Sample records for magnetically activated cell

  1. Magnetic Field-Induced T Cell Receptor Clustering by Nanoparticles Enhances T Cell Activation and Stimulates Antitumor Activity

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Iron–dextran nanoparticles functionalized with T cell activating proteins have been used to study T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. However, nanoparticle triggering of membrane receptors is poorly understood and may be sensitive to physiologically regulated changes in TCR clustering that occur after T cell activation. Nano-aAPC bound 2-fold more TCR on activated T cells, which have clustered TCR, than on naive T cells, resulting in a lower threshold for activation. To enhance T cell activation, a magnetic field was used to drive aggregation of paramagnetic nano-aAPC, resulting in a doubling of TCR cluster size and increased T cell expansion in vitro and after adoptive transfer in vivo. T cells activated by nano-aAPC in a magnetic field inhibited growth of B16 melanoma, showing that this novel approach, using magnetic field-enhanced nano-aAPC stimulation, can generate large numbers of activated antigen-specific T cells and has clinically relevant applications for adoptive immunotherapy. PMID:24564881

  2. Magnetic Cobalt Ferrite Nanocrystals For an Energy Storage Concentration Cell.

    PubMed

    Dai, Qilin; Patel, Ketan; Donatelli, Greg; Ren, Shenqiang

    2016-08-22

    Energy-storage concentration cells are based on the concentration gradient of redox-active reactants; the increased entropy is transformed into electric energy as the concentration gradient reaches equilibrium between two half cells. A recyclable and flow-controlled magnetic electrolyte concentration cell is now presented. The hybrid inorganic-organic nanocrystal-based electrolyte, consisting of molecular redox-active ligands adsorbed on the surface of magnetic nanocrystals, leads to a magnetic-field-driven concentration gradient of redox molecules. The energy storage performance of concentration cells is dictated by magnetic characteristics of cobalt ferrite nanocrystal carriers. The enhanced conductivity and kinetics of redox-active electrolytes could further induce a sharp concentration gradient to improve the energy density and voltage switching of magnetic electrolyte concentration cells. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Degradation of Carbazole by Microbial Cells Immobilized in Magnetic Gellan Gum Gel Beads▿

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xia; Gai, Zhonghui; Yu, Bo; Feng, Jinhui; Xu, Changyong; Yuan, Yong; Lin, Zhixin; Xu, Ping

    2007-01-01

    Polycyclic aromatic heterocycles, such as carbazole, are environmental contaminants suspected of posing human health risks. In this study, we investigated the degradation of carbazole by immobilized Sphingomonas sp. strain XLDN2-5 cells. Four kinds of polymers were evaluated as immobilization supports for Sphingomonas sp. strain XLDN2-5. After comparison with agar, alginate, and κ-carrageenan, gellan gum was selected as the optimal immobilization support. Furthermore, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by a coprecipitation method, and the average particle size was about 20 nm with 49.65-electromagnetic-unit (emu) g−1 saturation magnetization. When the mixture of gellan gel and the Fe3O4 nanoparticles served as an immobilization support, the magnetically immobilized cells were prepared by an ionotropic method. The biodegradation experiments were carried out by employing free cells, nonmagnetically immobilized cells, and magnetically immobilized cells in aqueous phase. The results showed that the magnetically immobilized cells presented higher carbazole biodegradation activity than nonmagnetically immobilized cells and free cells. The highest biodegradation activity was obtained when the concentration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was 9 mg ml−1 and the saturation magnetization of magnetically immobilized cells was 11.08 emu g−1. Additionally, the recycling experiments demonstrated that the degradation activity of magnetically immobilized cells increased gradually during the eight recycles. These results support developing efficient biocatalysts using magnetically immobilized cells and provide a promising technique for improving biocatalysts used in the biodegradation of not only carbazole, but also other hazardous organic compounds. PMID:17827304

  4. Functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles for controlling the movement of immune cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    White, Ethan E.; Pai, Alex; Weng, Yiming; Suresh, Anil K.; van Haute, Desiree; Pailevanian, Torkom; Alizadeh, Darya; Hajimiri, Ali; Badie, Behnam; Berlin, Jacob M.

    2015-04-01

    Immunotherapy is currently being investigated for the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. The ability to control the location of immune cells during or following activation would represent a powerful new technique for this field. Targeted magnetic delivery is emerging as a technique for controlling cell movement and localization. Here we show that this technique can be extended to microglia, the primary phagocytic immune cells in the central nervous system. The magnetized microglia were generated by loading the cells with iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with CpG oligonucleotides, serving as a proof of principle that nanoparticles can be used to both deliver an immunostimulatory cargo to cells and to control the movement of the cells. The nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates are efficiently internalized, non-toxic, and immunostimulatory. We demonstrate that the in vitro migration of the adherent, loaded microglia can be controlled by an external magnetic field and that magnetically-induced migration is non-cytotoxic. In order to capture video of this magnetically-induced migration of loaded cells, a novel 3D-printed ``cell box'' was designed to facilitate our imaging application. Analysis of cell movement velocities clearly demonstrate increased cell velocities toward the magnet. These studies represent the initial step towards our final goal of using nanoparticles to both activate immune cells and to control their trafficking within the diseased brain.Immunotherapy is currently being investigated for the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. The ability to control the location of immune cells during or following activation would represent a powerful new technique for this field. Targeted magnetic delivery is emerging as a technique for controlling cell movement and localization. Here we show that this technique can be extended to microglia, the primary phagocytic immune cells in the central nervous system. The magnetized microglia were generated by loading the cells with iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with CpG oligonucleotides, serving as a proof of principle that nanoparticles can be used to both deliver an immunostimulatory cargo to cells and to control the movement of the cells. The nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates are efficiently internalized, non-toxic, and immunostimulatory. We demonstrate that the in vitro migration of the adherent, loaded microglia can be controlled by an external magnetic field and that magnetically-induced migration is non-cytotoxic. In order to capture video of this magnetically-induced migration of loaded cells, a novel 3D-printed ``cell box'' was designed to facilitate our imaging application. Analysis of cell movement velocities clearly demonstrate increased cell velocities toward the magnet. These studies represent the initial step towards our final goal of using nanoparticles to both activate immune cells and to control their trafficking within the diseased brain. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Transmission electron microscopy images of the particles, additional independent experiments for the NFκB activity and exocytosis assays, TEM images for the SPION untreated cells, bright field microscopy images of the cells alone in the presence and absence of magnet, images of the magnetic movement experiments at higher doses of SPION, full uncropped images of the post-migration LIVE/DEAD assay, and a video file of cell movement. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr04421a

