Primary pathways of intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization by nanosecond pulsed electric field.

Permeabilization of cell membranous structures by nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) triggers transient rise of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration (Ca(2+)), which determines multifarious downstream effects. By using fast ratiometric Ca(2+) imaging with Fura-2, we quantified the external Ca(2+) uptake, compared it with Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and analyzed the interplay of these processes. We utilized CHO cells which lack voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels, so that the nsPEF-induced Ca(2+) changes could be attributed primarily to electroporation. We found that a single 60-ns pulse caused fast Ca(2+) increase by Ca(2+) influx from the outside and Ca(2+) efflux from the ER, with the E-field thresholds of about 9 and 19kV/cm, respectively. Above these thresholds, the amplitude of Ca(2+) response increased linearly by 8-10nM per 1kV/cm until a critical level between 200 and 300nM of Ca(2+) was reached. If the critical level was reached, the nsPEF-induced Ca(2+) signal was amplified up to 3000nM by engaging the physiological mechanism of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)-release (CICR). The amplification was prevented by depleting Ca(2+) from the ER store with 100nM thapsigargin, as well as by blocking the ER inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP(3)R) with 50μM of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB). Mobilization of Ca(2+) by nsPEF mimicked native Ca(2+) signaling, but without preceding activation of plasma membrane receptors or channels. NsPEF stimulation may serve as a unique method to mobilize Ca(2+) and activate downstream cascades while bypassing the plasma membrane receptors.