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Electric Field-controlled Directed Migration of Neural Progenitor Cells in 2D and 3D Environments
Published on: February 16, 2012
Chick embryonic Schwann cells migrate anodally in small electrical fields
Marilyn J McKasson1, Ling Huang, Kenneth R Robinson
1Department of Biological Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Experimental Neurology
|April 9, 2008
Summary
Schwann cells, crucial for nerve repair, migrate towards the anode in response to weak electrical fields. This finding offers new insights into neural crest cell guidance for therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neural crest derivatives guide migrating cells to targets, but cues remain largely unknown.
- Schwann cells are key for axonal myelination and are transplanted for CNS repair.
- Understanding Schwann cell migration is vital for improving therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the response of Schwann cells to electrical fields.
- To determine the directionality and sensitivity of Schwann cell migration under electrical stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Schwann cells were cultured from E7/8 chick embryos.
- Applied electrical fields with varying strengths were used to stimulate cell migration.
- Directionality and migration patterns were analyzed under microscopy.
Main Results:
- Schwann cells exhibited migration towards the anode in response to electrical fields.
- A significant anodal bias in directionality was observed at 3 mV mm(-1).
- This response occurred at the lowest effective electrical field strength reported for cellular movement.
Conclusions:
- Schwann cells are sensitive to weak electrical fields, migrating anodal.
- The anodal migration contrasts with known cathodal responses of other neural crest cells.
- Findings suggest electrical fields may play a role in guiding Schwann cells in vivo.
