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Human Breast Cancer Cells Demonstrate Electrical Excitability
Mafalda Ribeiro1, Aya Elghajiji1,2, Scott P Fraser3
1Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Centre for Biosensors, Bioelectronics and Biodevices (C3Bio), University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 20, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a novel sensor for non-invasive electrical recordings of breast cancer cells. It reveals higher electrical activity in metastatic cells, suggesting a link between bioelectricity and invasiveness.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cancer Biology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Breast cancer pathophysiology remains poorly understood, with limited insight into intercellular signaling.
- Single-cell studies suggest membrane depolarization influences cancer proliferation and metastasis.
- A need exists for population-level electrophysiological studies of metastatic breast cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the first non-invasive in vitro electrical recordings of strongly metastatic (MDA-MB-231) and weakly/non-metastatic (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines.
- To investigate the role of bioelectricity in breast cancer cell invasiveness and metastasis.
- To develop and validate a novel ultra-low noise sensor for cellular electrophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an ultra-low noise sensor with large-area electrodes (2 mm²) for enhanced detection sensitivity.
- Non-invasive in vitro electrical recordings of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines.
- Application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) to confirm the role of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs).
Main Results:
- Electrical activity in breast cancer cells is dominated by voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), inhibited by TTX.
- Strongly metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells exhibit significantly higher electrical activity than MCF-7 cells.
- Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) noise patterns were observed, with low-frequency signals propagating similarly to intercellular calcium waves.
Conclusions:
- Cellular bioelectricity, particularly VGSC activity, correlates with the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells.
- The developed recording platform enables real-time investigation of cancer cell bioelectricity and its link to invasiveness.
- This technology offers new avenues for understanding cancer cell communication and developing targeted therapies.
