Dynamics of Cell Death Due to Electroporation Using Different Pulse Parameters as Revealed by Different Viability Assays

The mechanisms of cell death due to electroporation are still not well understood. Recent studies suggest that cell death due to electroporation is not an immediate all-or-nothing response but rather a dynamic process that occurs over a prolonged period of time. To investigate whether the dynamics of cell death depends on the pulse parameters or cell lines, we exposed different cell lines to different pulses [monopolar millisecond, microsecond, nanosecond, and high-frequency bipolar (HFIRE)] and then assessed viability at different times using different viability assays. The dynamics of cell death was observed by changes in metabolic activity and membrane integrity. In addition, regardless of pulse or cell line, the dynamics of cell death was observed only at high electroporation intensities, i.e., high pulse amplitudes and/or pulse number. Considering the dynamics of cell death, the clonogenic assay should remain the preferred viability assay for assessing viability after electroporation.