Investigation of The Cellular Response to Bone Fractures: Evidence for Flexoelectricity.

ABSTRACT: The recent discovery of bone flexoelectricity (strain-gradient-induced electrical polarization) suggests that flexoelectricity could have physiological effects in bones, and specifically near bone fractures, where flexoelectricity is theoretically highest. Here, we report a cytological study of the interaction between crack stress and bone cells. We have cultured MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblastic cells in biomimetic microcracked hydroxyapatite substrates, differentiated into osteocytes and applied a strain gradient to the samples. The results show a strong apoptotic cellular response, whereby mechanical stimulation causes those cells near the crack to die, as indicated by live-dead and caspase staining. In addition, analysis two weeks post-stimulation shows increased cell attachment and minerali

SUBMITTER: Nunez-Toldra R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6959267 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature