title: Nanosecond electric pulses: a mini-review of the present state of the art.
abstract: Nanosecond electric pulses (nsEPs) are defined as very short high intensity electric pulses which present great potential for the destabilization of intracellular structures. Their theoretical descriptions first suggested specific effects on organelles that have been confirmed by various observations both in vitro and in vivo. However, due to their concomitant effects on the plasma membrane, nsEPs can also affect cell functions. In this mini-review, nsEP effects on cells are described following three topics: effects at the plasma membrane level, intracellular effects, and the impact on cell survival. Eventually, a short description of the major results obtained in vivo will be presented. This study shows that the use of nsEPs has evolved during the last decade to focus on low voltage for practical applications.
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), UMR 5089, BP64182, 205 route de Narbonne, F-31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, INSA, INP, ISAE, UT1, UTM, LAAS, ITAV, F-31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chopinet
authors.affiliation: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale (IPBS), UMR 5089, BP64182, 205 route de Narbonne, F-31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France; Université de Toulouse, UPS, INSA, INP, ISAE, UT1, UTM, LAAS, ITAV, F-31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France. Electronic address: rols@ipbs.fr.
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rols
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004560:Electricity; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods; D004926:Escherichia coli; D006801:Humans
keywords: Cell; Electropermeabilization; Electroporation; Gene therapy; NsEP