Reversible Permeabilization Research Articles

Reversible permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane promotes human cardiomyocyte differentiation from embryonic stem cells.

Cell death and differentiation appear to share similar cellular features. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether differentiation and mitochondrial cell death use a common pathway. We assessed the hallmarks of apoptosis during cardiomyocyte differentiation of human embryonic stem cells and found remarkable changes in P53, reactive oxygen species, apoptotic protease-activating factor 1, poly[ADP-ribose]polymerase 1, cellular adenosine triphosphate, and mitochondrial complex I activity. Furthermore, we observed reversible mitochondrial membrane permeabilization during cardiomyocyte differentiation accompanied by reversible loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and these changes coincided with the fluctuating patterns of cytosolic cytochrome c accumulation and subsequent caspase-9 and -3/7 activation. Moreover, the use of apoptosis inhibitors (BCL2-associated X protein [BAX] inhibitor and caspase-3/7 inhibitor) during differentiation impaired cardiomyocyte development, resulting in substantial downregulation of T, MESP1, NKX2.5, and α-MHC. Additionally, although the expression of specific differentiation markers (T, MESP1, NKX2.5, MEF2C, GATA4, and SOX17) was enhanced in doxorubicin-induced human embryonic stem cells, the stemness-specific markers (OCT4 and NANOG) showed significant downregulation. With increasing doxorubicin concentration (0.03-0.6 µM; IC50 = 0.5 µM), we observed a marked increase in the expression of mesoderm and endoderm markers. In summary, we suggest that reversible mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization promotes cardiomyocyte differentiation through an attenuated mitochondria-mediated apoptosis-like pathway.

Functional molecular complexes of junctophilin‐2 and caveolin‐1 provide a structural/functional basis for Ca2+‐microdomain formation between BKCa channels and RyRs in vascular smooth muscle cells

Functional coupling between large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels in plasma membrane (PM) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is an essential mechanism for mechanical force regulation in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Spontaneous Ca2+ release through RyRs (knows as Ca2+ sparks) and subsequent BKCa channels activation detected as spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) occur within PM-SR junctional sites, often called Ca2+ microdomains. We have previously reported that Caveolae, W-shaped invaginations of PM, accumulate BKCa channels within the structure and enhance coupling efficiency between Ca2+ sparks and BKCa channels/STOC activity in mouse mesenteric artery SMCs (mMASMCs). However, the molecular basis between caveolae and RyRs in SR membrane is unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that both caveolin-1 (Cav1), a caveola forming protein, and junctophilin-2 (JP2), a bridging protein between PM and SR, reciprocally contribute to Ca2+microdomain formation. Co-immunoprecipitation using rat mesenteric arterial tissues and double-immunocytochemical staining analyses by total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy revealed the direct interaction between JP2 and Cav1. Mouse mesenteric arterial tissues were organ-cultured and concomitantly treated with siRNA using reversible permeabilization procedures. Knockdown of JP2 in mMASMCs significantly decreased the colocalization of Cav1 and RyRs and the amplitude of STOCs. The contraction induced by the inhibition of BKCa channels/STOC activity and subsequent membrane depolarization in siJP2-treated mMASMCs was significantly smaller than that in siControl. These results suggested that the novel interaction of JP2 with Cav1 seems to provide a structural/functional basis for Ca2+-mediated crosstalk between RyRs and BKCa channels, and likely positions the PM-SR junctional sites to convert Ca2+ spark signals into hyperpolarizing signals in SMCs lacking transverse tubular system. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Loss of function RGS2 mutations augment vascular contractility ex vivo

