Cell Membrane Perforation with Photosensitizer and a Brush-shaped Soft-polymer Sheet Using a Malignant Glioma Cell Line

Background: Transduction of foreign molecules into cells is an important technique to investigate the functions of corresponding molecules and/or targets. Recently, a mass-producible nanoprinting perforator was devised enabling for large-scale, high-performance drug or nucleic-acid transfer into cells without cell damage. Since little is known on the performance of the system, we investigated its effects on a malignant glioma cell line. Materials and Methods: Photosensitization was performed by the Cell Stamper CP-01. The malignant U373MG glioma cell line was used for transduction. Results: Photosensitization transduced FITC-conjugated albumin into cells. Trypan blue inclusion test demonstrated membrane disintegration by the procedure and scanning electron microscopy disclosed perforation of the cell membrane. Conclusion: Local oxidation reaction during the nanoprinting caused reversible membrane perforation. Morphological findings from the current study support the above mechanism, therefore the specific printing system might be convenient for transduction of foreign molecules into malignant glioma cells.