CLC number:
On-line Access: 2025-05-20
Received: 2024-07-17
Revision Accepted: 2024-11-07
Crosschecked: 0000-00-00
Cited: 0
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Qunfeng Yang (???) & Qing Zhang (??). Innovative dual-physical bioreactor for quantifying the synergistic effects of electro-stiffness coupling stimulation on cancer cells[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science D, 2025, 8(3): 461481.
@article{title=" Innovative dual-physical bioreactor for quantifying the synergistic effects of
electro-stiffness coupling stimulation on cancer cells",
author="Qunfeng Yang (???) & Qing Zhang (??)",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science D",
volume="8",
number="3",
pages="461481",
year="2025",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/bdm.2400280"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Innovative dual-physical bioreactor for quantifying the synergistic effects of
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%A Qunfeng Yang (???) & Qing Zhang (??)
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE D
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%P 461481
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%D 2025
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/bdm.2400280
TY - JOUR
T1 - Innovative dual-physical bioreactor for quantifying the synergistic effects of
electro-stiffness coupling stimulation on cancer cells
A1 - Qunfeng Yang (???) & Qing Zhang (??)
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science D
VL - 8
IS - 3
SP - 461481
EP -
%@ 1869-1951
Y1 - 2025
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
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DOI - 10.1631/bdm.2400280
Abstract: Cells live in a multiphysics-coupled microenvironment in vivo, in which electric fields (EFs) and mechanical cues are the
most essential induction signals. The regulatory effects of EFs and stiffness on cells have been independently demonstrated.
However, how cells respond to electromechanical coupling cues remains mysterious. In this study, an electro-stiffness
coupled chip system was designed and fabricated, freely integrating and precisely controlling EF strength and the mechanical
stiffness applied to cells across the physiological spectrum. Utilizing the innovative bioreactor, it was observed that electro
mechanical coupling stimulations can shape cancer cell morphology and cytoskeleton into a unique anteroposterior polariza
tion state and orient cancer cell migration in a voltage-dependent manner through cytoskeleton-associated mechanisms. More
over, the mechanical stiffness regulated cancer cell susceptibility to EFs, and the orientation effect of EFs on cells required a
stiffness threshold. Furthermore, transforming growth factor-?1 suppressed the orientation of cancer cells induced by electro
mechanical coupling signals and showed a splitting effect on the directionality and velocity of cancer cell migration, indicat
ing a comprehensive cross-talk of biochemicalelectromechanical signals. Together with the dual-physical bioreactor we de
signed, these findings provide a robust and convenient platform for exploring cellular responses to electro-stiffness coupling
signals, reveal the biophysical mechanisms of cell polarization and migration from the perspective of electromechanical cou
pling, and lay a promising foundation for biophysical-based cell manipulation and therapeutic interventions.
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