Cell Investigations Simultaneously with Exposure to 2.45 GHz Microwaves

Abstract

The paper presents two microwave (MW) exposure systems (MWESs) that permit observations and measurements on cell cultures during their exposure to MW of 2.45 GHz: MWES-1 and MWES-2. MWES-1 is designed for the measurement of the cell membrane fluorescence anisotropies (MFA) simultaneously with MW exposure. MWES-2 is designed for the cells culture exploration under an inverted microscope before, during and after MW exposure. MWES-1 consists mainly of a 2.45 GHz microwave generator (MWG-2.45GHz-SAIREM) of 0–25 W, equipped withforwardpower and reflected power displaying, and an adjustable coaxial antenna immersed directly into the cuvette with the cellssuspension of a Spex type spectrofluorometer. The MW effect on membrane fluidity of B16F10 malignant melanoma (B16F10-MM) cells in suspension were investigated with MWES-1, by MFA measurements. We observed a MW induced transition temperature (ITT) rising strongly during the MW exposure as compared with ITT obtained by classical heating (CH). The MWES-2 consists of the MWG-2.45 GHz-SAIREM generator and a rectangular waveguide applicator with traveling wave placed between the condenser and the objective of a Zeiss Axiovert 200 microscope, equipped with a fluorescence device and image acquisition. The MW effects on shape and apoptosis of the B16F10-MM cells were investigate with MWES-2. The B16F10-MM cells exhibited visible shape changes during MW exposure up to 37°C. The MW exposure induced cells apoptosis/necrosis in several seconds after that MW are applied, beginning with SAR=1.5 W/sample, compared to CH controls exposed at the same temperature dynamics.