ObjectiveRegulator of G protein signaling 2 (RGS2) plays a significant role in alleviating vascular contraction and promoting vascular relaxation due to its GTPase accelerating protein activity toward Gαq. Through a cell‐based Ca2+ mobilization assay, we identified 4 loss‐of‐function (LOF) mutations (Q2L, D40Y, R44H and R188H) out of 16 rare, missense mutations in RGS2 selected from various human exome sequencing projects. This study is to investigate whether these LOF RGS2 mutations disrupt the protein function in regulating vascular contractility.Approach and resultWe confirmed that RGS2‐deficient mice expressed a hypertensive phenotype by telemetric femoral artery blood pressure measurement in conscious mice (WT SBP 120 ± 3 vs RGS2−/−SBP 128 ± 2 mmHg, p<0.01). Isolated mesenteric arteries from RGS2−/− mice showed higher contractile response to 10 nM angiotensin II (AngII) stimulation in pressure myograph while isolated aortic rings from those animals generated more tension upon phenylephrine (PE) stimulation (Emax 238 mg vs 68 mg, p = 0.01) compared to aortic rings from RGS2+/+ mice. Reintroduction of wild‐type RGS2‐GFP plasmids into RGS2−/− mesenteric arteries by reversible permeabilization suppressed the vasoconstrictor response to 50 nM AngII (RGS2 WT plasmid −4% vs pcDNA control −35% of basal diameter, p = 0.01). Transfection with RGS2 LOF mutation plasmidss did not suppress Ang II constriction compared to those expressing WT‐RGS2 (Q2L −20%, D40Y, R44H and R188H −30% of basal diameter, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study is the first to investigate the function of human mutant RGS2 in resistance arteries in a near physiological condition. It demonstrates that RGS2 attenuates vasoconstriction in the mesenteric arteries and that RGS2 mutations disrupt this effect. Although these mutations are rare, knowledge about their function may provide insights into pathophysiology and treatment.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the American Heart Association predoctoral fellowship [15PRE24680004] to H.P).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Spatial-Temporal Cellular Bioeffects from Acoustic Droplet Vaporization.

One of the major challenges in developing acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV)-associated therapy as an effective and safe strategy is the precise determination of the spatial cellular bioeffects after ADV (cell death or cell membrane permeabilization). In this study, we combined high-speed camera imaging and live-cell microscopic imaging to observe the transient dynamics of droplets during ADV and to evaluate the mechanical force on cells.Methods: C6 glioma cells were co-incubated with DiI-labeled droplets (radius: 1.5, 2.25, and 3.0 μm). We used an acousto-optical system for high-speed bright-field (500 kfps) and fluorescence (40 kfps) microscopic imaging in order to visualize the dynamics of droplets under ultrasound excitation (frequency = 5 MHz, pressure = 5-8 MPa, cycle number = 3, pulse number = 1). Live-cell microscopic imaging was used to monitor the cell morphology, cell membrane permeabilization, and cell viability by membrane-anchored Lyn-yellow fluorescence protein, propidium Iodide staining, and calcein blue AM staining, respectively.Results: We discovered that the spatial distribution of ADV-induced bioeffects could be mapped to the physical dynamics of droplet vaporization. For droplets with a 1.5 μm radius, the distance threshold for ADV-induced cell death (5.5±1.9 μm) and reversible membrane permeabilization (11.3±3.5 μm) was well correlated with the distance of ADV-bubble pressing downward to the floor (5.7±1.3 μm) and maximum distance of droplet expansion (11.5±2.6 μm), respectively. These distances were enlarged by increasing the droplet sizes and insonation acoustic pressures. The live-cell imaging results show that ADV-bubbles can directly disrupt the cell membrane layer and induce intensive intracellular substance leakage. Further, the droplets shed the payload onto nearby cells during ADV, suggesting ADV could directly induce adjacent cell death by physical force and enhancement of chemotherapy to distant cells.Conclusion: This study provide new insights into the ADV-mediated physicochemical synergic effect for medical applications.

