Galvanotactic Migration of EA.Hy926 Endothelial Cells in a Novel Designed Electric Field Bioreactor

Endogenous direct current electric fields (dcEFs) play a significant role in major biological processes such as embryogenesis, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. In this study, the galvanotaxis of human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.Hy926 was investigated by using a novel designed bioreactor. The physical features of the bioreactor were discussed and analyzed by both numerical simulation method and equivalent circuit model method. EA.Hy926 cells were cultured in the bioreactor for 10-24 h under 50-250 mV/mm dcEFs. Cell migration direction, distance, and velocity were recorded under an online time-lapse microscope. The effects of serum and growth factor on cell galvanotatic migration were investigated. To further explore the role of dcEFs in regulating endothelial cells, we analyzed the endothelial cell proliferation and secretion of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1) in response to dcEFs of physiological strength. Our results showed that EA.Hy926 cells had an obvious directional migration to the cathode, and the EF-directed migration was voltage dependent. The results also showed dcEFs did not affect cell proliferation, but affected the productions of NO and ET-1. Our study also showed the novel bioreactor, with a compact and planar style, makes it more convenient and more reasonable for EF stimulation experiments than earlier chamber designs.