  5. In vitro cytotoxicity of Selol-loaded magnetic nanocapsules against neoplastic cell lines under AC magnetic field activation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Falqueiro, A. M.; Siqueira-Moura, M. P.; Jardim, D. R.; Primo, F. L.; Morais, P. C.; Mosiniewicz-Szablewska, E.; Suchocki, P.; Tedesco, A. C.

    2012-04-01

    The goals of this study are to evaluate invitro compatibility of magnetic nanomaterials and their therapeutic potential against cancer cells. Highly stable ionic magnetic fluid sample (maghemite, γ-Fe2O3) and Selol were incorporated into polymeric nanocapsules by nanoprecipitation method. The cytotoxic effect of Selol-loaded magnetic nanocapsules was assessed on murine melanoma (B16-F10) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines following AC magnetic field application. The influence of different nanocapsules on cell viability was investigated by colorimetric MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. In the absence of AC magnetic field Selol-loaded magnetic nanocapsules, containing 100 µg/mL Selol plus 5 × 1012 particle/mL, showed antitumoral activity of about 50% on B16-F10 melanoma cells while OSCC carcinoma cells demonstrated drug resistance at all concentrations of Selol and magnetic fluid (range of 100-500 µg/mL Selol and 5 × 1012-2.5 × 1013 particle/mL). On the other hand, under AC applied fields (1 MHz and 40 Oe amplitude) B16-F10 cell viability was reduced down to 40.5% (±3.33) at the highest concentration of nanoencapsulated Selol. The major effect, however, was observed on OSCC cells since the cell viability drops down to about 33.3% (±0.38) under application of AC magnetic field. These findings clearly indicate that the Selol-loaded magnetic nanocapsules present different toxic effects on neoplastic cell lines. Further, the cytotoxic effect was maximized under AC magnetic field application on OSCC, which emphasizes the effectiveness of the magnetohyperthermia approach.

  6. Expression of single-chain Fv gene specific for gamma-seminoprotein by RTS and its biological activity identification.

    PubMed

    Han, Yuedong; Haun, Yi; Deng, Jinlan; Gao, Feng; Pan, Bifeng; Cui, Daxiang

    2006-01-01

    Fabricating a single-chain variable fragment specific for human seminoprotein is very important in antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy and NMR imaging for prostate cancer. Here a single-chain Fv specific for gamma-seminoprotein was expressed by RTS. Its activity and the efficiency of entry into prostate cancer cells are investigated by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining, as well as entry of conjugated magnetic beads into cells. Results showed that ScFv peptides specific for gamma-seminoprotein were successfully prepared, which can bind with the prostate cells specifically and can bring magnetic beads into prostate cancer cells within 15 min, the amount of magnetic beads inside prostate cancer cells increased as the culture time prolonged. ScFv-conjugated magnetic beads did not enter into control cells. In conclusion, the ScFv peptide against human gamma-seminoprotein with biological activity was successfully fabricated, which can take magnetic beads to prostate cancer cells specifically and not to the control cells. This ScFv peptide against human gamma-seminoprotein should be useful in improving the detection and therapy of prostate cancer at early stages and NMR imaging.

  7. Magnetic catechin-dextran conjugate as targeted therapeutic for pancreatic tumour cells.

    PubMed

    Vittorio, Orazio; Voliani, Valerio; Faraci, Paolo; Karmakar, Biswajit; Iemma, Francesca; Hampel, Silke; Kavallaris, Maria; Cirillo, Giuseppe

    2014-06-01

    Catechin-dextran conjugates have recently attracted a lot of attention due to their anticancer activity against a range of cancer cells. Magnetic nanoparticles have the ability to concentrate therapeutically important drugs due to their magnetic-spatial control and provide opportunities for targeted drug delivery. Enhancement of the anticancer efficiency of catechin-dextran conjugate by functionalisation with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Modification of the coating shell of commercial magnetic nanoparticles (Endorem) composed of dextran with the catechin-dextran conjugate. Catechin-dextran conjugated with Endorem (Endo-Cat) increased the intracellular concentration of the drug and it induced apoptosis in 98% of pancreatic tumour cells placed under magnetic field. The conjugation of catechin-dextran with Endorem enhances the anticancer activity of this drug and provides a new strategy for targeted drug delivery on tumour cells driven by magnetic field. The ability to spatially control the delivery of the catechin-dextran by magnetic field makes it a promising agent for further application in cancer therapy.

  8. Biodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene by Microbial Cells Coated with Magnetite Nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Shan, GuoBin; Xing, JianMin; Zhang, HuaiYing; Liu, HuiZhou

    2005-01-01

    Microbial cells of Pseudomonas delafieldii were coated with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles and then immobilized by external application of a magnetic field. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a coprecipitation method followed by modification with ammonium oleate. The surface-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles were monodispersed in an aqueous solution and did not precipitate in over 18 months. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the average size of the magnetic particles was found to be in the range from 10 to 15 nm. TEM cross section analysis of the cells showed further that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were for the most part strongly absorbed by the surfaces of the cells and coated the cells. The coated cells had distinct superparamagnetic properties. The magnetization (δs) was 8.39 emu · g−1. The coated cells not only had the same desulfurizing activity as free cells but could also be reused more than five times. Compared to cells immobilized on Celite, the cells coated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles had greater desulfurizing activity and operational stability. PMID:16085841

  9. Pulsed Magnetic Field Improves the Transport of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles through Cell Barriers

    PubMed Central

    Min, Kyoung Ah; Shin, Meong Cheol; Yu, Faquan; Yang, Meizhu; David, Allan E.; Yang, Victor C.; Rosania, Gus R.