Reversible Permeabilization of Cancer Cells by High Sub-Microsecond Magnetic Field

Exposure of cells to pulsed electric fields (PEFs) induces a phenomenon known as electroporation, which leads to increase of membrane permeability. Electroporation is applied in biotechnology, food processing, and medicine, including cancer treatment. Recently, a contactless method based on pulsed magnetic fields (PMFs) for the permeabilization of biological cells has been proposed; however, the permeabilization mechanism of the PMF method is still hypothetical. In this paper, we have shown that it is possible to reversibly permeabilize Sp2/0 myeloma cells by sub-microsecond (450 ns) PMF in the range of 0–3.3 T. The PMF methodology was also combined with PEF treatment to evaluate additive effects. The 1.35 kV/cm $1 \times 100~\mu \text{s}$ (PEF) and 3.3 T, 50 pulses, 0.25 Hz (PMF) protocols were applied. The cells were treated in the presence of fluorescence dye YO-PRO-1 and influx into the cells was evaluated by cytometry. Cell viability after the treatment was evaluated by CellEvent Caspase-3/7 assays. A significant (P < 0.05) additive effect of the two pulsed power methodologies was detected, resulting in up to 12% increase of membrane permeabilization. The PMF method is an emerging technique and the results of the study can be used for the development of new effective protocols, while the determined additive effects with PEF are promising in the field of electrochemotherapy.

BK β1 subunit-dependent facilitation of ethanol inhibition of BK current and cerebral artery constriction is mediated by the β1 transmembrane domain 2.

Ethanol at concentrations obtained in the circulation during moderate-heavy episodic drinking (30-60mM) causes cerebral artery constriction in several species, including humans. In rodents, ethanol-induced cerebral artery constriction results from ethanol inhibition of large conductance voltage/Ca2+i -gated K+ (BK) channels in cerebral artery myocytes. Moreover, the smooth muscle-abundant BK β1 accessory subunit is required for ethanol to inhibit cerebral artery myocyte BK channels under physiological Ca2+i and voltages and thus constrict cerebral arteries. The molecular bases of these ethanol actions remain unknown. Here, we set to identify the BK β1 region(s) that mediates ethanol-induced inhibition of cerebral artery myocyte BK channels and eventual arterial constriction. We used protein biochemistry, patch-clamp on engineered channel subunits, reversible cDNA permeabilization of KCNMB1 K/O mouse arteries and artery in vitro pressurization. Ethanol inhibition of BK current was facilitated by β1 but not β4 subunits. Furthermore, only BK complexes containing β chimeras with β1 transmembrane (TM) domains on a β4 background or with a β1 TM2 domain on a β4 background displayed ethanol responses identical to those of BK complexes including wild-type β1. Moreover, β1 TM2 itself but not other β regions were necessary for ethanol-induced cerebral artery constriction. BK β1 TM2 is necessary for this subunit to enable ethanol-induced inhibition of myocyte BK channels and cerebral artery constriction at physiological Ca2+ and voltages. Thus, novel agents that target β1 TM2 may be considered to counteract ethanol-induced cerebral artery constriction and associated cerebrovascular conditions.

Control by Low Levels of Calcium of Mammalian Cell Membrane Electropermeabilization.

Electric pulses, when applied to a cell suspension, induce a reversible permeabilization of the plasma membrane. This permeabilized state is a long-lived process (minutes). The biophysical molecular mechanisms supporting the membrane reorganization associated to its permeabilization remain poorly understood. Modeling the transmembrane structures as toroidal lipidic pores cannot explain why they are long-lived and why their resealing is under the control of the ATP level. Our results describe the effect of the level of free Calcium ions. Permeabilization induces a Ca2+ burst as previously shown by imaging of cells loaded with Fluo-3. But this sharp increase is reversible even when Calcium is present at a millimolar concentration. Viability is preserved to a larger extent when submillimolar concentrations are used. The effect of calcium ions is occurring during the resealing step not during the creation of permeabilization as the same effect is observed if Ca2+ is added in the few seconds following the pulses. The resealing time is faster when Ca2+ is present in a dose-dependent manner. Mg2+ is observed to play a competitive role. These observations suggest that Ca2+ is acting not on the external leaflet of the plasma membrane but due to its increased concentration in the cytoplasm. Exocytosis will be enhanced by this Ca2+ burst (but hindered by Mg2+) and occurs in the electropermeabilized part of the cell surface. This description is supported by previous theoretical and experimental results. The associated fusion of vesicles will be the support of resealing.

