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Nanosecond pulsed electric field induced changes in cell surface charge density.
Diganta Dutta1, Xavier-Lewis Palmer2, Anthony Asmar3
1Physics and Astronomy, University of Nebraska at Kearney, NE, USA.
Micron (Oxford, England : 1993)
|May 12, 2017
Summary
Pulsed electric fields alter Jurkat cell surface charge density. High field strength pulsed electric fields significantly reduce charge density and cause morphological changes, offering new insights into cellular responses.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Cellular surface properties significantly influence electrostatic forces.
- Understanding these forces is crucial for various biological and medical applications.
- Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) are increasingly used in biological research and therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (NsPEFs) on the surface charge density of Jurkat cells.
- To explore the relationship between NsPEF parameters and changes in cellular electrostatic properties.
- To establish a novel method for examining cellular responses to PEFs using atomic force microscopy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) to measure interfacial forces between an AFM tip and Jurkat cells.
- Conducted experiments on Jurkat cells cultured on silica substrates in a 0.01M KCl ionic concentration.
- Applied single nanosecond pulsed electric fields (NsPEFs) at varying field strengths (15 kV/cm and 60 kV/cm).
- Predicted surface charge densities of both Jurkat cell and silica surfaces based on measured forces.
Main Results:
- Single NsPEF applications significantly reduced the surface charge density of Jurkat cells.
- Higher field strength NsPEFs (60 kV/cm) induced a more pronounced reduction in charge density compared to lower field strengths (15 kV/cm).
- High field strength NsPEFs also resulted in significant morphological changes in the Jurkat cells.
- AFM measurements revealed alterations in electrostatic forces due to NsPEF treatment.
Conclusions:
- NsPEFs can effectively modulate the surface charge density and electrostatic properties of Jurkat cells.
- The extent of charge density reduction and morphological changes is dependent on NsPEF field strength.
- This study presents a novel AFM-based approach for characterizing cellular responses to PEFs, potentially identifying unique mechanical responses.
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