    2013-01-01

    Understanding how a magnetic field affects the interaction of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with cells is fundamental to any potential downstream applications of MNPs as gene and drug delivery vehicles. Here, we present a quantitative analysis of how a pulsed magnetic field influences the manner in which MNPs interact with, and penetrate across a cell monolayer. Relative to a constant magnetic field, the rate of MNP uptake and transport across cell monolayers was enhanced by a pulsed magnetic field. MNP transport across cells was significantly inhibited at low temperature under both constant and pulsed magnetic field conditions, consistent with an active mechanism (i.e. endocytosis) mediating MNP transport. Microscopic observations and biochemical analysis indicated that, in a constant magnetic field, transport of MNPs across the cells was inhibited due to the formation of large (>2 μm) magnetically-induced MNP aggregates, which exceeded the size of endocytic vesicles. Thus, a pulsed magnetic field enhances the cellular uptake and transport of MNPs across cell barriers relative to a constant magnetic field by promoting accumulation while minimizing magnetically-induced MNP aggregates at the cell surface. PMID:23373613

  10. Using Magnets and Magnetic Beads to Dissect Signaling Pathways Activated by Mechanical Tension Applied to Cells

    PubMed Central

    Marjoram, R.J.; Guilluy, C; Burridge, K.

    2015-01-01

    Cellular tension has implications in normal biology and pathology. Membrane adhesion receptors serve as conduits for mechanotransduction that lead to cellular responses. Ligand-conjugated magnetic beads are a useful tool in the study of how cells sense and respond to tension. Here we detail methods for their use in applying tension to cells and strategies for analyzing the results. We demonstrate the methods by analyzing mechanotransduction through VE-cadherin on endothelial cells using both permanent magnets and magnetic tweezers. PMID:26427549

  11. Activation of Schwann cells in vitro by magnetic nanocomposites via applied magnetic field.

    PubMed

    Liu, Zhongyang; Huang, Liangliang; Liu, Liang; Luo, Beier; Liang, Miaomiao; Sun, Zhen; Zhu, Shu; Quan, Xin; Yang, Yafeng; Ma, Teng; Huang, Jinghui; Luo, Zhuojing

    2015-01-01

    Schwann cells (SCs) are attractive seed cells in neural tissue engineering, but their application is limited by attenuated biological activities and impaired functions with aging. Therefore, it is important to explore an approach to enhance the viability and biological properties of SCs. In the present study, a magnetic composite made of magnetically responsive magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and a biodegradable chitosan-glycerophosphate polymer were prepared and characterized. It was further explored whether such magnetic nanocomposites via applied magnetic fields would regulate SC biological activities. The magnetization of the magnetic nanocomposite was measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer. The compositional characterization of the magnetic nanocomposite was examined by Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray diffraction. The tolerance of SCs to the magnetic fields was tested by flow-cytometry assay. The proliferation of cells was examined by a 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine-labeling assay, a PrestoBlue assay, and a Live/Dead assay. Messenger ribonucleic acid of BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, and VEGF in SCs was assayed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The amount of BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, and VEGF secreted from SCs was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that magnetic nanocomposites containing 10% MNPs showed a cross-section diameter of 32.33±1.81 µm, porosity of 80.41%±0.72%, and magnetization of 5.691 emu/g at 8 kOe. The 10% MNP magnetic nanocomposites were able to support cell adhesion and spreading and further promote proliferation of SCs under magnetic field exposure. Interestingly, a magnetic field applied through the 10% MNP magnetic scaffold significantly increased the gene expression and protein secretion of BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, and VEGF. This work is the first stage in our understanding of how to precisely regulate the viability and biological properties of SCs in tissue-engineering grafts, which combined with additional molecular factors may lead to the development of new nerve grafts.

  12. Response of animal and vegetative cells to the effect of a typical magnetic storm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Talikina, M. G.; Izyumov, Yu. G.; Krylov, V. V.

    2013-12-01

    Experimentally reproduced fluctuations of a low-frequency magnetic field in a nanotesla range (magnetic storm) affect the mitosis of animals and vegetative cells. Action of this factor during twenty four hours leads to a significant increase in the proliferative activity of embryo cells in roach ( Rutilus rutilus L.) and meristem cells of onion rootlets ( Allium cepa). The clastogenic effect statistically confirmed only in the Allium test seems to reflect the species specificity of the response and higher sensitivity of the cell association of the onion meristem to magnetic storm.

  13. Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Controlling the Movement of Immune Cells

    PubMed Central

    White, Ethan E; Pai, Alex; Weng, Yiming; Suresh, Anil K.; Van Haute, Desiree; Pailevanian, Torkom; Alizadeh, Darya; Hajimiri, Ali; Badie, Behnam; Berlin, Jacob M.

    2015-01-01

    Immunotherapy is currently being investigated for the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. The ability to control the location of immune cells during or following activation would represent a powerful new technique for this field. Targeted magnetic delivery is emerging as a technique for controlling cell movement and localization. Here we show that this technique can be extended to microglia, the primary phagocytic immune cells in the central nervous system. The magnetized microglia were generated by loading the cells with iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with CpG oligonucleotides, serving as a proof of principle that nanoparticles can be used to both deliver an immunostimulatory cargo to cells and to control the movement of the cells. The nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates are efficiently internalized, non-toxic, and immunostimulatory. We demonstrate that the in vitro migration of the adherent, loaded microglia can be controlled by an external magnetic field and that magnetically-induced migration is non-cytotoxic. In order to capture video of this magnetically-induced migration of loaded cells, a novel 3D-printed “cell box” was designed to facilitate our imaging application. Analysis of cell movement velocities clearly demonstrate increased cell velocities toward the magnet. These studies represent the initial step towards our final goal of using nanoparticles to both activate immune cells and to control their trafficking within the diseased brain. PMID:25848983

