J0220102 Effects of Pulse Parameters and Osmotic Pressure on Cell Mortality after Electroporation

Abstract

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a minimally invasive method for tumor treatment. It is based on the irreversible perforation of the plasma membrane which is induced by application of intensive electric pulses. However, effects of pulse parameters on cell mortality are not fully understood. In this study, we therefore examined the effects of the applied voltage (1-2 kV/cm) and repetition (15-150 times) on cell mortality after pulse application. Additionally, we investigated the impact of osmotic pressure on reduction of the required voltage for cell breakdown. Electroporation experiments using cuvette electrodes showed that dead cells increased as a function of voltage and repetition, which could be fitted by the Fermi distribution function. The cell mortality also increased in hypotonic medium that is probably attributed to cell swelling. These findings suggest that the higher pulse repetition and lower osmotic pressure are effective to raise cell mortality under the constant applied voltage.