Computational model for migration of human osteoblasts in direct current electric field*

Cell migration plays an important role in both physiological (development, regeneration) and pathological conditions (cancer metastasis). Cells migrate while sensing environmental cues in the form of mechanical, chemical or electrical stimuli. Although it is known that osteoblasts respond to exogenous electric fields, the underlying mechanism of electrotactic collective movement of human osteoblasts is unclear. Theoretical and computational approaches to study electrotactic cell migration until now did not consider the effect of electric field on single-cell motility, together with spatially dependent cell-to-cell interactions. Here, we present a computational model that takes into account cell interactions and describes cell migration in direct current electric field. We compare this model with in vitro experiments in which human primary osteoblasts are exposed to direct current electric field of varying field strength. Our results show that cell-cell interactions and fluctuations in the migration direction together lead to anode-directed collective migration of osteoblasts.