  14. Functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles for controlling the movement of immune cells.

    PubMed

    White, Ethan E; Pai, Alex; Weng, Yiming; Suresh, Anil K; Van Haute, Desiree; Pailevanian, Torkom; Alizadeh, Darya; Hajimiri, Ali; Badie, Behnam; Berlin, Jacob M

    2015-05-07

    Immunotherapy is currently being investigated for the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. The ability to control the location of immune cells during or following activation would represent a powerful new technique for this field. Targeted magnetic delivery is emerging as a technique for controlling cell movement and localization. Here we show that this technique can be extended to microglia, the primary phagocytic immune cells in the central nervous system. The magnetized microglia were generated by loading the cells with iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with CpG oligonucleotides, serving as a proof of principle that nanoparticles can be used to both deliver an immunostimulatory cargo to cells and to control the movement of the cells. The nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugates are efficiently internalized, non-toxic, and immunostimulatory. We demonstrate that the in vitro migration of the adherent, loaded microglia can be controlled by an external magnetic field and that magnetically-induced migration is non-cytotoxic. In order to capture video of this magnetically-induced migration of loaded cells, a novel 3D-printed "cell box" was designed to facilitate our imaging application. Analysis of cell movement velocities clearly demonstrate increased cell velocities toward the magnet. These studies represent the initial step towards our final goal of using nanoparticles to both activate immune cells and to control their trafficking within the diseased brain.

  15. Application of magnetic carriers to two examples of quantitative cell analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Chen; Qian, Zhixi; Choi, Young Suk; David, Allan E.; Todd, Paul; Hanley, Thomas R.

    2017-04-01

    The use of magnetophoretic mobility as a surrogate for fluorescence intensity in quantitative cell analysis was investigated. The objectives of quantitative fluorescence flow cytometry include establishing a level of labeling for the setting of parameters in fluorescence activated cell sorters (FACS) and the determination of levels of uptake of fluorescently labeled substrates by living cells. Likewise, the objectives of quantitative magnetic cytometry include establishing a level of labeling for the setting of parameters in flowing magnetic cell sorters and the determination of levels of uptake of magnetically labeled substrates by living cells. The magnetic counterpart to fluorescence intensity is magnetophoretic mobility, defined as the velocity imparted to a suspended cell per unit of magnetic ponderomotive force. A commercial velocimeter available for making this measurement was used to demonstrate both applications. Cultured Gallus lymphoma cells were immunolabeled with commercial magnetic beads and shown to have adequate magnetophoretic mobility to be separated by a novel flowing magnetic separator. Phagocytosis of starch nanoparticles having magnetic cores by cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, a CHO line, was quantified on the basis of magnetophoretic mobility.

  16. Biological effects due to weak magnetic field on plants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Belyavskaya, N. A.

    2004-01-01

    Throughout the evolution process, Earth's magnetic field (MF, about 50 μT) was a natural component of the environment for living organisms. Biological objects, flying on planned long-term interplanetary missions, would experience much weaker magnetic fields, since galactic MF is known to be 0.1-1 nT. However, the role of weak magnetic fields and their influence on functioning of biological organisms are still insufficiently understood, and is actively studied. Numerous experiments with seedlings of different plant species placed in weak magnetic field have shown that the growth of their primary roots is inhibited during early germination stages in comparison with control. The proliferative activity and cell reproduction in meristem of plant roots are reduced in weak magnetic field. Cell reproductive cycle slows down due to the expansion of G 1 phase in many plant species (and of G 2 phase in flax and lentil roots), while other phases of cell cycle remain relatively stabile. In plant cells exposed to weak magnetic field, the functional activity of genome at early pre-replicate period is shown to decrease. Weak magnetic field causes intensification of protein synthesis and disintegration in plant roots. At ultrastructural level, changes in distribution of condensed chromatin and nucleolus compactization in nuclei, noticeable accumulation of lipid bodies, development of a lytic compartment (vacuoles, cytosegresomes and paramural bodies), and reduction of phytoferritin in plastids in meristem cells were observed in pea roots exposed to weak magnetic field. Mitochondria were found to be very sensitive to weak magnetic field: their size and relative volume in cells increase, matrix becomes electron-transparent, and cristae reduce. Cytochemical studies indicate that cells of plant roots exposed to weak magnetic field show Ca 2+ over-saturation in all organelles and in cytoplasm unlike the control ones. The data presented suggest that prolonged exposures of plants to weak magnetic field may cause different biological effects at the cellular, tissue and organ levels. They may be functionally related to systems that regulate plant metabolism including the intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis. However, our understanding of very complex fundamental mechanisms and sites of interactions between weak magnetic fields and biological systems is still incomplete and still deserve strong research efforts.

  17. Point-of-Care Assay of Telomerase Activity at Single-Cell Level via Gas Pressure Readout.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yanjun; Yang, Luzhu; Li, Baoxin; Yang, Chaoyong James; Jin, Yan

    2017-08-15

    Detection of telomerase activity at the single-cell level is one of the central challenges in cancer diagnostics and therapy. Herein, we describe a facile and reliable point-of-care testing (POCT) strategy for detection of telomerase activity via a portable pressure meter. Telomerase primer (TS) was immobilized onto the surface of magnetic beads (MBs), and then was elongated to a long single-stranded DNA by telomerase. The elongated (TTAGGG) n repeat unit hybridized with several short PtNP-functionalized complementary DNA (PtNPs-cDNA), which specifically enriched PtNPs onto the surfaces of magnetic beads (MBs), which were separated using a magnet. Then, nanoparticle-catalyzed gas-generation reaction converted telomerase activity into significant change in gas pressure. Because of the self-amplification of telomerase and enrichment by magnetic separation, the diluted telomerase equivalent to a single HeLa cell was facilely detected. More importantly, the telomerase in the lysate of 1 HeLa cell can be reliably detected by monitoring change in gas pressure, indicating that it is feasible and possible to study differences between individual cells. The difference in relative activity between different kinds of cancer cells was easily and sensitively studied. Study of inhibition of telomerase activity demonstrated that our method has great potential in screening of telomerase-targeted antitumor drugs as well as in clinical diagnosis.

