Electric fields regulate cellular elasticity through intracellular Ca2+ concentrations

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 236; no. 11; pp. 7450 - 7463
• Main Authors: Han, Se Jik, Noh, Minjoo, Jang, Jihui, Lee, Jun Bae, Kim, Kyung Sook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-11-2021
• Subjects: Actin; Biomarkers; Calcium (intracellular); Calcium ions; Cell activation; cellular elasticity; Elasticity; Electric fields; electrical stimulation; Electrical stimuli; External stimuli; Fibroblasts; F‐actin; Gelsolin; Intracellular; intracellular Ca2; Physiological effects; Stimulation
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30417

Cellular elasticity is a key factor related to a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. The elasticity of a single cell has thus emerged as a potential biomarker to characterize the cellular state. Both internal and external stimuli affect cellular elasticity, and changes in elasticity can cause alterations in cellular characteristics or function. The application of electric fields (EFs) is a promising method that can be used to change cellular elasticity; however, the mechanisms underlying its effect remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate EFs‐induced elasticity changes in human dermal fibroblasts and discuss the underlying mechanism related to actin polymerization. Cellular elasticity increases after EF (50 mV/mm) stimulation, reaching a maximum at 30 min before decreasing between 30 and 120 min. The cellular elasticity under EF stimulation, regardless of stimulation time, is higher than that of the control. F‐actin regulates the elasticity of cells through gelsolin activation. We show changes in intracellular Ca2+ caused by EFs, which induced gelsolin activation and F‐actin content changes. This result demonstrates a series of processes in which external electrical stimulation conditions regulate cellular elasticity.
We show changes in intracellular Ca2+ caused by electric fields (EFs), which induced gelsolin activation and F‐actin content changes. This result demonstrates a series of processes in which external electrical stimulation conditions regulate cellular elasticity