Effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields on gap junctional intercellular communication between human bone marrow stromal cells

Objective To explore the functional changes of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) irradiated by pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs). Methods The third generation human mesenchymal stem cells were observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to explore the structure of gap junction, irradiated by PEMFs of 50Hz, 1.1mT, 4h/d. The method of fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) was used to evaluate the functions of GJIC through a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results The mean fluorescence recovery rate of the hBMSCs irradiated by PEMFs (64.12±0.83)%was significantly higher than that of the control group cells (35.26±0.76)%(P 0.05). Conclusion PEMFs can accelerate the function of GJIC between hBMSCs.