Exploration of molecular pathways mediating electric field-directed Schwann cell migration by RNA-Seq

Schwann cells, which insulate nerve fibers, can be guided to migrate in a specific direction using electric fields (EFs). This study found that Schwann cells migrate towards the positive pole (anode) in an EF. The strength of the electric field affects how directly the cells migrate, but it doesn't significantly change how fast they move. The researchers used RNA sequencing to identify which genes and pathways are involved in this directed movement. They found that genes related to cell movement and structure, like those involved in actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion, are significantly affected by the electric field. This suggests that these pathways are key to how Schwann cells respond to electrical cues.

• 1
  Schwann cells migrate towards the anode in an applied electric field, and the directedness and displacement of migration increase with the strength of the electric field.
• 2
  RNA sequencing identified 1,045 up-regulated and 1,636 down-regulated genes in control cells versus EF-stimulated cells.
• 3
  KEGG pathway analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes participate in multiple cellular signaling pathways involved in the regulation of cell migration, including regulation of actin cytoskeleton, focal adhesion, and PI3K-Akt pathways.