BIOELECTROMAGNETISM OF GROWTH CONTROL
– A CONFIRMED THEORY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

Charles Shang
Emory University School of Medicine
5351C New Peachtree Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30341-2827, USA

Abstract: Bioelectric fields have been shown to interact with morphogens and guide growth control. Recent research results confirmed the predictions from the morphogenetic singularity theory published in the 80’s: Organizing centers have high density of gap junctions and high electrical conductance. They are the singular points in morphogen gradient and bioelectric field in a network connected with boundaries – separatrices which also have high electric conductance. The formation and maintenance of all the physiological systems are dependent on the activity of the growth control system. The growth control signal transduction is embedded in the activity of the function-based physiological systems. The regulation of most physiological processes is through growth control mechanisms such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, and apoptosis. The theory suggests that the growth control system originates from a network of organizing centers containing under-differentiated stem cells and retains its regulatory functions after embryogenesis. Acupuncture points and the meridian system, which also have high electrical conductance and high density of gap junctions, originate from organizing centers. This theory can explain the distribution and non-specific activation of organizing centers and many research results in acupuncture.  Using singular point can be an efficient way of diagnosis, therapy and activation of intrinsic stem cell system.

INTRODUCTION: Bioelectric field in growth control

Several lines of evidence suggests that the bioelectric field guides morphogenesis and cell division [1,2,3]. The growth and migration of a variety of cells are sensitive to electric fields of physiological strength. In most cases, there is enhanced cell growth toward the cathode and reduced cell growth toward the anode in electric fields of physiological strength. Imposed electric fields can cause polarization of mammalian blastomeres. The anterior-posterior polarity and dorsal-ventral polarity in lower animal morphogenesis can be completely or partially reversed when the polarity of the imposed electric field is opposite to that of the intrinsic electric field [4]. The electric signals and chemical signals can enhance each other in growth control. For example, growth factors and extracellular calcium are required for electric field-induced directional migration of human keratinocytes. Electric field in turn can induce the expression of transforming growth factor – beta1 and c-fos [5], as well as cause asymmetric distribution of growth factor receptors and other membrane proteins.

RESULTS: The confirmation of the morphogenetic singularity theory

In development, the fate of a larger region is frequently controlled by a small group of cells, which is termed an organizing center [6]. The morphogenetic singularity theory published in the 80’s predicted several common properties of organizing centers which have been confirmed [7,8]:

1. Organizing centers have high electrical conductance and current density.[9] Change in electric activity at the organizing centers correlates with signal transduction and can precede morphologic change.

2. Organizing centers have high density of gap junctions.[10,11] It is well established that gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication, increase electrical conductivity, and play a crucial role in morphogenesis.[12]

3. At the macroscopic level, organizing centers are singular points in the morphogen gradient and electric field. As expected from the nature of singular points, organizing centers are sensitive to small perturbations and can be activated by various nonspecific stimuli such as mechanical injury and injection of nonspecific chemicals.[6,13] Organizing centers tend to locate at the extreme points of surface curvature. Separatrices are boundaries of high electric conductance which connect the singular points – organizing centers in growth control: At early stages of embryogenesis, gap junction-mediated intercellular communication is usually diffusely distributed. As predicted, gap junctions become restricted at discrete boundaries during embryogenensis, leading to the subdivision of the embryo into communication compartment domains.[10,14] These boundaries are also major pathways of bioelectric currents. Separatrices can be folds on the surface or boundaries between different structures.[15] Consistent with the under-differentiation of the growth control network, it has been observed that the most apical part of folds in embryos remain undifferentiated in morphogenesis.

4. The formation and maintenance of all the physiological systems are dependent on the activity of the growth control system. The growth control signal transduction is embedded in the activity of the function-based physiological systems. The regulation of most physiological processes is through growth control mechanisms such as hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, and apoptosis involving growth control genes such as proto-oncogenes. [16,17]

DISCUSSION

The role of the growth control system in evolution and physiology

The theory extrapolates that a growth control system originates from a network of organizing centers containing under-differentiated cells and retains its regulatory functions after embryogenesis [18,7,8]. The evolutionary origin of the growth control system is likely to have preceded all the other physiological systems. Its genetic blueprint might have served as a template from which the newer systems evolved.

Meridian system originates from a growth control system

Acupuncture points and the related meridian system, which also have high electrical conductance and high density of gap junctions [18,8], are likely to originate from organizing centers and the growth control network system. This theory can explain the distribution and non-specific activation of organizing centers and many research results in acupuncture. In clinical trials, acupuncture has shown efficacy in wound healing and treating growth control related disorders such as osteoarthritis and low sperm quality. The neuro-humoral factors induced by acupuncture such as endorphins, growth hormone, basic fibroblast growth factor, serotonin and ACTH all have growth-control effects.[8,19]

A hierarchy of the intrinsic stem cell system

The germ cell is one of the least differentiated cells and also a type of stem cell. The germ cell tumors have a midline and para-axial distribution pattern which spans from the sacrococcygeal region to pineal gland. It appears to concentrate at seven locations: sacrococcygeal region, gonads, retroperitoneum, thymus, thyroid, suprasellar region, and pineal gland.[20] The primary tumor distribution pattern of a certain cell type reflects the distribution of its normal counterpart. The pattern of germ cell tumor distribution suggests the existence of under-differentiated cells which may be highly interconnected in a normal state and provide important regulatory functions. The distribution of germ cells closely resembles the chakra system – likely to be part of the inner growth control system. It is likely that there is a hierarchy in the degree of cell differentiation and function in the growth control system. The theory suggests a unified biophysical foundation of the meridian and chakra systems.[8]

Propect on the bioelectromagnetism of growth control

The growth control system - meridian system can be further studied with superconducting quantum interference device, electric impedance spectroscopy and other techniques. The fact that the change in electric field precedes morphologic change and manipulation of the electric field can affect the change can shed light on the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases as well as the activation of intrinsic stem cells. These can be done more effectively using the singular points of the growth control system.

Acknowledgments: I thank the Boston Life Sciences Study Group, American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, Richard Hammerschlag and Min Gu for help.

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