Membrane permeabilization of mammalian cells using bursts of high magnetic field pulses.

BackgroundCell membrane permeabilization by pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) is a novel contactless method which results in effects similar to conventional electroporation. The non-invasiveness of the methodology, independence from the biological object homogeneity and electrical conductance introduce high flexibility and potential applicability of the PEMF in biomedicine, food processing, and biotechnology. The inferior effectiveness of the PEMF permeabilization compared to standard electroporation and the lack of clear description of the induced transmembrane transport are currently of major concern.MethodsThe PEMF permeabilization experiments have been performed using a 5.5 T, 1.2 J pulse generator with a multilayer inductor as an applicator. We investigated the feasibility to increase membrane permeability of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells using short microsecond (15 µs) pulse bursts (100 or 200 pulses) at low frequency (1 Hz) and high dB/dt (>106 T/s). The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry using two different fluorescent dyes: propidium iodide (PI) and YO-PRO®-1 (YP). The results were compared to conventional electroporation (single pulse, 1.2 kV/cm, 100 µs), i.e., positive control.ResultsThe proposed PEMF protocols (both for 100 and 200 pulses) resulted in increased number of permeable cells (70 ± 11% for PI and 67 ± 9% for YP). Both cell permeabilization assays also showed a significant (8 ± 2% for PI and 35 ± 14% for YP) increase in fluorescence intensity indicating membrane permeabilization. The survival was not affected.DiscussionThe obtained results demonstrate the potential of PEMF as a contactless treatment for achieving reversible permeabilization of biological cells. Similar to electroporation, the PEMF permeabilization efficacy is influenced by pulse parameters in a dose-dependent manner.

Vector-free intracellular delivery by reversible permeabilization.

Despite advances in intracellular delivery technologies, efficient methods are still required that are vector-free, can address a wide range of cargo types and can be applied to cells that are difficult to transfect whilst maintaining cell viability. We have developed a novel vector-free method that uses reversible permeabilization to achieve rapid intracellular delivery of cargos with varying composition, properties and size. A permeabilizing delivery solution was developed that contains a low level of ethanol as the permeabilizing agent. Reversal of cell permeabilization is achieved by temporally and volumetrically controlling the contact of the target cells with this solution. Cells are seeded in conventional multi-well plates. Following removal of the supernatant, the cargo is mixed with the delivery solution and applied directly to the cells using an atomizer. After a short incubation period, permeabilization is halted by incubating the cells in a phosphate buffer saline solution that dilutes the ethanol and is non-toxic to the permeabilized cells. Normal culture medium is then added. The procedure lasts less than 5 min. With this method, proteins, mRNA, plasmid DNA and other molecules have been delivered to a variety of cell types, including primary cells, with low toxicity and cargo functionality has been confirmed in proof-of-principle studies. Co-delivery of different cargo types has also been demonstrated. Importantly, delivery occurs by diffusion directly into the cytoplasm in an endocytic-independent manner. Unlike some other vector-free methods, adherent cells are addressed in situ without the need for detachment from their substratum. The method has also been adapted to address suspension cells. This delivery method is gentle yet highly reproducible, compatible with high throughput and automated cell-based assays and has the potential to enable a broad range of research, drug discovery and clinical applications.

