Electrically stimulated modulation of cellular function in proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression

The electric modulation of proliferation and differentiation has been perfo rmed by electrically stimulating cells that are cultured on the electrode s urface in a controlled culture system. Mammalian cells such as HeLa cells h alt proliferation at about +0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl without any fatal effects, an d proliferate at a potential-dependent rate in the range from 0 to +0.4 V v s. Ag/AgCl. Cells are cultured under a controlled rate of proliferation by setting the electrode potential at constant. When the electrode potential i s modulated by low frequency of sine wave, the intracellular gene expressio n is activated. A resting stage of astroglial cells, halting excretion of n erve growth factor (NGF), start generating and excreting NGF by l-hr electr ic stimulation at 10 Hz with an amplitude of 0.3 V, which results from enha ncement of NGF mRNA. Differentiation of PC12 cells is also electrically ind uced to grow neurites in the absencence of NGF. The mechanisms of these ele ctric effects are discussed.