The orientation of the neuronal growth process can be directed via magnetic nanoparticles under an applied magnetic field

Cristina Riggio, M. Pilar Calatayud, Martina Giannaccini, Beatriz Sanz, Teobaldo E. Torres, Rodrigo Fernández-Pacheco, Andrea Ripoli, Manuel Ricardo Ibarra, Luciana Dente, Alfred Cuschieri, Gerardo F. Goya, Vittoria Raffa

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    90 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    There is a growing body of evidence indicating the importance of physical stimuli for neuronal growth and development. Specifically, results from published experimental studies indicate that forces, when carefully controlled, can modulate neuronal regeneration. Here, we validate a non-invasive approach for physical guidance of nerve regeneration based on the synergic use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and magnetic fields (Ms). The concept is that the application of a tensile force to a neuronal cell can stimulate neurite initiation or axon elongation in the desired direction, the MNPs being used to generate this tensile force under the effect of a static external magnetic field providing the required directional orientation. In a neuron-like cell line, we have confirmed that MNPs direct the neurite outgrowth preferentially along the direction imposed by an external magnetic field, by inducing a net angle displacement (about 30°) of neurite direction. From the Clinical Editor: This study validates that non-invasive approaches for physical guidance of nerve regeneration based on the synergic use of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic fields are possible. The hypothesis was confirmed by observing preferential neurite outgrowth in a cell culture system along the direction imposed by an external magnetic field.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1549-1558
    Number of pages10
    JournalNanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine
    Volume10
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2014

    Keywords

    • Magnetic field
    • Magnetic nanoparticle
    • Nerve regeneration
    • Neurite outgrowth orientation
    • Physical guidance

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Bioengineering
    • Medicine (miscellaneous)
    • Molecular Medicine
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • General Materials Science
    • Pharmaceutical Science

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