title: The biological response of cells to nanosecond pulsed electric fields is dependent on plasma membrane cholesterol.
abstract: Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated nanopore formation in cell membranes following exposure to nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF). We observed differences in sensitivity to nsPEF in both acute membrane injury and 24h lethality across multiple cells lines. Based on these data, we hypothesize that the biological response of cells to nsPEF is dependent on the physical properties of the plasma membrane (PM), including regional cholesterol content. Results presented in this paper show that depletion of membrane cholesterol disrupts the PM and increases the permeability of cells to small molecules, including propidium iodide and calcium occurring after fewer nsPEF. Additionally, cholesterol depletion concurrently decreases the "dose" of nsPEF required to induce lethality. In summary, the results of the current study suggest that the PM cholesterol composition is an important determinant in the cellular response to nsPEF.
authors.affiliation: General Dynamics Information Technology, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. Electronic address: jody.cantu.ctr@us.af.mil.
authors.forename: Jody C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cantu
authors.affiliation: General Dynamics Information Technology, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarango
authors.affiliation: Air Force Research Laboratory, 711th Human Performance Wing, Optical Radiation Branch, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Hope T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Beier
authors.affiliation: Air Force Research Laboratory, 711th Human Performance Wing, Radio Frequency Radiation Branch, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Bennett L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Ibey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003412:Cricetulus; D004560:Electricity; D018274:Electroporation; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D011419:Propidium / Q000378:metabolism; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; C108732:methyl-beta-cyclodextrin; D011419:Propidium; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Cholesterol; Lipid rafts; Nanoporation; Nanosecond pulsed electric fields; Plasma membrane