AIM: To observe the effect of applied direct electric field(EF)on the migration, cell growth, apoptosis and cell cycle of human lens epithelial cells(hLECs).

METHODS: HLE-B3 cells were exposed to EF at 100mV/mm, 200mV/mm and 400mV/mm, respectively. Cells without EF-exposure were treated as normal controls. Photos of HLE-B3 cells were captured before and after EF-exposure, and the cell numbers were calculated. Apoptosis and cell cycle were detected with flow cytometry after EF-exposure for 24h.

RESULTS: After exposure to EF at 400mV/mm for 3h, HLE-B3 cells showed directed migration to the cathode. The cell number of HLE-B3 cells decreased gradually with continuous EF-exposure, and decreased by 12.6% at 6h and by 18.6% at 12h, respectively(P<0.05). After exposure to EF at 100mV/mm, 200mV/mm and 400mV/mm for 24h, the apoptosis rates of HLE-B3 cells increased dramatically compared to that of the normal control, which were(9.2±1.9)%,(23.9±2.6)% and(54±2.5)%, respectively(P<0.05). Accordingly, the results of flow cytometry showed that cell numbers in G2/M phase were increased after EF-exposure, which were(13.8±2.2)% and(15.6±2.5)% at 200mV/mm and 400mV/mm, respectively(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Applied direct EF induces directed migration of HLE-B3 cells and inhibits the cell growth with the prolongation of the EF-exposure time. EF also induces cell apoptosis and G2/M phase inhibition of the cell cycle in HLE-B3 cells.