The force of mutual cell attraction induced by radio frequency electric fields

• Published in: Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 193 - 203
• Main Authors: Zhelev, D.V., Kuzmin, P.I., Dimitrov, D.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier S.A 01.10.1991; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell metabolism, cell oxidation; Cell physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Molecular and cellular biology; Aggregation; Cell cell interaction; Electric field; Radiofrequency; Induction; Protoplast
• ISSN: 0302-4598
• DOI: 10.1016/0302-4598(91)80023-V

The mutual approach of pea protoplasts induced by high frequency electric fields (1 to 11.5 MHz) was measured as a function of time. The force of attraction was calculated from the rates of cell approach. It varied from about 10 −14 N for separation of 3 cell diameters to about 10 −12 N for separation of 1 μm at field strength 36 V/cm and solution conductivity 0.24 mS/cm. The force decreased with increasing conductivity but was not sensitive to frequency variations in the 1 to 11.5 MHz range. The numerical calculation based on the exact solution of the Laplace equation for two conducting spheres in dielectric medium gave a functional dependence similar to the experimental observation, but yielded higher values for the force. These first quantitative measurements of intercellular force induced by radio-frequency electric fields indicate that attraction depends strongly on separation and medium conductivity, but not significantly on frequency. These findings may help in understanding mechanims of interactions of cells with electric fields, cell electrofusion and electrocoagulation.