Cell Permeabilization and Inhibition of Voltage-Gated Ca²+ and Na+ Channel Currents by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields

Authors

Vasyl Nesin, Old Dominion University
Angela M. Bowman, Old Dominion University
Shu Xiao, Old Dominion UniversityFollow
Andrei G. Pakhomov, Old Dominion UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Publication Title

Bioelectromagnetics

Volume

33

Issue

5

Pages

394-404

DOI

10.1002/bem.21696

Abstract

Previous studies have found that nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) exposure causes long-term permeabilization of the cell plasma membrane. In this study, we utilized the whole-cell patch-clamp method to study the nsPEF effect on currents of voltage-gated (VG) Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ channels (I_Ca and I_Na) in cultured GH3 and NG108 cells. We found that a single 300 or 600 ns pulse at or above 1.5-2 kV/cm caused prolonged inhibition of I_Ca and I_Na. Concurrently, nsPEF increased a non-inactivating leak current (I_leak), presumably due to the formation of nanoelectropores or larger pores in the plasma membrane. The nsPEF effects were similar in cells that were exposed intact and subsequently brought into the whole-cell recording configuration, and in cells that were first brought into the whole-cell configuration and then exposed. Although both I_leak and the inhibition of VG currents were enhanced at higher E-field levels, these two nsPEF effects showed relatively weak correlation with each other. In some cells, I_leak increased 10-fold or more while VG currents remained unchanged. At longer time intervals after exposure (5-15 min), I_Ca and I_Na could remain inhibited although I_leak had largely recovered. The causal relation of nsPEF inhibitory effects on VG currents and permeabilization of the plasma membrane is discussed.

Comments

NOTE: This is the author's post-print version of a work that was published in Bioelectromagnetics. The final version was published as:

Nesin, V., Bowman, A. M., Xiao, S., & Pakhomov, A. G. (2012). Cell permeabilization and inhibition of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ channel currents by nanosecond pulsed electric field. Bioelectromagnetics, 33(5), 394-404. doi:10.1002/bem.21696

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bem.21696

Original Publication Citation

Nesin, V., Bowman, A. M., Xiao, S., & Pakhomov, A. G. (2012). Cell permeabilization and inhibition of voltage-gated Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ channel currents by nanosecond pulsed electric field. Bioelectromagnetics, 33(5), 394-404. doi:10.1002/bem.21696

Repository Citation

Nesin, Vasyl; Bowman, Angela M.; Xiao, Shu; and Pakhomov, Andrei G., "Cell Permeabilization and Inhibition of Voltage-Gated Ca²+ and Na+ Channel Currents by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields" (2012). Bioelectrics Publications. 173.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/bioelectrics_pubs/173