions:
- Capacitance measurements can effectively differentiate between apoptosis and necrosis.
- The developed capacitance sensor provides a novel method for studying cell death.
- Observed capacitance changes reflect critical morphological alterations during cell death.
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01:16Necrosis
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01:30Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
01:30Overview of Cell Death
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the 20th century...
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01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
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