Directed migration of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a physiological direct current electric field

Eur Cell Mater. 2011 Nov 29:22:344-58. doi: 10.22203/ecm.v022a26.

Abstract

At sites of bone fracture, naturally-occurring electric fields (EFs) exist during healing and may guide cell migration. In this study, we investigated whether EFs could direct the migration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), which are known to be key players in bone formation. Human BM-MSCs were cultured in direct current EFs of 10 to 600 mV/mm. Using time-lapse microscopy, we demonstrated that an EF directed migration of BM-MSCs mainly to the anode. Directional migration occurred at a low threshold and with a physiological EF of ~25 mV/mm. Increasing the EF enhanced the MSC migratory response. The migration speed peaked at 300 mV/mm, at a rate of 42 ±1 µm/h, around double the control (no EF) migration rate. MSCs showed sustained response to prolonged EF application in vitro up to at least 8 h. The electrotaxis of MSCs with either early (P3-P5) or late (P7-P10) passage was also investigated. Migration was passage-dependent with higher passage number showing reduced directed migration, within the range of passages examined. An EF of 200 mV/mm for 2 h did not affect cell senescence, phenotype, or osteogenic potential of MSCs, regardless of passage number within the range tested (P3-P10). Our findings indicate that EFs are a powerful cue in directing migration of human MSCs in vitro. An applied EF may be useful to control or enhance migration of MSCs during bone healing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow Cells / physiology*
  • Bone Regeneration
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Electric Stimulation*
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Video
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteogenesis
  • Phenotype
  • Time-Lapse Imaging
  • Young Adult