GALVANOTROPIC AND GALVANOTAXIC RESPONSES OF CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

The effects of weak electric fields (E-fields) on cultured rabbit corn eal endothelial cells were studied. The cells responded to steady E-fi elds (2-6 V/cm) by elongating their somata 90 degrees to the field (ga lvanotropism) and by migrating (galvanotaxis) towards the anode. Durin g these directional movements, pseudopodia and ruffled membranes forme d preferentially on the anodal side of the cells, while they retracted on the cathodal side. Fluorescent labelling for actin showed many str ess fibers aligned parallel to the long axes of the elongated cells an d few aligned toward the anodal direction. Fluorescent labelling for v inculin showed the abundance of cell-to-substratum adhesion foci at th e termini of the stress fibers. Galvanotropic and galvanotaxic cellula r movements were inhibited by cytochalasin D (0.1-0.5 mu g/mL) and the calmodulin antagonist, W-7 (80 mu mol/L). These results suggest that E-field induced directional movements of corneal endothelial cells con stitute a calmodulin-dependent, active (not passive) process.