Noninvasive electromagnetic fields on keratinocyte growth and migration.
BACKGROUND
Although evidence has shown that very small electrical currents produce a beneficial therapeutic result for wounds, noninvasive electromagnetic field (EMF) therapy has consisted mostly of anecdotal clinical reports, with very few well-controlled laboratory mechanistic studies. In this study, we evaluate the effects and potential mechanisms of a noninvasive EMF device on skin wound repair.


METHODS
The effects of noninvasive EMF on keratinocytes and fibroblasts were assessed via proliferation and incisional wound model migration assays. cDNA microarray and RT-PCR were utilized to assess genetic expression changes in keratinocytes after noninvasive EMF treatment.


RESULTS
In vitro analyses with human skin keratinocyte cultures demonstrated that noninvasive EMFs have a strong effect on accelerating keratinocyte migration and a relatively weaker effect on promoting keratinocyte proliferation. The positive effects of noninvasive EMFs on cell migration and proliferation seem keratinocyte-specific without such effects seen on dermal fibroblasts. cDNA microarray and RT-PCR performed revealed increased expression of CRK7 and HOXC8 genes in treated keratinocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that a noninvasive EMF accelerates wound re-epithelialization through a mechanism of promoting keratinocyte migration and proliferation, possibly due to upregulation of CRK7 and HOXC8 genes.
Huo
Ran
R
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Ma
Qianli
Q
Wu
James J
JJ
Chin-Nuke
Kayla
K
Jing
Yuqi
Y
Chen
Juan
J
Miyar
Maria E
ME
Davis
Stephen C
SC
Li
Jie
J
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D052816:Foreskin / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing
D000199:Actins; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger