Dynamic effects and applications for nanosecond pulsed electric fields in cells and tissues

Stephen J. Beebe; Peter F. Blackmore; Emily Hall; Jody A. White; Lauren K. Willis; Laura Fauntleroy; Juergen F. Kolb; Karl H. Schoenbach

doi:10.1117/12.604449

1 April 2005 Dynamic effects and applications for nanosecond pulsed electric fields in cells and tissues

Stephen J. Beebe, Peter F. Blackmore, Emily Hall, Jody A. White, Lauren K. Willis, Laura Fauntleroy, Juergen F. Kolb, Karl H. Schoenbach

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5692, Advanced Biomedical and Clinical Diagnostic Systems III; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.604449
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2005, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Nanosecond, high intensity pulsed electric fields [nsPEFs] that are below the plasma membrane [PM] charging time constant have decreasing effects on the PM and increasing effects on intracellular structures and functions as the pulse duration decreases. When human cell suspensions were exposed to nsPEFs where the electric fields were sufficiently intense [10-300ns, ≤300 kV/cm.], apoptosis signaling pathways could be activated in several cell models. Multiple apoptosis markers were observed in Jurkat, HL-60, 3T3L1-preadipocytes, and isolated rat adipocytes including decreased cell size and number, caspase activation, DNA fragmentation, and/or cytochrome c release into the cytoplasm. Phosphatidylserine externalization was observed as a biological response to nsPEFs in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and p53-wildtype and -null human colon carcinoma cells. B10.2 mouse fibrosarcoma tumors that were exposed to nsPEFs ex vivo and in vivo exhibited DNA fragmentation, elevated caspase activity, and reduced size and weight compared to contralateral sham-treated control tumors. When nsPEF conditions were below thresholds for apoptosis and classical PM electroporation, non-apoptotic responses were observed similar to those initiated through PM purinergic receptors in HL-60 cells and thrombin in human platelets. These included Ca²⁺ mobilization from intracellular stores [endoplasmic reticulum] and subsequently through store-operated Ca²⁺ channels in the PM. In addition, platelet activation measured as aggregation responses were observed in human platelets. Finally, when nsPEF conditions followed classical electroporation-mediated transfection, the expression intensity and number of GFP-expressing cells were enhanced above cells exposed to electroporation conditions alone. These studies demonstrate that application of nsPEFs to cells or tissues can modulate cell-signaling mechanisms with possible applications as a new basic science tool, cancer treatment, wound healing, and gene therapy.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen J. Beebe, Peter F. Blackmore, Emily Hall, Jody A. White, Lauren K. Willis, Laura Fauntleroy, Juergen F. Kolb, and Karl H. Schoenbach "Dynamic effects and applications for nanosecond pulsed electric fields in cells and tissues", Proc. SPIE 5692, Advanced Biomedical and Clinical Diagnostic Systems III, (1 April 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.604449

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available