Glycocalyx bending by an electric field increases cell motility

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Bioelectricity
• Biophysics

Background:

• Electric fields influence cellular behavior, but detection mechanisms remain unclear.
• Existing models propose an inner glycocalyx torque mechanism for cell directionality.
• Discrepancies exist regarding cell motility responses to electric fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the mechanisms by which cells detect and respond to physiological electric fields.
• To propose a novel electromechanical mechanism for cell adhesion and motility modulation by electric fields.
• To investigate the evolutionary conservation of electric field detection mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Electrophysiological studies on human cells and amoebae.
• Analysis of cell directionality and motility under varying electric field strengths.
• Comparison of responses to electric fields and fluid shear forces.

Main Results:

• A second electromechanical mechanism is proposed: electric fields bend the outer glycocalyx, increasing cell adhesion and motility.
• Increased motility is dependent on both field strength and initial cell adhesion.
• Identified mechanisms are conserved across human cells and amoebae, suggesting evolutionary significance.
• Electric field detection is an extension of fluid shear force detection mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Cells utilize at least two distinct electromechanical mechanisms to detect electric fields.
• These mechanisms are conserved and linked to cell adhesion and motility.
• The findings provide a unified understanding of how cells sense both electric fields and fluid shear forces.