Migration of human T cells can be differentially directed by electric fields depending on the extracellular microenvironment

Abstract

T cell migration plays an essential role in the immune response and Tcell-based therapies. It can be modulated by chemical and physical cues such as electric fields (EFs). The mechanisms underlying electrotaxis (cell migration manipulated by EFs) are not fully understood and systematic studies with immune cells are rare. In this invitro study, we show that direct current EFs with strengths of physiologically occurring EFs (25-200mV/mm) can guide the migration of primary human CD4+ and CD8+ Tcells on 2D substrates toward the anode and in a 3D environment differentially (CD4+ Tcells show cathodal and CD8+ Tcells show anodal electrotaxis). Overall, we find that EFs present a potent stimulus to direct Tcell migration in different microenvironments in a cell-type-, substrate-, and voltage-dependent manner, while not significantly influencing Tcell differentiation or viability.