Electroanalytical Method for Quantification of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells as Charge Transport Barriers in Culture Media

Abstract

Here we report a strategy in which electroanalytical method was used to quantify human hepatic carcinoma cell (HepG2) density in culture media and their interaction with biomolecules. The cyclic voltammogram response of vitamin and amino acids redox mediators containing culture media had shown distinct oxidation peak at −0.63 V along with a low intensity peak at +0.67 V. Both oxidation and reduction peak current of culture media were gradually decreased with an increase in cell number indicating their role as charge transport barrier at electrode surface. The difference between cathodic and anodic peak potential was also decreased with the addition of cells. The oxidation peak disappeared in CV response, with the addition of optimum cell number in culture media, indicating the adsorption of redox mediators at cell surface. CV response of fetal bovine serum (FBS) containing cell suspension showed presence of reduction and oxidation peaks of culture media in CV. This indicates stronger possibility of binding of serum proteins with cells and release of redox mediators in culture media. The chemical interactions of cells with FBS was further confirmed by the FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The viability, adhesion and proliferation responses of the cells were found to be normal. The reported electroanalytical method may be applied in the future for rapid quantification of cell density and confirmation of interactions among cells and biomolecules. © 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim