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Effect of Electric Field on Stem Cells, Bone/Cartilage Cells, Neurons for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2023) | Viewed by 8436

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of General Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Rostock, 18051 Rostock, Germany
Interests: electromagnetic field theory; computational electromagnetics; numerical simulation of electromagnetic fields; computational bioelectromagnetism; multiscale and multiphysics modeling and simulations; uncertainty quantification

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Guest Editor
Institute of General Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Rostock, 18051 Rostock, Germany
Interests: electromagnetic field theory; computational bioelectromagnetism; numerical simulation of electromagnetic phenomena; modeling and simulation of biological systems for implant studies and their interactions; computational neuroscience; membrane electrostatics; tissue engineering; multiscale and multiphysics modeling and simulations; uncertainty quantification

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Guest Editor
Max-Bergmann Centre for Biomaterials, Institute for Materials Science, Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
Interests: biomaterial/biomimetic bioreactor development; bone/cartilage tissue engineering

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Interests: influence of external electric fields on stem cell differentiation and cell migration; mean-field and finite element modeling of dynamical living systems; tissue morphogenesis during growth and development; biophysics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to consolidate current research to develop a comprehensive understanding of the influence of electric fields on stem cells and bone cells. The scope of this Special Issue ranges from experimental techniques for mathematical modeling to engineering methods for studying tissue regeneration. Therefore, contributions are invited in the form of research articles, reports, and reviews from all science and engineering disciplines focused on the effect of electric fields on cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration.

The influence of electric fields on different cellular processes has been the central aspect of cutting-edge research in biological, chemical, physical, and engineering sciences. We are interested in in vitro studies investigating the processes of bone remodeling in the presence of electric fields, as well as in silico models studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate cell response to applied electric fields. Additionally, articles on the synergy of in vitro and in silico studies for unraveling the mechanisms of cellular processes are also of interest.

Research related to the following topics, but not limited to, are invited for this Special Issue:

  • Electric stimulation (AC/DC);
  • Differentiation;
  • Proliferation;
  • Migration;
  • Osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells;
  • Mathematical modeling and simulation;
  • Electrotaxis chamber;
  • Bone tissue engineering;
  • Bone remodeling;
  • Regenerative medicine.

Prof. Dr. Ursula van Rienen
Dr. Revathi Appali
Dr. Poh Soo Lee
Dr. Jonathan E. Dawson
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • AC/DC electric field
  • bone tissue engineering
  • regenerative medicine
  • osteoblasts
  • stem cells
  • differentiation
  • proliferation
  • electrotaxis
  • mathematical/computational modeling
  • neuron
  • brain stimulation