  18. Temporal Modulation of Stem Cell Activity Using Magnetoactive Hydrogels.

    PubMed

    Abdeen, Amr A; Lee, Junmin; Bharadwaj, N Ashwin; Ewoldt, Randy H; Kilian, Kristopher A

    2016-10-01

    Cell activity is coordinated by dynamic interactions with the extracellular matrix, often through stimuli-mediated spatiotemporal stiffening and softening. Dynamic changes in mechanics occur in vivo through enzymatic or chemical means, processes which are challenging to reconstruct in cell culture materials. Here a magnetoactive hydrogel material formed by embedding magnetic particles in a hydrogel matrix is presented whereby elasticity can be modulated reversibly by attenuation of a magnetic field. Orders of magnitude change in elasticity using low magnetic fields are shown and reversibility of stiffening with simple permanent magnets is demonstrated. The broad applicability of this technique is demonstrated with two therapeutically relevant bioactivities in mesenchymal stem cells: secretion of proangiogenic molecules, and dynamic control of osteogenesis. The ability to reversibly stiffen cell culture materials across the full spectrum of soft tissue mechanics, using simple materials and commercially available permanent magnets, makes this approach viable for a broad range of laboratory environments. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  19. Cell-delivered magnetic nanoparticles caused hyperthermia-mediated increased survival in a murine pancreatic cancer model.

    PubMed

    Basel, Matthew T; Balivada, Sivasai; Wang, Hongwang; Shrestha, Tej B; Seo, Gwi Moon; Pyle, Marla; Abayaweera, Gayani; Dani, Raj; Koper, Olga B; Tamura, Masaaki; Chikan, Viktor; Bossmann, Stefan H; Troyer, Deryl L

    2012-01-01

    Using magnetic nanoparticles to absorb alternating magnetic field energy as a method of generating localized hyperthermia has been shown to be a potential cancer treatment. This report demonstrates a system that uses tumor homing cells to actively carry iron/iron oxide nanoparticles into tumor tissue for alternating magnetic field treatment. Paramagnetic iron/ iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and loaded into RAW264.7 cells (mouse monocyte/ macrophage-like cells), which have been shown to be tumor homing cells. A murine model of disseminated peritoneal pancreatic cancer was then generated by intraperitoneal injection of Pan02 cells. After tumor development, monocyte/macrophage-like cells loaded with iron/ iron oxide nanoparticles were injected intraperitoneally and allowed to migrate into the tumor. Three days after injection, mice were exposed to an alternating magnetic field for 20 minutes to cause the cell-delivered nanoparticles to generate heat. This treatment regimen was repeated three times. A survival study demonstrated that this system can significantly increase survival in a murine pancreatic cancer model, with an average post-tumor insertion life expectancy increase of 31%. This system has the potential to become a useful method for specifically and actively delivering nanoparticles for local hyperthermia treatment of cancer.

  20. Label-free density difference amplification-based cell sorting.

    PubMed

    Song, Jihwan; Song, Minsun; Kang, Taewook; Kim, Dongchoul; Lee, Luke P

    2014-11-01

    The selective cell separation is a critical step in fundamental life sciences, translational medicine, biotechnology, and energy harvesting. Conventional cell separation methods are fluorescent activated cell sorting and magnetic-activated cell sorting based on fluorescent probes and magnetic particles on cell surfaces. Label-free cell separation methods such as Raman-activated cell sorting, electro-physiologically activated cell sorting, dielectric-activated cell sorting, or inertial microfluidic cell sorting are, however, limited when separating cells of the same kind or cells with similar sizes and dielectric properties, as well as similar electrophysiological phenotypes. Here we report a label-free density difference amplification-based cell sorting (dDACS) without using any external optical, magnetic, electrical forces, or fluidic activations. The conceptual microfluidic design consists of an inlet, hydraulic jump cavity, and multiple outlets. Incoming particles experience gravity, buoyancy, and drag forces in the separation chamber. The height and distance that each particle can reach in the chamber are different and depend on its density, thus allowing for the separation of particles into multiple outlets. The separation behavior of the particles, based on the ratio of the channel heights of the inlet and chamber and Reynolds number has been systematically studied. Numerical simulation reveals that the difference between the heights of only lighter particles with densities close to that of water increases with increasing the ratio of the channel heights, while decreasing Reynolds number can amplify the difference in the heights between the particles considered irrespective of their densities.

  1. On-chip cell sorting via patterned magnetic traps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Byvank, Tom; Prikockis, Michael; Chen, Aaron; Miller, Brandon; Chalmers, Jeffrey; Sooryakumar, Ratnasingham

    2015-03-01

    Due to their importance in research for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, numerous schemes have been developed to sort rare cell populations, e.g., circulating tumor cells (CTCs), from a larger ensemble of cells. Here, we improve upon a previously developed microfluidic device (Lab Chip 13, 1172, (2013)) to increase throughput and sorting purity of magnetically labeled cells. The separation mechanism involves controlling magnetic forces by manipulating the magnetic domain structures of embedded permalloy microdisks with weak external fields. These forces move labeled cells from the input flow stream into an adjacent buffer flow stream. Such magnetically activated transfer separates the magnetic entities from their non-magnetic counterparts as the two flow streams split apart and move toward their respective outputs. Purity of the magnetic output is modulated by the withdrawal rate of the non-magnetic output relative to the inputs. A proof of concept shows that CTCs from metastatic breast cancer patients can be sorted, recovered from the device, and confirmed as CTCs using separate immunofluorescence staining and analysis. With further optimizations, the channel could become a useful device for high purity final sorting of enriched patient cell samples.

