Abstract
Electroporation is defined as cell membrane permeabilization under the application of electric fields. The mechanism of hydrophilic pore formation is not yet well understood. When cells are exposed to electric fields, electrical stresses act on their surfaces. These electrical stresses play a crucial role in cell membrane structural changes, which lead to cell permeabilization. These electrical stresses depend on the dielectric properties of the cell, buffer solution, and the applied electric field characteristics. In the current study, the effect of electric field frequency on the electrical stresses distribution on the cell surface and cell deformation is numerically and experimentally investigated. As previous studies were mostly focused on the effect of electric fields on a group of cells, the present study focused on the behavior of a single cell exposed to an electric field. To accomplish this, the effect of cells on electrostatic potential distribution and electric field must be considered. To do this, Fast immersed interface method (IIM) was used to discretize the governing quasi-electrostatic equations. Numerical results confirmed the accuracy of fast IIM in satisfying the internal electrical boundary conditions on the cell surface. Finally, experimental results showed the effect of applied electric field on cell deformation at different frequencies.
Highlights
Electroporation is defined as cell membrane permeabilization under the application of electric fields
The maximum cell deformation occurred at the frequency of 1 MHz, which corresponds to the peak of Clausius-Mossotti coefficient versus frequency plot (Fig. 15), while cell deformation was reduced at the frequencies of 15 MHz and 20 MHz
Looking at the tensile and compressive electrical stresses (Figs. 11 and 14), this result was expected. Based on these experimental results, no comprehensive discussion can be provided about the distinctive effects of tensile and compressive electrical distributions on the cell surface
Summary
Electroporation is defined as cell membrane permeabilization under the application of electric fields. The effect of electric field frequency on the electrical stresses distribution on the cell surface and cell deformation is numerically and experimentally investigated. Electrical stress distribution over the cell surface and its effect on membrane permeabilization in the presence of an electric field is an imperative process that requires fundamental investigations and should not be overlooked. The exact mechanism of pore formation across the plasma membrane in the presence of an electric field is not yet well understood Pipet aspiration is another method used for cell membrane permeabilization. Electric stresses induced by an electric field acts on the cell surface and cause cell deformation, which may play a role in cell membrane structural changes and its permeability
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