Dielectric behaviour of gap junction connected cells: a microscopic approach

The dielectric behaviour of interconnected cells is simulated by taking into account the 'real' shape. In previous work, we derived the polarizability of non-spherical, shelled, particles by solving the related integral equation using a spectral decomposition. The permittivity and impedance modulus spectra of gap junction connected cells are compared with those provided by a suspension of ellipsoids (prolate spheroids) having the same shape as the individual cells connected through gap junction, and the same volume fraction. This approach aims to provide a microscopic hint on the effect of the closing of gap junctions reported on the dielectric behaviour of ischaemic tissues, as well as to offer a rough approximation of a tissue by considering high concentrations of oriented gap junction connected cells.