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 18345 KiB  
Article
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy and Direct Current Electric Field Modulation Promote the Migration of Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes to Accelerate Cartilage Repair In Vitro
by Neeraj Sakhrani, Robert M. Stefani, Stefania Setti, Ruggero Cadossi, Gerard A. Ateshian and Clark T. Hung
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 12406; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122312406 - 4 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3079
Abstract
Articular cartilage injuries are a common source of joint pain and dysfunction. As articular cartilage is avascular, it exhibits a poor intrinsic healing capacity for self-repair. Clinically, osteochondral grafts are used to surgically restore the articular surface following injury. A significant challenge remains [...] Read more.
Articular cartilage injuries are a common source of joint pain and dysfunction. As articular cartilage is avascular, it exhibits a poor intrinsic healing capacity for self-repair. Clinically, osteochondral grafts are used to surgically restore the articular surface following injury. A significant challenge remains with the repair properties at the graft-host tissue interface as proper integration is critical toward restoring normal load distribution across the joint. A key to addressing poor tissue integration may involve optimizing mobilization of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) that exhibit chondrogenic potential and are derived from the adjacent synovium, the specialized connective tissue membrane that envelops the diarthrodial joint. Synovium-derived cells have been directly implicated in the native repair response of articular cartilage. Electrotherapeutics hold potential as low-cost, low-risk, non-invasive adjunctive therapies for promoting cartilage healing via cell-mediated repair. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) and applied direct current (DC) electric fields (EFs) via galvanotaxis are two potential therapeutic strategies to promote cartilage repair by stimulating the migration of FLS within a wound or defect site. PEMF chambers were calibrated to recapitulate clinical standards (1.5 ± 0.2 mT, 75 Hz, 1.3 ms duration). PEMF stimulation promoted bovine FLS migration using a 2D in vitro scratch assay to assess the rate of wound closure following cruciform injury. Galvanotaxis DC EF stimulation assisted FLS migration within a collagen hydrogel matrix in order to promote cartilage repair. A novel tissue-scale bioreactor capable of applying DC EFs in sterile culture conditions to 3D constructs was designed in order to track the increased recruitment of synovial repair cells via galvanotaxis from intact bovine synovium explants to the site of a cartilage wound injury. PEMF stimulation further modulated FLS migration into the bovine cartilage defect region. Biochemical composition, histological analysis, and gene expression revealed elevated GAG and collagen levels following PEMF treatment, indicative of its pro-anabolic effect. Together, PEMF and galvanotaxis DC EF modulation are electrotherapeutic strategies with complementary repair properties. Both procedures may enable direct migration or selective homing of target cells to defect sites, thus augmenting natural repair processes for improving cartilage repair and healing. Full article
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20 pages, 5123 KiB  
Article
Is There an Influence of Electrically Stimulated Osteoblasts on the Induction of Osteoclastogenesis?
by Franziska Sahm, Ana Jakovljevic, Rainer Bader, Rainer Detsch and Anika Jonitz-Heincke
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(22), 11840; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122211840 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1450
Abstract
Bone is a highly dynamic tissue characterized mainly by the interactions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. When the healing ability of bone regeneration is disturbed, targeted biophysical stimulations such as electrical stimulation are applied. In this study the indirect effects of electrically stimulated human [...] Read more.
Bone is a highly dynamic tissue characterized mainly by the interactions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. When the healing ability of bone regeneration is disturbed, targeted biophysical stimulations such as electrical stimulation are applied. In this study the indirect effects of electrically stimulated human osteoblasts on osteoclastogenesis were investigated to better understand detailed cellular interactions. Therefore, two different cell developmental stages were examined: peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as precursors and pre-osteoclasts as differentiated cells. Previously, over a 21-day period, human osteoblasts were stimulated with a low-frequency alternating electric field. The supernatants were collected and used for an indirect co-culture of PBMCs and pre-osteoclasts. The cellular viability and the induction of differentiation and activity were analyzed. Further, the secretion of relevant osteoclastic markers was examined. Supernatants of 7 d and 14 d stimulated osteoblasts led to a decrease in the viability of PBMCs and an increased number of cells containing actin ring structures. Supernatants from osteoblasts stimulated over 7 d induced PBMC differentiation and pre-osteoclastic activation. Furthermore, pre-osteoclasts showed varying mRNA transcripts of MCP-1, ACP5, CA2, and CASP8 when cultivated with media from osteoblasts. Supernatants from day 21 did not influence PBMCs at all but increased the viability of pre-osteoclasts. We could show that different time points of stimulated osteoblasts have varying effects on the cells and that changes can be observed due to the differentiation stages of the cells. Through the effects of the indirect stimulation, it was possible to underline the importance of studying not only osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization behavior under electric stimulation but also analyzing changes in osteoclastogenesis and the activity of osteoclasts. Full article
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14 pages, 1737 KiB  
Article
PPIA and YWHAZ Constitute a Stable Pair of Reference Genes during Electrical Stimulation in Mesenchymal Stem Cells
by Lynsey Steel, David M. Ansell, Enrique Amaya and Sarah H. Cartmell
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12010153 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2968
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells with great potential in regenerative medicine. One method for stimulating proliferation and differentiation of MSCs is via electrical stimulation (ES). A valuable approach for evaluating the response of MSCs to ES is to assess [...] Read more.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells with great potential in regenerative medicine. One method for stimulating proliferation and differentiation of MSCs is via electrical stimulation (ES). A valuable approach for evaluating the response of MSCs to ES is to assess changes in gene expression, relative to one or more reference genes. In a survey of 25 publications that used ES on cells, 70% selected GAPDH as the reference gene. We conducted a study to assess the suitability of six potential reference genes on an immortalized human MSC line following direct current ES at seeding densities of 5000 and 10,000 cells/cm2. We employed three methods to validate the most stable reference genes from qRT-PCR data. Our findings show that GAPDH and ACTB exhibit reduced stability when seeded at 5000 cell/cm2. In contrast, we found that the most stable genes across both plating densities and stimulation regimes were PPIA and YWHAZ. Thus, in ES gene expression studies in MSCs, we support the use of PPIA and YWHAZ as an optimal reference gene pair, and discourage the use of ACTB and GAPDH at lower seeding densities. However, it is strongly recommended that similar verification studies are carried out based on cell type and different ES conditions. Full article
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