Directional Migration of Breast Cancer Cells Hindered by Induced Electric Fields May Be Due to Accompanying Alteration of Metabolic Activity

Abstract

Abstract Summary

Overview: This study investigates the impact of induced electric fields (iEFs) on the migration and metabolic activity of breast cancer cells. The focus is primarily on the directional migration hindered by these fields and the metabolic changes accompanying this effect.

Background: Electric fields are known to influence the directional migration of cancer cells. The connection between cell migration and metabolism is critical, especially within the context of cancer metastasis. However, the specific effects of iEFs on metabolic pathways related to migration have not been well-studied.

Methods: This research utilizes a quantitative analysis approach, reviewing cell migration speeds and patterns in a bidirectional microtrack assay. It also assesses changes in metabolic markers such as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the presence of iEFs and epidermal growth factor (EGF).

Findings:

• iEFs increase cells' forward migration speed while causing delays or pauses in the reverse direction or when stationary.
• Differential effects were observed in oxidative phosphorylation in breast cancer cells and glycolysis in normal mammary cells under the influence of iEFs and EGF.

Conclusions: The study suggests that iEFs may hinder breast cancer cell migration by impacting mitochondrial metabolism, particularly by inhibiting SDH activity in the presence of EGF. This disruption in energy processes crucial for migration may present new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting metabolic pathways in highly metastatic cells.