Cell electroporation: Part 3. Theoretical investigation of the appearance of asymmetric distribution of pores on the cell and their further evolution

Abstract

The appearance of an asymmetric pore distribution in the spherical cell membrane and further evolution of the pores under the influence of the external electric field are investigated theoretically. It is shown that, depending on the electroporation conditions (cell size, resting potential, and intensity and duration of the pulse) and the radius of the first pores to appear, either asymmetric (anodic or cathodic) or symmetric pore distribution is possible. The behaviour of a cell possessing asymmetrically distributed hydrophilic pores is investigated for the case when the electric potential redistribution on the cell membranes takes place much faster than the change in pore size. The electric potential distribution on each of the pores is found. Analytical expressions for the forces acting on the pore walls are derived. It is shown that under influence of these forces the cell tends to a stable state in which pores are larger in the hemisphere in which there are fewer pores, while the fraction of the membrane area occupied by pores is greater in the opposite hemisphere. The total conductances of the pores on both sides of the cell are almost the same: RCE ≈ RAE. The influence of the methods used to investigate cell electroporation on the results obtained is also discussed.