The electropermeome: cellular response to electroporation

Abstract

The increased permeability of a cell membrane due to exposure of cells/tissues to an electric field is called electroporation. Electroporation induces a range of changes in the cell-from structural and chemical changes in the cell membrane, structural changes in proteins or protein complexes, transport of substances in and out of the cell, activation of signalling pathways, and repair mechanisms; it also triggers cell death under certain conditions. The term electropermeome is used to describe both the permeabilised cell during or immediately after the delivery of electrical pulses and all subsequent processes that remain active for some time after the increased transmembrane transport of substances for which the cell membrane is normally impermeable has ceased, i.e. even after the membrane has resealed. Electroporation is used in many areas, including tissue ablation, gene electrotransfer for plasmid delivery into cells and electrochemotherapy. Medical applications of electroporation are effective and safe, but the action of the electrical pulses can cause certain adverse side effects, notably muscle contractions and acute pain. Further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of electroporation and the effects of individual electric field parameters on the electropermeome is crucial to optimise the parameters of electroporation and consequently the results of electroporation-based therapies. The aim of the present paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of electroporation and the electropermeome, i.e. the cellular response to electroporation.