Sensitivity of Cells to Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields is Dependent on Membrane Lipid Microdomains

Abstract

Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated significant nanopore formation in cellular membranes following exposure of cells to nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF). We hypothesize that the sensitivity of cells to nsPEF is dependent on the properties of the plasma membrane, including lipid microdomains. Results show that depletion of membrane cholesterol increases the sensitivity of cells to nsPEF. Cholesterol depletion increases the permeability of cells to small molecules, including propidium iodide and calcium, at shorter nsPEF exposures. In contrast, depletion of caveolin, an important protein component of membrane lipid microdomains, renders the cells less sensitive to nsPEF. The results of the current study suggest that plasma membrane cholesterol and proteins are important determinants in the cellular response to nsPEF.