Non Excitable Cells Sense EFs through Electrophoresis and Electroosmosis

Chronic epidermal wounds that do not heal within 30 days afflict nearly 8.2 million patients across the country, costing US healthcare system up to $96 billion annually. Electrical stimulation (ES) of skin speeds healing chronic despite absence specific mechanisms. We are testing hypotheses understand mechanisms by which non-excitable cells involved with wound sense these EFs. For comparison, high voltage electrically excitable depends on electrical force perpendicular plane plasma membrane. Membrane depolarization leads activation voltage-gated channels, other voltage-activated sensors and promotes action potentials signaling cascades leading muscle contraction, exocytosis, changes in gene expression. Surprisingly, cells, e.g. keratinocytes, endothelial fibroblasts, respond weaker EFs insufficient activate membrane sensors. Moreover, exhibit potentials. hypothesize through forces parallel including electrophoresis electroosmosis (electrically driven water flow). These known redistribute cell surface extracellular macromolecules. have used neutral fluorescent dextrans monitor flow space assess its role redistributing macromolecules, induce cellular polarity migration, promote viability.