Monitoring viral-induced cell death using electric cell–substrate impedance sensing

Using an electrical measurement known as electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS), we have recorded the dynamics of viral infections in cell culture. With this technique, cells are cultured on small gold electrodes where the measured impedance mirrors changes in attachment and morphology of cultured cells. As the cells attach and spread on the electrode, the measured impedance increases until the electrode is completely covered. Viral infection inducing cytopathic effect results in dramatic impedance changes, which are mainly due to cell death. In the current study, two different fish cell lines have been used: chinook salmonid embryonic (CHSE-214) cells infected with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) carp cells infected with infectious hematopoeitic necrosis virus (IHNV). The impedance changes caused by cell response to virus are easily measured and converted to resistance and capacitance. An approximate linear correlation between log of viral titer and time of cell death was determined.