Effect of mechanical and electrical stimulation on breast cell behavior

Abstract

Cell migration plays an important role in physiological and pathological process $\;t{in vivo}$. It has been reported that cell are exposed to various mechanical forces including tensile, compressive, shear and electrical stresses, and these various external stimulus have an influence on regulating or inducing dynamic cellular responses through mechanotransduction pathway. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the dynamic behavior of cells under the effects of physical stimulation. The objectives of this study is to investigate the effects of shear and electrical stresses on the dynamic behavior of different types of breast cells, MCF-10A (normal), MCF-7 (non-metastatic cancer cells), and MDA-MB-231 (metastatic cancer cells) because breast epithelial cells are exposed to interstitial flow with a minimal shear stress and transepithelial electrical potential difference. We first develop a self-contained incubation system with a parallel plate shear stress and E-field induction chamber. Under various flow and E -field conditions, the dynamic responses of three different cell types are investigated in real-time. Besides, a possible factor which relates to force induced cell motility is studied by depleting external calcium supplement. This study will help us to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying shear and electrical stimulation induced breast cell behavior.