Monitoring proliferative activities of hormone-like odorants in human breast cancer cells by gene transcription profiling and electrical impedance spectroscopy

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) mediates the proliferative action of hormones in breast cancer cells by regulating the expression of target genes to control cellular functions. Current methodologies do not permit a real-time assessment of these processes in living cells. We overcome this limitation using electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing for measuring ERα-regulated signaling processes indicative of the onset of cell proliferation to target them for compound screenings. We report that hormone like odorants regulate, similarly as natural estrogen, ERα-mediated gene expression involved in mitogenic and developmental processes in MCF7 breast cancer cells. An odorant concentration-dependent switch in cell responses was detectable already 10-15 h post-stimulation, providing rapid quantification of hormonal activity before cell division occurred. Though ERα exhibits complex regulatory roles our noninvasive approach captures its activity for accelerated screenings of compounds promoting breast cancer cell proliferation expanding the analysis of ERα signaling networks.

Differentiation of live and heat-killed E. coli by microwave impedance spectroscopy

“…Microfluidic Coulter counters have been demonstrated by several groups, allowing cell counting and sorting in a portable device [18][19][20][21]. Miniaturized impedance sensors using coplanar electrodes have been implemented for monitoring cell proliferation [22], spreading [23,24] and membrane integrity [25], which find applications in basic cell biology research [26] and drug screening [27]. Furthermore, impedance sensing has been used for cell viability detection, including real-time and long-term monitoring of epidermal cell viability [28], cell death induced by viral infection [29,30], chemical toxicity [31] and bacterial metabolism [32,33].…”

Platelet impedance adhesiometry: A novel technique for the measurement of platelet adhesion and spreading

“…The xCELLigence system is a real‐time technique for measurement of cell adhesion using an impedimetric approach. Its reliability and high sensitivity have been demonstrated with a variety of cell types and applications . Platelets are cell fragments with considerably smaller dimensions than whole cells; therefore, a highly sensitive method is needed for detection of changes in adhesion and spreading.…”

“…Its reliability and high sensitivity have been demonstrated with a variety of cell types and applications. [9][10][11][12][13] Platelets are cell fragments with considerably smaller dimensions than whole cells; therefore, a highly sensitive method is needed for detection of changes in adhesion and spreading. The xCELLigence system met these expectations, and the impedance signal of adhering platelets, although with smaller Cell Index values than it is usual for whole cells, was easily detectable and measurable.…”

“…Another huge advantage of this technique is that impedimetry is a real‐time measurement which gives us the opportunity to characterize the dynamics of adhesion. A variety of applications using impedimetry has been developed such as measurement of cell proliferation, viability, cellular permeability, and cytotoxicity as well as a number of systems using impedance‐based approach have been also developed. While impedimetry has been used in research for decades in a number of ways, no clinical application has been developed yet.…”

A review: Application and research progress of bioimpedance in meat quality inspection

“…In conclusion, thanks to the integration of microelectronics and microfluidics, the application of impedance measurement methods has been extended to almost all aspects of biology (Xu et al, 2016) such as cell biology research (Holmes et al, 2009), cancer research (Cardoso et al, 2016;Kerner et al, 2002), drug screening (Pick et al, 2013) as well as food safety (Yang & Bashir, 2008), and environmental monitoring (Otero-González et al, 2012). The integration of other technologies and the development of certain bio-detection devices, as well as point-of-need diagnostic devices, are expected to be future trends in impedance technology.…”