Reversible Permeabilization of Cell Membranes via Lysenin Channels

The selective nature of the cell-membrane hinders the permeability of drugs, fluorescent probes, and other macromolecules into living cells. To introduce foreign molecules as well as preserve cell viability, reversible permeabilization of the cell membrane is required. To achieve this aim, several techniques have been proposed including microinjection, electroporation, optoporation, and lipophilic and peptide carriers. These methods are either highly invasive, inefficient, limited to single-cell, require sophisticated instruments, or need tedious conjugation process. Therefore, we proposed a simple yet efficient method of controlled transport of exogenous molecules into viable cells using the pore-forming toxin lysenin. Lysenin inserts a large conducting pathway into the lipid bilayer membrane containing sphingomyelin, hence allowing cell-impermeable molecules to cross the membrane barrier. In addition, the lysenin pore is irreversibly blocked by biologically inert chitosan molecules. In this way, the lysenin-induced pore formation and the activity act as a nano-valve. In our work, we temporarily permeabilized mammalian cells ATDC5 with lysenin channels and loaded the membrane-impermeable fluorescent dye propidium iodide. The process was blocked by the addition of chitosan and the viability of the cells was assessed by using viable-cell indicators. Similarly, we employed lysenin channels to introduce the cell-impermeant actin marker phalloidin into the cells. These results indicate that lysenin channel can be used as a simple and efficient tool to deliver bioactive molecules into living cells.

Microbubble-Assisted Ultrasound-Induced Transient Phosphatidylserine Translocation

Microbubble-assisted ultrasound (sonopermeabilization) results in reversible permeabilization of the plasma membrane of cells. This method is increasingly used in vivo because of its potential to deliver therapeutic molecules with limited cell damage. Nevertheless, the effects of sonopermeabilization on the plasma membrane remain not fully understood. We investigated the influence of sonopermeabilization on the transverse mobility of phospholipids, especially on phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization. We performed studies using optical imaging with Annexin V and FM1-43 probes to monitor PS externalization of rat glioma C6 cells. Sonopermeabilization induced transient membrane permeabilization, which is positively correlated with reversible PS externalization. This membrane disorganization was temporary and not associated with loss of cell viability. Sonopermeabilization did not induce PS externalization via activation of the scramblase. We hypothesize that acoustically induced membrane pores may provide a new pathway for PS migration between both membrane leaflets. During the membrane-resealing phase, PS asymmetry may be re-established by amino-phospholipid flippase activity and/or endocytosis, along with exocytosis processes.

Mechanisms of inactivation of Candida humilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by pulsed electric fields

AimsThis study aimed to determine how electric field strength, pulse width and shape, and specific energy input relate to the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) on viability and membrane permeabilization in Candida humilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspended in potassium phosphate buffer. Methods and resultsCells were treated with a micro-scale system with parallel plate electrodes. Propidium iodide was added before or after treatments to differentiate between reversible and irreversible membrane permeabilization. Treatments of C. humilis with 71kV/cm and 48kJ/kg reduced cell counts by 3.9±0.6 log (cfu/mL). Pulse shape or width had only a small influence on the treatment lethality. Variation of electric field strength (17–71kV/cm), pulse width (0.086–4μs), and specific energy input (8–46kJ/kg) demonstrated that specific energy input correlated to the membrane permeabilization (r2=0.84), while other parameters were uncorrelated. A minimum energy input of 3 and 12kJ/kg was required to achieve reversible membrane permeabilization and a reduction of cell counts, respectively, of C. humilis. ConclusionsEnergy input was the parameter that best described the inactivation efficiency of PEF. Significance and impact of studyThis study is an important step to identify key process parameters and to facilitate process design for improved cost-effectiveness of commercial PEF treatment.

Impact of external medium conductivity on cell membrane electropermeabilization by microsecond and nanosecond electric pulses.

The impact of external medium conductivity on the efficiency of the reversible permeabilisation caused by pulsed electric fields was investigated. Pulses of 12 ns, 102 ns or 100 μs were investigated. Whenever permeabilisation could be detected after the delivery of one single pulse, media of lower conductivity induced more efficient reversible permeabilisation and thus independently of the medium composition. Effect of medium conductivity can however be hidden by some saturation effects, for example when pulses are cumulated (use of trains of 8 pulses) or when the detection method is not sensitive enough. This explains the contradicting results that can be found in the literature. The new data are complementary to those of one of our previous study in which an opposite effect of the conductivity was highlighted. It stresses that the conductivity of the medium influences the reversible permeabilization by several ways. Moreover, these results clearly indicate that electropermeabilisation does not linearly depend on the energy delivered to the cells.