  2. A novel integration system of magnetically immobilized cells and a pair of graphite plate-stainless iron mesh electrodes for the bioremediation of coking wastewater.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Bei; Tan, Liang; Ning, Shuxiang; Shi, Shengnan

    2016-09-01

    Magnetically immobilized cells of Comamonas sp. JB coupling with electrode reaction was developed to enhance the treatment efficiency of coking wastewater containing phenol, carbazole (CA), dibenzofuran (DBF), and dibenzothiophene (DBT). The pair of graphite plate-stainless iron mesh electrodes was chosen as the most suitable electrodes. Magnetically immobilized cells coupling with graphite plate-stainless iron mesh electrodes (coupling system) exhibited high degradation activity for all the compounds, which were significantly higher than the sum by single magnetically immobilized cells and electrode reaction at the optimal voltage. Recycling experiments demonstrated that the degradation activity of coupling system increased gradually during eight recycles, indicating that there was a coupling effect between the biodegradation and electrode reaction. Phenol hydroxylase and qPCR assays confirmed that appropriate electrical stimulation could improve phenol hydroxylase activity and promote cells growth. Toxicity assessment suggested the treatment of the coking wastewater by coupling system led to less toxicity than untreated wastewater. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Magnetic fields applied to collagen-coated ferric oxide beads induce stretch-activated Ca2+ flux in fibroblasts.

    PubMed

    Glogauer, M; Ferrier, J; McCulloch, C A

    1995-11-01

    The ability to apply controlled forces to the cell membrane may enable elucidation of the mechanisms and pathways involved in signal transduction in response to applied physical stimuli. We have developed a magnetic particle-electromagnet model that allows the application of controlled forces to the plasma membrane of substrate-attached fibroblasts. The system allows applied forces to be controlled by the magnitude of the magnetic field and by the surface area of cell membrane covered with collagen-coated ferric beads. Analysis by single-cell ratio fluorimetry of fura 2-loaded cells demonstrated large calcium transients (50-300 nM) in response to the magnetic force applications. Experiments using either the stretch-activated channel blocker gadolinium chloride or ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid to eliminate external calcium ions, or addition of extracellular manganese ions, indicated that there was a calcium influx through putative stretch-activated channels. The probability of a calcium influx in single cells was increased by higher surface bead loading and the degree of cell spreading. Depolymerization of actin filaments by cytochalasin D increased the amplitude of calcium response twofold. The regulation of calcium flux by filamentous actin content and by cell spreading indicates a possible modulatory role for the cytoskeleton in channel sensitivity. Magnetic force application to beads on single cells provides a controlled model to study mechanisms and heterogeneity in physical force stimulation of cation-permeable channels.

  4. A magnetic switch for the control of cell death signalling in in vitro and in vivo systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cho, Mi Hyeon; Lee, Eun Jung; Son, Mina; Lee, Jae-Hyun; Yoo, Dongwon; Kim, Ji-Wook; Park, Seung Woo; Shin, Jeon-Soo; Cheon, Jinwoo

    2012-12-01

    The regulation of cellular activities in a controlled manner is one of the most challenging issues in fields ranging from cell biology to biomedicine. Nanoparticles have the potential of becoming useful tools for controlling cell signalling pathways in a space and time selective fashion. Here, we have developed magnetic nanoparticles that turn on apoptosis cell signalling by using a magnetic field in a remote and non-invasive manner. The magnetic switch consists of zinc-doped iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Zn0.4Fe2.6O4), conjugated with a targeting antibody for death receptor 4 (DR4) of DLD-1 colon cancer cells. The magnetic switch, in its On mode when a magnetic field is applied to aggregate magnetic nanoparticle-bound DR4s, promotes apoptosis signalling pathways. We have also demonstrated that the magnetic switch is operable at the micrometre scale and that it can be applied in an in vivo system where apoptotic morphological changes of zebrafish are successfully induced.

  5. Synthetic and biogenic magnetite nanoparticles for tracking of stem cells and dendritic cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schwarz, Sebastian; Fernandes, Fabiana; Sanroman, Laura; Hodenius, Michael; Lang, Claus; Himmelreich, Uwe; Schmitz-Rode, Thomas; Schueler, Dirk; Hoehn, Mathias; Zenke, Martin; Hieronymus, Thomas

    2009-05-01

    Accurate delivery of cells to target organs is critical for success of cell-based therapies with stem cells or immune cells such as antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC). Labeling with contrast agents before implantation provides a powerful means for monitoring cellular migration using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, we investigated the uptake of fully synthesized or bacterial magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into hematopoietic Flt3 + stem cells and DC from mouse bone marrow. We show that (i) uptake of both synthetic and biogenic nanoparticles into cells endow magnetic activity and (ii) low numbers of MNP-loaded cells are readily detected by MRI.

  6. 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields do not affect human lymphocyte activation and proliferation in vitro

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Capri, Miriam; Mesirca, Pietro; Remondini, Daniel; Carosella, Simona; Pasi, Sara; Castellani, Gastone; Franceschi, Claudio; Bersani, Ferdinando

    2004-12-01

    In the last 30 years, an increasing public concern about the possible harmful effects of electromagnetic fields generated by power lines and domestic appliances has pushed the scientific community to search for a correct and comprehensive answer to this problem. In this work the effects of exposure to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields, with a magnetic flux density of 0.05 mT and 2.5 mT (peak values), were studied on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from healthy young and elderly donors. Cell activation and proliferation were investigated by using flow cytometry techniques and 3H-TdR incorporation assays, respectively. The results obtained indicated that exposure to the fields altered neither DNA synthesis nor the capacity of lymphocytes to enter the activation phase and progress into the cell cycle. Thus, the conclusions are that two important functional phases of human lymphocytes, such as activation and proliferation, are not affected by exposures to 50 Hz magnetic fields similar to those found under power lines.

