Microfluidic Electroporation Arrays for Investigating Electroporation-Induced Cellular Rupture Dynamics

TL;DR

This study uses a microfluidic chip to investigate how electric fields cause cell rupture in live breast cancer cells, revealing key details about pore formation and energy barriers.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel microfluidic electroporation chip array for analyzing live cell rupture dynamics under varying electric field conditions.

Findings

Rupture voltages were determined across different voltage loading rates, characterizing critical pore radius and energy barrier.

Cholesterol depletion via methyl-β-cyclodextrin showed a strong correlation with electroporation effects in live cells.

The method enables unprecedented insights into the dynamics and energetics of electroporation-induced cell rupture.

Abstract

Electroporation is pivotal in bioelectrochemistry for cellular manipulation, with prominent applications in drug delivery and cell membrane studies. A comprehensive understanding of pore generation requires an in-depth analysis of the critical pore size and the corresponding energy barrier at the onset of cell rupture. However, many studies have been limited to basic models such as artificial membranes or theoretical simulations. Challenging this paradigm, our study pioneers using a microfluidic electroporation chip array. This tool subjects live breast cancer cell species to a diverse spectrum of alternating current electric field conditions, driving electroporation-induced cell rupture. We conclusively determined the rupture voltages across varying applied voltage loading rates, enabling an unprecedented characterization of electric cell rupture dynamics encompassing critical pore radius and energy barrier. Further bolstering our investigation, we probed cells subjected to cholesterol depletion via methyl-β-cyclodextrin and revealed a strong correlation with electroporation. This work not only elucidates the dynamics of electric rupture in live cell membranes but also sets a robust foundation for future explorations into the mechanisms and energetics of live cell electroporation.

Figures