Synthetic Peptides as cGMP-Independent Activators of cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Iα

PKG is a multifaceted signaling molecule and potential pharmaceutical target due to its role in smooth muscle function. A helix identified in the structure of the regulatory domain of PKG Iα suggests a novel architecture of the holoenzyme. In this study, a set of synthetic peptides (S-tides), derived from this helix, was found to bind to and activate PKG Iα in a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-independent manner. The most potent S-tide derivative (S1.5) increased the open probability of the potassium channel KCa1.1 to levels equivalent to saturating cGMP. Introduction of S1.5 to smooth muscle cells in isolated, endothelium-denuded cerebral arteries through a modified reversible permeabilization procedure inhibited myogenic constriction. In contrast, in endothelium-intact vessels S1.5 had no effect on myogenic tone. This suggests that PKG Iα activation by S1.5 in vascular smooth muscle would be sufficient to inhibit augmented arterial contractility that frequently occurs following endothelial damage associated with cardiovascular disease.

Intracellular Ascorbate Prevents Endothelial Barrier Permeabilization by Thrombin

Intracellular ascorbate (vitamin C) has previously been shown to tighten the endothelial barrier and maintain barrier integrity during acute inflammation in vitro. However, the downstream effectors of ascorbate in the regulation of endothelial permeability remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated ascorbate as a mediator of thrombin-induced barrier permeabilization in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and their immortalized hybridoma line, EA.hy926. We found that the vitamin fully prevented increased permeability to the polysaccharide inulin by thrombin in a dose-dependent manner, and it took effect both before and after subjection to thrombin. Thrombin exposure consumed intracellular ascorbate but not the endogenous antioxidant GSH. Likewise, the antioxidants dithiothreitol and tempol did not reverse permeabilization. We identified a novel role for ascorbate in preserving cAMP during thrombin stimulation, resulting in two downstream effects. First, ascorbate maintained the cortical actin cytoskeleton in a Rap1- and Rac1-dependent manner, thus preserving stable adherens junctions between adjacent cells. Second, ascorbate prevented actin polymerization and formation of stress fibers by reducing the activation of RhoA and phosphorylation of myosin light chain. Although ascorbate and thrombin both required calcium for their respective effects, ascorbate did not prevent thrombin permeabilization by obstructing calcium influx. However, preservation of cAMP by ascorbate was found to depend on both the production of nitric oxide by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase, which ascorbate is known to activate, and the subsequent generation cGMP by guanylate cyclase. Together, these data implicate ascorbate in the prevention of inflammatory endothelial barrier permeabilization and explain the underlying signaling mechanism.

Ultrasound-microbubble targeted delivery of ICAM-1 in mouse model of peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects 12 million people in the United States. Unfortunately, current treatments are highly invasive and have limited efficacy. Ultrasound (US) in conjunction with microbubbles (MB) has recently been explored as a non-invasive strategy for the delivery of intravascularly circulating therapeutic agents. US mediated MB oscillation can lead to non-damaging, reversible and localized vascular permeabilization resulting in substantial increases of nanoparticle (NP) concentrations in US-treated tissue. Furthermore, by coating NPs with a brush layer of polyethylene glycol (PEG), NPs have long circulating half-lives and limited toxicity. This study investigates the ability of US to deliver ICAM-1-bearing PEG/polyethylenimine (PEG/PEI) NPs to the vascular endothelium in a mouse model of PAD. ICAM-1, an adhesion molecule, expressed post-occlusion by the endothelium of collateral arteries has previously been shown to aid in blood flow restoration. Overexpression of ICAM-1 in this model aims to re-establish pre-occlusion blood flow non-invasively.

