Analytical Sciences

Alternation of Gene Expression Levels in Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Applying Positive Dielectrophoresis

Junya YOSHIOKA,* Toru YOSHITOMI,* Tomoyuki YASUKAWA,** and Keitaro YOSHIMOTO*

*Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
**Graduate School of Material Science, University of Hyogo, 3-2-1 Kouto, Kamigori, Ako, Hyogo 678-1297, Japan

In this study, we investigated the effect of positive dielectrophoresis (DEP) on gene expression in mesenchymal stem cells. When applying an alternating current voltage, human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (UE7T-13) exhibited a positive DEP, and were compressed onto the electrode surface. The constructed device can easily control the DEP force to the cells by changing the frequency. Interestingly, gene expressions of the cell differentiation marker in UE7T-13 cells and the mechanical stimulation-susceptible one were changed by applying a positive DEP. These results suggested that the gene expression in mesenchymal stem cells can be regulated by applying mechanical stimulation derived from DEP.

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