Simulation of Carbon Nanotube-Based Enhancement of Cellular Electroporation under Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields.

Yan Mi,Pan Li,Quan Liu,Jin Xu

doi:10.1155/2019/9654583

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with large aspect ratios and excellent electrical properties can enhance the killing effect of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) on tumor cells, which can improve the electrical safety of nsPEF during tumor treatment. To study the mechanism of the CNT-enhanced killing effect of a nsPEF on tumor cells, a spherical, single-cell, five-layer dielectric model containing randomly distributed CNTs was established using COMSOL and MATLAB, and then, the effects of the addition of CNTs on the electric field and the electroporation effect on the inner and outer membranes were analyzed. The results showed that CNTs can enhance the local electric field strength due to a lightning rod effect, and the closer the CNT tip was to the cell, the greater the electric field strength was around the cell. This increase in the local electric field strength near the cells enhanced the electroporation effects, including pore density, pore area, and pore flux. The simulation results presented in this paper provide theoretical guidance for subsequent development of nsPEF combined with CNTs for use in both cell and tissue experiments.

Highlights

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields can induce tumor cell apoptosis and shrink or even cause tumor tissue to disappear, without the participation of toxic chemotherapy drugs, alleviating the side effects of inflammation, ulcers and drugs [1, 2], which is of special significance for tumor treatment
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one-dimensional quantum materials that have high conductivity because the structure of CNTs is the same as that of graphite [5]
E simulation model and mesh segmentation established with COMSOL finite element software without consideration of CNTs are shown in Figure 2. e entire geometric model is a square with a side length of 200 μm

Summary

Introduction

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) can induce tumor cell apoptosis and shrink or even cause tumor tissue to disappear, without the participation of toxic chemotherapy drugs, alleviating the side effects of inflammation, ulcers and drugs [1, 2], which is of special significance for tumor treatment. NsPEF treatments require the introduction of a very high-intensity electric field into tumor tissue by means of electrodes during the experiment. E excessive field strength can cause surface discharge of the tumor tissue, damaging the treatment equipment [3, 4], which can lead to electrical safety problems during nsPEF treatments. CNTs with a large aspect ratio and a high conductivity can enhance the local field strength [6]. Some scholars have applied this property of CNTs to nsPEF treatment of tumors

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion