Ionomycin-Induced Changes in Membrane Potential Alter Electroporation Outcomes in HL-60 Cells

Area of Science:

• Cellular electrophysiology
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Electroporation facilitates molecule delivery into cells via transient membrane permeabilization.
• Previous research indicates asymmetric fluorophore uptake during electroporation, favoring the anode side.
• Cellular hyperpolarization, a change in membrane potential, is explored as a modulator of electroporation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that pre-electroporation cell hyperpolarization modifies electric field intensity thresholds for electroporation outcomes.
• To investigate if hyperpolarization enhances the probability of reversible electroporation at lower fields and irreversible electroporation (IRE) at higher fields.

Main Methods:

• HL-60 cells were hyperpolarized using ionomycin prior to electroporation.
• Cells were electroporated in a propidium iodide solution to assess membrane integrity.
• Trypan blue was used to identify cells that underwent irreversible electroporation (IRE).

Main Results:

• Cell hyperpolarization significantly altered the pulsed electric field intensity thresholds for both reversible electroporation and IRE.
• The study demonstrated a shift in the electric field requirements for specific electroporation outcomes post-hyperpolarization.

Conclusions:

• Pre-electroporation hyperpolarization offers a method to modulate cell membrane responses to electric fields.
• This approach allows for greater control and selectivity over electroporation outcomes, distinguishing between reversible and irreversible states.