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Updated: Feb 7, 2026
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A Novel In Vitro Wound Healing Assay to Evaluate Cell Migration
Published on: March 17, 2018
23.1K
Electrically stimulated cell migration and its contribution to wound healing
Guangping Tai1, Michael Tai2, Min Zhao3
11Centre of Advanced Biofabrication, Department of Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences, Hefei University, Hefei City, China.
Burns & Trauma
|July 14, 2018
Summary
Naturally occurring electric fields guide cell growth and healing. This review explores their mechanisms and therapeutic potential for wound regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Bioelectricity and Developmental Biology
- Cellular Physiology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Physiological electric fields are fundamental morphogenetic cues in diverse organisms.
- Historical discovery of animal electricity dates to the 18th century.
- Electric fields influence critical cellular processes including signaling and migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological roles of electric fields in biological systems.
- To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying electric field responses.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of electrical stimulation for wound healing and regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on bioelectricity, cell signaling, and wound healing.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular pathways activated by electric fields.
- Evaluation of studies investigating electrical stimulation in regenerative contexts.
Main Results:
- Electric fields activate key signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/PTEN) and ion channels (KCNJ15/Kir4.2).
- Cells exhibit directed migration (galvanotaxis/electrotaxis) in response to electric fields.
- Electric fields serve as dominant directional cues for cell migration.
Conclusions:
- Electric fields play a crucial role in physiological processes like growth and healing.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform therapeutic strategies.
- Electrical stimulation shows promise for treating chronic and non-healing wounds.
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