  7. Bioremediation of Petrochemical Wastewater Containing BTEX Compounds by a New Immobilized Bacterium Comamonas sp. JB in Magnetic Gellan Gum.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Bei; Zhou, Zunchun; Dong, Ying; Wang, Bai; Jiang, Jingwei; Guan, Xiaoyan; Gao, Shan; Yang, Aifu; Chen, Zhong; Sun, Hongjuan

    2015-05-01

    In this study, we investigated the bioremediation of petrochemical wastewater containing BTEX compounds by immobilized Comamonas sp. JB cells. Three kinds of magnetic nanoparticles were evaluated as immobilization supports for strain JB. After comparison with Fe3O4 and a-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, r-Fe2O3 nanoparticle was selected as the optimal immobilization support. The highest biodegradation activity of r-Fe2O3-magnetically immobilized cells was obtained when the concentration of r-Fe2O3 nanoparticle was 120 mg L(-1). Additionally, the recycling experiments demonstrated that the degradation activity of r-Fe2O3-magnetically immobilized cells was still high and led to less toxicity than untreated wastewater during the eight recycles. qPCR suggested the concentration of strain JB in r-Fe2O3-magnetically immobilized cells was evidently increased after eight cycles of degradation experiments. These results supported developing efficient biocatalysts using r-Fe2O3-magnetically immobilized cells and provided a promising technique for improving biocatalysts used in the bioremediation of not only petrochemical wastewater but also other hazardous wastewater.

  8. Light irradiation helps magnetotactic bacteria eliminate intracellular reactive oxygen species.

    PubMed

    Li, Kefeng; Wang, Pingping; Chen, Chuanfang; Chen, Changyou; Li, Lulu; Song, Tao

    2017-09-01

    Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) demonstrate photoresponse. However, little is known about the biological significance of this behaviour. Magnetosomes exhibit peroxidase-like activity and can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Magnetosomes extracted from the Magnetospirillum magneticum strain AMB-1 show enhanced peroxidase-like activity under illumination. The present study investigated the effects of light irradiation on nonmagnetic (without magnetosomes) and magnetic (with magnetosomes) AMB-1 cells. Results showed that light irradiation did not affect the growth of nonmagnetic and magnetic cells but significantly increased magnetosome synthesis and reduced intracellular ROS level in magnetic cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyse the expression level of magnetosome formation-associated genes (mamA, mms6, mms13 and mmsF) and stress-related genes (recA, oxyR, SOD, amb0664 and amb2684). Results showed that light irradiation upregulated the expression of mms6, mms13 and mmsF. Furthermore, light irradiation upregulated the expression of stress-related genes in nonmagnetic cells but downregulated them in magnetic cells. Additionally, magnetic cells exhibited stronger phototactic behaviour than nonmagnetic ones. These results suggested that light irradiation could heighten the ability of MTB to eliminate intracellular ROS and help them adapt to lighted environments. This phenomenon may be related to the enhanced peroxidase-like activity of magnetosomes under light irradiation. © 2017 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Cell-delivered magnetic nanoparticles caused hyperthermia-mediated increased survival in a murine pancreatic cancer model

    PubMed Central

    Basel, Matthew T; Balivada, Sivasai; Wang, Hongwang; Shrestha, Tej B; Seo, Gwi Moon; Pyle, Marla; Abayaweera, Gayani; Dani, Raj; Koper, Olga B; Tamura, Masaaki; Chikan, Viktor; Bossmann, Stefan H; Troyer, Deryl L

    2012-01-01

    Using magnetic nanoparticles to absorb alternating magnetic field energy as a method of generating localized hyperthermia has been shown to be a potential cancer treatment. This report demonstrates a system that uses tumor homing cells to actively carry iron/iron oxide nanoparticles into tumor tissue for alternating magnetic field treatment. Paramagnetic iron/ iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and loaded into RAW264.7 cells (mouse monocyte/ macrophage-like cells), which have been shown to be tumor homing cells. A murine model of disseminated peritoneal pancreatic cancer was then generated by intraperitoneal injection of Pan02 cells. After tumor development, monocyte/macrophage-like cells loaded with iron/ iron oxide nanoparticles were injected intraperitoneally and allowed to migrate into the tumor. Three days after injection, mice were exposed to an alternating magnetic field for 20 minutes to cause the cell-delivered nanoparticles to generate heat. This treatment regimen was repeated three times. A survival study demonstrated that this system can significantly increase survival in a murine pancreatic cancer model, with an average post-tumor insertion life expectancy increase of 31%. This system has the potential to become a useful method for specifically and actively delivering nanoparticles for local hyperthermia treatment of cancer. PMID:22287840

  10. Composite particles formed by complexation of poly(methacrylic acid) - stabilized magnetic fluid with chitosan: Magnetic material for bioapplications.

    PubMed

    Safarik, Ivo; Stepanek, Miroslav; Uchman, Mariusz; Slouf, Miroslav; Baldikova, Eva; Nydlova, Leona; Pospiskova, Kristyna; Safarikova, Mirka

    2016-10-01

    A simple procedure for the synthesis of magnetic fluid (ferrofluid) stabilized by poly(methacrylic acid) has been developed. This ferrofluid was used to prepare a novel type of magnetically responsive chitosan-based composite material. Both ferrofluid and magnetic chitosan composite were characterized by a combination of microscopy (optical microscopy, TEM, SEM), scattering (static and dynamic light scattering, SANS) and spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Magnetic chitosan was found to be a perspective material for various bioapplications, especially as a magnetic carrier for immobilization of enzymes and cells. Lipase from Candida rugosa was covalently attached after cross-linking and activation of chitosan using glutaraldehyde. Baker's yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were incorporated into the chitosan composite during its preparation; both biocatalysts were active after reaction with appropriate substrates. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Force dependent internalization of magnetic nanoparticles results in highly loaded endothelial cells for use as potential therapy delivery vectors.

