DC electric fields induce rapid directional migration in cultured human corneal epithelial cells

After an epithelium is wounded, multiple soluble and extracellular matrix-a ssociated signals induce a repair response. An often-overlooked signal is t he endogenous electrical field established in the vicinity of the wound imm ediately upon disruption of epithelial integrity. Previous studies have det ected lateral electric fields of approximately 42 mV mm(-1) near bovine cor neal wounds. In addition, electric fields on the order of 100-200 mV mm(-1) have been measured lateral to wounds in mammalian epidermis. Here we repor t the migratory response of human corneal epithelial cells to DC electric f ields of similar, physiologic magnitude. Our findings demonstrate that in a 100 mV mm(-1) DC field, corneal epithelial cells demonstrate directed migr ation towards the cathode. The migratory speed and distances traversed by c ultured human corneal epithelial cells is remarkably similar to those of cu ltured skin-derived keratinocytes under similar conditions; however, cornea l epithelial cells demonstrate a more rapid directional response to the fie ld than keratinocytes. These findings suggest that endogenous, wound-induce d electric fields present in the cornea play an important role in human cor neal wound healing, by orienting the directional response of migratory cell s so that they efficiently re-epithelialize the wounded area. (C) 2000 Acad emic Press.