Electric fields influence the propagation of electrical activity in primary neurons and in neuron-like cells

POSTER

Abstract

Coupling between excitable systems is well known, and recent work has focused on excitability in neural & cardiovascular systems through recording microelectrodes. Building on this, we use noninvasive voltage indicators to probe the electrical dynamics of in vitro primary rat cortical neurons & a human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell line that has been engineered to be electrically excitable through expression of sodium (Na+) & potassium (K+) channels (NK-HEKs). To accomplish this, we 1) apply direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) stimulation to cells, 2) image changes in transmembrane potential using fast acting voltage sensitive dyes, & 3) quantify signal propagation. We observe that NK-HEKs respond to both DC & AC stimulation, though the response to DC fields is more rapid. Neurons can also be electrically activated by DC fields, but the response depends on cell (and synapse) maturity. While the NK-HEKs “action potentials” are slower than those of neurons, NK-HEKs are tightly coupled, allowing for fast spiral waves &/or propagation of waves. In future work, we hope to use what we have learned about electrical dynamics & coupling in these cell types to make inferences about other excitable systems.

*Supported by an AFOSR MURI grant Grant #FA9550-16-1-0052) to WL & QQ

Presenters

  • Sylvester J Gates

    • Institute for Physical Sciences & Technology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD

Authors

  • Sylvester J Gates

    • Institute for Physical Sciences & Technology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD

  • Kate O'Neill

    • Institute for Physical Sciences & Technology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD

  • Phillip Alvarez

    • Institute for Physical Sciences & Technology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD

  • Samira Aghayee

    • Institute for Physical Sciences & Technology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD
    • University of Maryland, College Park

  • Yuan Wang

    • Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

  • Houpu Li

    • Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

  • Quan Qing

    • Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

  • Gloria Ortiz

    • Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

  • Evan Miller

    • Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

  • Stephan Brenowitz

    • Institute for Physical Sciences & Technology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD

  • Wolfgang Losert

    • Department of Physics, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD
    • Univ of Maryland-College Park
    • IREAP, IPST, University of Maryland, College Park