Messerli Mark A, Graham David M
The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering.
Biol Bull. 2011 Aug;221(1):79-92. doi: 10.1086/BBLv221n1p79.
Endogenous DC electric fields (EFs) are important, fundamental components of development, regeneration, and wound healing. The fields are the result of polarized ion transport and current flow through electrically conductive pathways. Nullification of endogenous EFs with pharmacological agents or applied EFs of opposite polarity disturbs the aforementioned processes, while enhancement increases the rate of wound closure and the extent of regeneration. EFs are applied to humans in the clinic, to provide an overwhelming signal for the enhancement of healing of chronic wounds. Although clinical trials, spanning a course of decades, have shown that applied EFs enhance healing of chronic wounds, the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to these weak cues remains unknown. EFs are thought to influence many different processes in vivo. However, under more rigorously controlled conditions in vitro, applied EFs induce cellular polarity and direct migration and outgrowth. Here we review the generation of endogenous EFs, the results of their alteration, and the mechanisms by which cells may sense these weak fields. Understanding the mechanisms by which native and applied EFs direct development and repair will enable current and future therapeutic applications to be optimized.
内源性直流电场（EFs）是发育、再生和伤口愈合的重要基本组成部分。这些电场是极化离子运输和电流通过导电通路流动的结果。用药物制剂消除内源性电场或施加相反极性的电场会干扰上述过程，而增强电场则会提高伤口闭合速率和再生程度。电场已在临床上应用于人体，以提供一个压倒性的信号来促进慢性伤口的愈合。尽管历经数十年的临床试验表明，施加电场可促进慢性伤口的愈合，但细胞感知并响应这些微弱信号的机制仍不清楚。电场被认为会影响体内许多不同的过程。然而，在体外更严格控制的条件下，施加电场会诱导细胞极性并引导细胞迁移和生长。在此，我们综述内源性电场的产生、其改变的结果以及细胞感知这些微弱电场的机制。了解天然和施加电场指导发育和修复的机制将有助于优化当前和未来的治疗应用。
