Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

UC Davis

UC Davis Previously Published Works bannerUC Davis

Optimization of Electrical Stimulation for Safe and Effective Guidance of Human Cells

Abstract

Direct current (DC) electrical stimulation has been shown to have remarkable effects on regulating cell behaviors. Translation of this technology to clinical uses, however, has to overcome several obstacles, including Joule heat production, changes in pH and ion concentration, and electrode products that are detrimental to cells. Application of DC voltages in thick tissues where their thickness is >0.8 mm caused significant changes in temperature, pH, and ion concentrations. In this study, we developed a multifield and -chamber electrotaxis chip, and various stimulation schemes to determine effective and safe stimulation strategies to guide the migration of human vascular endothelial cells. The electrotaxis chip with a chamber thickness of 1 mm allows 10 voltages applied in one experiment. DC electric fields caused detrimental effects on cells in a 1 mm chamber that mimicking 3D tissue with a decrease in cell migration speed and an increase in necrosis and apoptosis. Using the chip, we were able to select optimal stimulation schemes that were effective in guiding cells with minimal detrimental effects. This experimental system can be used to determine optimal electrical stimulation schemes for cell migration, survival with minimal detrimental effects on cells, which will facilitate to bring electrical stimulation for in vivo use.

Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.

Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Current View