Modulation of cell function by electric field: a high-resolution analysis

Abstract

Regulation of cell function by a non-thermal, physiological-level electromagnetic field has potential for vascular tissue healing therapies and advancing hybrid bioelectronic technology. We have recently demonstrated that a physiological electric field (EF) applied wirelessly can regulate intracellular signalling and cell function in a frequency-dependent manner. However, the mechanism for such regulation is not well understood. Here, we present a systematic numerical study of a cell-field interaction following cell exposure to the external EF. We use a realistic experimental environment that also recapitulates the absence of a direct electric contact between the field-sourcing electrodes and the cells or the culture medium. We identify characteristic regimes and present their classification with respect to frequency, location, and the electrical properties of the model components. The results show a striking difference in the frequency dependence of EF penetration and cell response between cells suspended in an electrolyte and cells attached to a substrate. The EF structure in the cell is strongly inhomogeneous and is sensitive to the physical properties of the cell and its environment. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms for frequency-dependent cell responses to EF that regulate cell function, which may have important implications for EF-based therapies and biotechnology development.

Effect of magnetic and electric fields on plasma membrane of single cells: A computational approach

“…The results derived from this study agree with those obtained by Taghian et al, since it was possible to evidence that frequency has an effect on the cell membranes when they are stimulated with EFs. 22 However, there are notable variations compared with our results, as the EF in round cells stimulated with 10 MHz was 12 × 10 5 V/m for the above-mentioned study, while we obtained an EF of 72 × 10 3 V/m. This discrepancy in magnitude could be caused by the mesh refinement to the cellular domain and the dielectric properties used in the model.…”

“…The EFs between the electrodes were generated using a differential potential of 100 Vp-p at frequencies of 60 kHz, 10 MHz, and 1 GHz. 4,22 Additionally, a frequency window from 1 kHz to 1 GHz was applied in order to measure the EFs in five different parts of the cell plasma membrane. On the other hand, the current and number of turns of the coil to obtain MFs of 2 mT were 0.024 A and 15, respectively.…”

“…Moreover, in these works the frequency was not considered as an important factor to stimulate the cell membrane in different zones. For this reason, Taghian et al, assessed the effect of external EFs on a single cell cultured in monolayer using different frequencies . Results evidenced that EFs penetration in the cell membrane depend on the frequency applied; nevertheless, in this study only one‐dimensional round cell morphology was used to simulate the effect of EF over the cell membrane.…”

“…For this reason, Taghian et al, assessed the effect of external EFs on a single cell cultured in monolayer using different frequencies. 22 Results evidenced that EFs penetration in the cell membrane depend on the frequency applied; nevertheless, in this study only one-dimensional round cell morphology was used to simulate the effect of EF over the cell membrane. Regarding the computational models to assess how MFs affect cells, Zablotskii et al, implemented a theoretical model to evaluate the effect of MFs on intercellular processes.…”

Using Artificial Skin Devices as Skin Replacements: Insights into Superficial Treatment

“…Electrical and electromagnetic stimuli can also be used to improve the efficacy of implants. Cells respond to electrical and electromagnetic fields and the presence of these stimuli can influence cell movement, proliferation, and stem cell differentiation . The benefits of applying such concepts into artificial skin devices are twofold as they not only improve device‐tissue integration, but also allow specialized treatment of the wound sites where these devices are implanted on …”