Effects of Electrical Stimulation of the Cell: Wound Healing, Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Signal Transduction

Abstract

Electrical stimulation of the cell can have a number of different effects depending on the type of cell being stimulated. In general, electrical stimulation can cause the cell to become more active, increase its metabolism, and change its gene expression. For example, if the electrical stimulation is of low intensity and short duration, it may simply cause the cell to depolarize. However, if the electrical stimulation is of high intensity or long duration, it may cause the cell to become hyperpolarized. The electrical stimulation of cells is a process by which an electrical current is applied to cells in order to change their function or behavior. This process can be used to treat various medical conditions and has been shown to be effective in a number of studies. In this perspective, the effects of electrical stimulation on the cell are summarized.

Keywords: cell adhesion; cultured cells; cytoskeleton; electrical stimulation; signal transduction.

Figure 1

Schematic illustration of signal transduction within the cell after electrical stimulation.

Figure 2

More and larger focal adhesions and stress fibers were observed after periodic electrical stimulation. An increase in the number and size of focal adhesions and stress fibers was observed after periodic electrical stimulation. After 20 h of such stimulation, both the stress fibers and focal adhesions had thickened and enlarged (D–F) compared with those in the control (no electrical stimulation) (A–C). (A–C): Control (no electrical stimulation); (A): Rhodamine phalloidin; (B): GFP-paxillin; (C): Merge (D–F): 20 h of electrical stimulation; (D): Rhodamine phalloidin; (E): GFP-paxillin; (F): Merge. The arrows in (B) indicate typical focal adhesion before electrical stimulation (control); the arrowheads in E indicate enlarged focal adhesions after electrical stimulation for 20 h. Bars: 10 μm (all figures are of the same magnification). See also Katoh (2022) [2].