Excitable HEK cells and their response to electric pulses of different durations

Electroporation is a phenomenon associated with an increased permeability of biological cell membranes following exposure of cells to high -voltage electric pulses. An increased membrane permeability allows an increased transport of ions and molecules into and out of the cell. In medicine, the target tissue of electroporation often consists of excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. Unlike non -excitable cells, excitable cells can trigger electric signals (action potentials, AP). The mechanisms by which electroporation influences AP generation are not yet well understood. To gain a better understanding, a suitable experimental model is needed. The paper presents a cell line of genetically modified HEK cells stably expressing voltage -gated sodium ion channels and conditionally expressing potassium ion channels, that together enable the cells to trigger AP. The cells can be easily grown in a cell culture and thus represent an interesting experimental model for investigating the effect of electroporation on cellular excitability. Monitoring AP with fluorescence microscopy in these cells shows that the duration of the applied electric pulse affects the threshold for triggering AP and the AP characteristics. Moreover, the cell confluency affects the ability of the cells to trigger AP. The presented results open new questions that are important for further research on electroporation of excitable tissues and the development of associated treatments.