The effect of pulsed electromagnetic field energy on cancer cell membrane integrity via disturbance of cell-cell adhesion by tight junctions

Lou, Yufei 2026. The effect of pulsed electromagnetic field energy on cancer cell membrane integrity via disturbance of cell-cell adhesion by tight junctions. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

	PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 14 September 2027 due to copyright restrictions. Download (12MB)
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (592kB)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Energy (PEFE) on the integrity of breast cancer cell membranes, specifically examining the induction of apoptosis through the disturbance of tight junction-mediated cell-cell adhesion. A minimally invasive PEFE treatment platform based on PXI architecture was developed and validated, capable of inducing rapid tumour cell death under non-thermal conditions (maintaining tissue temperature below 40°C) using a 2.2 GHz frequency and 50 W power. Experimental results across multiple breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-361, MDA-MB-231, and BT-549) demonstrated significant morphological collapse, characterized by cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, and loss of intercellular connectivity. Trypan Blue exclusion and Caspase-3/7 activation assays confirmed that the primary mode of cell death is apoptosis rather than thermal necrosis. At the molecular level, PEFE was found to trigger intense intracellular calcium (Ca2+) surges, activating the PLC-IP3 signalling pathway and subsequently stimulating ROCK1 kinase. Activated p-ROCK1 translocate to the perinuclear region, exerting centripetal contractile forces via the actomyosin system that leads to nuclear deformation and pyknosis. Furthermore, the study elucidates the destructive effect of PEFE on the tight junction protein family (including Claudins, JAMs, and the ZO family). This research provides evidence supporting the potential of PEFE as a highly efficient and non thermal physical ablation strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	15 September 2026
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2026 14:57
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189564

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item