Cell membrane permeabilization by 12-ns electric pulses: Not a purely dielectric, but a charge-dependent phenomenon

Electric pulses of a few nanoseconds in duration can induce reversible permeabilization of cell membrane and cell death. Whether these effects are caused by ionic or purely dielectric phenomena is still discussed. We address this question by studying the impact of conductivity of the pulsing buffer on the effect of pulses of 12ns and 3.2MV/m on the DC-3F mammalian cell line. When pulses were applied in a high-conductivity medium (1.5S/m), cells experienced both reversible electropermeabilization and cell death. On the contrary, no effect was observed in the low-conductivity medium (0.1S/m). Possible artifacts due to differences in viscosity, temperature increase or electrochemical reactions were excluded. The influence of conductivity reported here suggests that charges still play a role, even for 12-ns pulses. All theoretical models agree with this experimental observation, since all suggest that only high-conductivity medium can induce a transmembrane voltage high enough to induce pore creation, in turn. However, most models fail to describe why pulse accumulation is experimentally required to observe biological effects. They mostly show no increase of permeabilization with accumulation of pulses. Currently, only one model properly describes pulse accumulation by modeling diffusion of the altered membrane regions.

The Perforin Pore Facilitates the Delivery of Cationic Cargos

Cytotoxic lymphocytes eliminate virally infected or neoplastic cells through the action of cytotoxic proteases (granzymes). The pore-forming protein perforin is essential for delivery of granzymes into the cytoplasm of target cells; however the mechanism of this delivery is incompletely understood. Perforin contains a membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) domain and oligomerizes to form an aqueous pore in the plasma membrane; therefore the simplest (and best supported) model suggests that granzymes passively diffuse through the perforin pore into the cytoplasm of the target cell. Here we demonstrate that perforin preferentially delivers cationic molecules while anionic and neutral cargoes are delivered inefficiently. Furthermore, another distantly related pore-forming MACPF protein, pleurotolysin (from the oyster mushroom), also favors the delivery of cationic molecules, and efficiently delivers human granzyme B. We propose that this facilitated diffusion is due to conserved features of oligomerized MACPF proteins, which may include an anionic lumen.

A new technique for reversible permeabilization of live cells for intracellular delivery of quantum dots

A major challenge with the use of quantum dots (QDs) for cellular imaging and biomolecular delivery is the attainment of QDs freely dispersed inside the cells. Conventional methods such as endocytosis, lipids based delivery and electroporation are associated with delivery of QDs in vesicles and/or as aggregates that are not monodispersed. In this study, we demonstrate a new technique for reversible permeabilization of cells to enable the introduction of freely dispersed QDs within the cytoplasm. Our approach combines osmosis driven fluid transport into cells achieved by creating a hypotonic environment and reversible permeabilization using low concentrations of cell permeabilization agents like Saponin. Our results confirm that highly efficient endocytosis-free intracellular delivery of QDs can be accomplished using this method. The best results were obtained when the cells were treated with 50 μg ml−1 Saponin in a hypotonic buffer at a 3:2 physiological buffer:DI water ratio for 5 min at 4 ° C.

Influence of Pulsed Electric Field Protocols on the Reversible Permeabilization of Rucola Leaves

Reversible electropermeabilization of plant tissues with heterogeneous structure represents a technological challenge as the response of the different structures within the same specimen to the application of electric field may differ due to different cell sizes, extracellular space configurations, and electrical properties. The influence of five different pulsed electric field protocols with different pulse polarity, number of pulses (25, 50, 75, 100, 250, and 500), and intervals between pulses (no intervals and 1- and 2-ms intervals) on the reversible permeabilization of rucola (Eruca sativa) leaves was investigated. The electric field intensity was 600 V/cm. Electrical resistance of the bulk tissue was measured before and after electroporation, and propidium iodide was used to analyze the electroporation at the surface of the leaf. Leaf viability was assessed from survival in storage, and cell viability was investigated with fluorescein diacetate. Results indicate that the viability of the leaves could not be predicted by measurements of electrical resistance or permeabilization levels of the leaf surface. Higher survival rate was demonstrated when applying bipolar pulses compared with monopolar pulses, but the latter proved to be more effective than bipolar pulses for permeabilizing the surface of the leaves. Longer intervals between bipolar pulses resulted in increased viability preservation, while the number of electroporated cells on the leaf surface was comparable for all tested protocols.