Flow-Driven Cell Migration under External Electric Fields

Yizeng Li, Yoichiro Mori, and Sean X. Sun

Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 268101 – Published 23 December 2015

Abstract

Electric fields influence many aspects of cell physiology, including various forms of cell migration. Many cells are sensitive to electric fields, and they can migrate toward a cathode or an anode, depending on the cell type. In this Letter, we examine an actomyosin-independent mode of cell migration under electrical fields. Our theory considers a one-dimensional cell with water and ionic fluxes at the cell boundary. Water fluxes through the membrane are governed by the osmotic pressure difference across the cell membrane. Fluxes of cations and anions across the cell membrane are determined by the properties of the ion channels as well as the external electric field. Results show that without actin polymerization and myosin contraction, electric fields can also drive cell migration, even when the cell is not polarized. The direction of migration with respect to the electric field direction is influenced by the properties of ion channels, and are cell-type dependent.

Received 16 June 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.268101

Authors & Affiliations

Yizeng Li¹, Yoichiro Mori², and Sean X. Sun^1,3,*

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
²School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
³Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences–Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA