title: Dielectric behaviour of gap junction connected cells: a microscopic approach.
abstract: The dielectric behaviour of interconnected cells is simulated by taking into account the 'real' shape. In previous work, we derived the polarizability of non-spherical, shelled, particles by solving the related integral equation using a spectral decomposition. The permittivity and impedance modulus spectra of gap junction connected cells are compared with those provided by a suspension of ellipsoids (prolate spheroids) having the same shape as the individual cells connected through gap junction, and the same volume fraction. This approach aims to provide a microscopic hint on the effect of the closing of gap junctions reported on the dielectric behaviour of ischaemic tissues, as well as to offer a rough approximation of a tissue by considering high concentrations of oriented gap junction connected cells.
authors.affiliation: International Centre of Biodynamics 46-48, Calea Plevnei, Bucharest, Romania. egheorghiu@biodyn.ro
authors.forename: Eugen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gheorghiu
authors.forename: Corina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balut
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gheorghiu
mesh_terms: D004583:Electrons; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000378:metabolism