Experimental Examination on the Possible Optical Interaction between two Separate Cell Populations

Abstract

The cell to cell “communication” is commonly believed to be mediated by some special “messenger” molecules such as hormones, antibodies, growth factors and neurotransmitters[1]. However, whether some kind of physical communication exist between cells has been a question for long time. The so-called “mitogenetic radiation” reported by A.G.Gurwitsch in 1920’s was the first indication that a physical interaction between cells might exist[2]. In 1992, G. Albrecht-Buehler reported that the cells were able to detect the orientation of others by signals that penetrated glass but not thin metallic films, therefore, appeared to be carried by electromagnetic radiation[3]. In 1993, Moltchanov et.al. in St.Petersberg University reported that a mammary explant of lactating mice stimulated with some secretion-regulative hormones such as oxytocin, acetylcholine, epinephrine and norepinephrine can induce protein secretion in the other mammary explant of the mice even when separated by a quartz glass wall[4]. Shen et.al. found that the neutrophils stimulated to undergo respiratory burst can activate a second, chemically separated, but optically coupled population of neutrophil[5]. The response of the latter was visualized as a temporary rising of their low-level chemiluminescence and enhanced generation of superoxide radicals detected by both the reduction of ferricytochrome c and spin trapping. In an International conference dedicated to the 120th birthday of A.G.Gurwitsch (Moscow,1994) Kuzin reported that seeds (Raphanus sativus) acquired a new property after they were γ-irradiated at low dose[6]: some hours after irradiation the seeds exert distant influence on the native seeds used as detectors. The distant influence is to accelerate germination and development of the native seeds(160–180% of the control samples). Such a distant influence can go through a quartz layer (0.2 mm), but not a glass one. All above mentioned evidence suggest that the intercellular “communication” may to some extent be mediated by optical interaction. Using neutrophils isolated from pig blood as a model system, a further examination on the possible optical interaction between two separated cell population was conducted.

The principal investigator and correspondence author.