Transcriptional Analysis of Mice Melanoma B16-F10 Cells in Response to Directed Current Electric Fields

The endogenous electric field (EF) is widely observed among tissues. It is supposed to be an important environmental factor in tumor metastasis. To explore the role of endogenous EFs in tumor metastasis, the migration of mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells in directed current EFs (dcEFs) was investigated. The transcriptome of melanoma B16-F10 cells in response to EF stimulation was analyzed using RNA sequencing. The results demonstrated that the mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells migrated toward the cathode in applied dcEFs. Directional migration occurred in a voltage-dependent manner. Approximately 3000 upregulated and 2613 downregulated genes were identified under dcEF. Some genes correlated with cell migration, such as Serpine1, Ctgf, Fosb, and Fos, were upregulated. The signaling pathways involved in cell motility were significantly altered. Some genes, highly related to tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis, are upregulated in response to EF stimulation. Endogenous EFs may play a role in tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. © 2022 Bioelectromagnetics Society.