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Cell Volume Changes and Membrane Ruptures Induced by Hypotonic Electrolyte and Sugar Solutions
Bojan Božič1, Špela Zemljič Jokhadar1,2, Luka Kristanc1
1Institute of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Frontiers in Physiology
|December 28, 2020
Summary
Chinese hamster ovary cells responded differently to hypotonic electrolyte and sucrose solutions. Electrolyte solutions caused more significant long-term cell volume changes and membrane ruptures compared to sucrose solutions.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Biophysics
- Membrane transport
Background:
- Cell volume regulation is crucial for cellular homeostasis.
- Hypotonic stress can induce significant cellular responses, including volume changes and membrane alterations.
- Understanding differential cell responses to various solutes is key in cell physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the effects of hypotonic electrolyte and sucrose solutions on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) epithelial cell volume.
- To analyze the morphological changes and temporal responses of cells under different osmotic conditions.
- To develop and validate a theoretical model explaining observed cellular behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of CHO cells to hypotonic solutions (32-315 mosM/L and distilled water).
- Analysis of cell volume changes and morphological alterations using bright-field and fluorescence confocal microscopy.
- Application of a theoretical model incorporating ion/sucrose permeability and Na+/K+-ATPase activity.
Main Results:
- Significant differences observed in long-term cell volume responses between electrolyte and sucrose solutions.
- Electrolyte solutions induced more pronounced cell detachment, blebbing, and formation of "cell-vesicles".
- The theoretical model accurately predicted temporal cell volume behavior and membrane rupture occurrences.
Conclusions:
- Cellular responses to hypotonic stress are solute-dependent, with electrolytes eliciting more dynamic changes than sucrose.
- The Na+/K+-ATPase pump and differential solute permeability play critical roles in cell volume regulation under osmotic stress.
- The study provides insights into membrane tension and rupture mechanisms during osmotic challenges.
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