Cell Membrane Pore Formation and Change in Ion Channel Activity in High-Gradient Magnetic Fields

We examine membrane pores and the channel stability of cells exposed to high-gradient magnetic fields (HGMFs). As an HGMF generates stress and deformation in the cell membrane through magnetic gradient forces, stretch-activated and voltage-gated ion channels are gated by both the effective membrane tension (sigma) and the membrane potential (U). By calculating a (sigma, U)-phase diagram, we find an unexpected region of stability for the pores in a cell membrane subjected to an HGMF. Within this region, the cell membrane does not lose its integrity and is stable against pore creation by electric and magnetic fields. Our theoretical arguments lead to predictions for changes in membrane ion channel selectivity in cells treated with magnetic fields. Overall, the results demonstrate that HGMFs can be used as a tool to create a specific stress field in a cell to drive its machinery.