JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments
Neuroscience
0 views • 2:15 min • June 17th, 2025
Begin with Schwann cells or SCs, myelinating glial cells of the peripheral nervous system, cultured in media.
Transfer the cells to a colorimetric dish equipped with electrodes on both sides.
Place the dish on a nanosecond pulsed electric field or nsPEF device and set the desired electric field intensity.
Apply nsPEF pulses by carefully rotating the electrodes until sparks appear.
Immediately post-stimulation, separate the electrodes and continue culturing the cells.
nsPEF disrupts SC membranes, creating transient nanopores that allow calcium influx. The membranes eventually reseal.
Intracellular calcium activates calcium-binding proteins, triggering signaling pathways that upregulate genes involved in cell cycle progression.
Sustained calcium signaling also activates transcription factors that drive the dedifferentiation of SCs into a repair phenotype, followed by proliferation.
Additionally, the secretion of neurotrophic factors that support neuronal survival and growth increases.
The model is now ready to study the role of nsPEF-stimulated SCs in peripheral nerve regeneration post-injury.
To begin, resuspend the cultured RSC96 cells in 1 milliliter of DMEM culture medium, and transfer th
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