Electrically Stimulated Modulation of Cellular Function in Proliferation, Differentiation, and Gene Expression

Abstract

The electric modulation of proliferation and differentiation has been performed by electrically stimulating cells that are cultured on the electrode surface in a controlled culture system. Mammalian cells such as HeLa cells halt proliferation at about +0.4 V vs. Ag / AgCl without any fatal effects, and proliferate at a potential-dependent rate in the range from 0 to +0.4 V vs. Ag / AgCl. Cells are cultured under a controlled rate of proliferation by setting the electrode potential at constant. When the electrode potential is modulated by low frequency of sine wave, the intracellular gene expression is activated. A resting stage of astroglial cells, halting excretion of nerve growth factor (NGF), start generating and excreting NGF by 1-hr electric stimulation at 10 Hz with an amplitude of 0.3 V, which results from enhancement of NGF mRNA. Differentiation of PC12 cells is also electrically induced to grow neurites in the absencence of NGF. The mechanisms of these electric effects are discussed.