    PubMed

    MacDonald, Cristin; Barbee, Kenneth; Polyak, Boris

    2012-05-01

    To investigate the kinetics, mechanism and extent of MNP loading into endothelial cells and the effect of this loading on cell function. MNP uptake was examined under field on/off conditions, utilizing varying magnetite concentration MNPs. MNP-loaded cell viability and functional integrity was assessed using metabolic respiration, cell proliferation and migration assays. MNP uptake in endothelial cells significantly increased under the influence of a magnetic field versus non-magnetic conditions. Larger magnetite density of the MNPs led to a higher MNP internalization by cells under application of a magnetic field without compromising cellular respiration activity. Two-dimensional migration assays at no field showed that higher magnetite loading resulted in greater cell migration rates. In a three-dimensional migration assay under magnetic field, the migration rate of MNP-loaded cells was more than twice that of unloaded cells and was comparable to migration stimulated by a serum gradient. Our results suggest that endothelial cell uptake of MNPs is a force dependent process. The in vitro assays determined that cell health is not adversely affected by high MNP loadings, allowing these highly magnetically responsive cells to be potentially beneficial therapy (gene, drug or cell) delivery systems.

  12. Quantitative Magnetic Separation of Particles and Cells using Gradient Magnetic Ratcheting

    PubMed Central

    Murray, Coleman; Pao, Edward; Tseng, Peter; Aftab, Shayan; Kulkarni, Rajan; Rettig, Matthew; Di Carlo, Dino

    2016-01-01

    Extraction of rare target cells from biosamples is enabling for life science research. Traditional rare cell separation techniques, such as magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS), are robust but perform coarse, qualitative separations based on surface antigen expression. We report a quantitative magnetic separation technology using high-force magnetic ratcheting over arrays of magnetically soft micro-pillars with gradient spacing, and use the system to separate and concentrate magnetic beads based on iron oxide content (IOC) and cells based on surface expression. The system consists of a microchip of permalloy micro-pillar arrays with increasing lateral pitch and a mechatronic device to generate a cycling magnetic-field. Particles with higher IOC separate and equilibrate along the miro-pillar array at larger pitches. We develop a semi-analytical model that predicts behavior for particles and cells. Using the system, LNCaP cells were separated based on the bound quantity of 1μm anti-EpCAM particles as a metric for expression. The ratcheting cytometry system was able to resolve a ±13 bound particle differential, successfully distinguishing LNCaP from PC3 populations based on EpCAM expression, correlating with flow cytometry analysis. As a proof of concept, EpCAM-labeled cells from patient blood were isolated with 74% purity, demonstrating potential towards a quantitative magnetic separation instrument. PMID:26890496

  13. Novel platform for minimizing cell loss on separation process: Droplet-based magnetically activated cell separator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Youngho; Hong, Su; Lee, Sang Ho; Lee, Kangsun; Yun, Seok; Kang, Yuri; Paek, Kyeong-Kap; Ju, Byeong-Kwon; Kim, Byungkyu

    2007-07-01

    To reduce the problem of cell loss due to adhesion, one of the basic phenomena in microchannel, we proposed the droplet-based magnetically activated cell separator (DMACS). Based on the platform of the DMACS—which consists of permanent magnets, a coverslip with a circle-shaped boundary, and an injection tube—we could collect magnetically (CD45)-labeled (positive) cells with high purity and minimize cell loss due to adhesion. To compare separation efficiency between the MACS and the DMACS, the total number of cells before and after separation with both the separators was counted by flow cytometry. We could find that the number (3241/59940) of cells lost in the DMACS is much less than that (22360/59940) in the MACS while the efficiency of cell separation in the DMACS (96.07%) is almost the same as that in the MACS (96.72%). Practically, with fluorescent images, it was visually confirmed that the statistical data are reliable. From the viability test by using Hoechst 33 342, it was also demonstrated that there was no cell damage on a gas-liquid interface. Conclusively, DMACS will be a powerful tool to separate rare cells and applicable as a separator, key component of lab-on-a-chip.

  14. Preparation of poly-L-lysine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and their influence on viability of cancer cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khmara, I.; Koneracka, M.; Kubovcikova, M.; Zavisova, V.; Antal, I.; Csach, K.; Kopcansky, P.; Vidlickova, I.; Csaderova, L.; Pastorekova, S.; Zatovicova, M.

    2017-04-01

    This study was aimed at development of biocompatible amino-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as carriers of specific antibodies able to detect and/or target cancer cells. Poly-L-lysine (PLL)-modified magnetic nanoparticle samples with different PLL/Fe3O4 content were prepared and tested to define the optimal PLL/Fe3O4 weight ratio. The samples were characterized for particle size and morphology (SEM, TEM and DLS), and surface properties (zeta potential measurements). The optimal PLL/Fe3O4 weight ratio of 1.0 based on both zeta potential and DLS measurements was in agreement with the UV/VIS measurements. Magnetic nanoparticles with the optimal PLL content were conjugated with antibody specific for the cancer biomarker carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), which is induced by hypoxia, a physiologic stress present in solid tumors and linked with aggressive tumor behavior. CA IX is localized on the cell surface with the antibody-binding epitope facing the extracellular space and is therefore suitable for antibody-based targeting of tumor cells. Here we showed that PLL/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles exhibit cytotoxic activities in a cell type-dependent manner and bind to cells expressing CA IX when conjugated with the CA IX-specific antibody. These data support further investigations of the CA IX antibody-conjugated, magnetic field-guided/activated nanoparticles as tools in anticancer strategies.

  15. Quantitative Magnetic Separation of Particles and Cells Using Gradient Magnetic Ratcheting.

    PubMed

    Murray, Coleman; Pao, Edward; Tseng, Peter; Aftab, Shayan; Kulkarni, Rajan; Rettig, Matthew; Di Carlo, Dino

    2016-04-13

    Extraction of rare target cells from biosamples is enabling for life science research. Traditional rare cell separation techniques, such as magnetic activated cell sorting, are robust but perform coarse, qualitative separations based on surface antigen expression. A quantitative magnetic separation technology is reported using high-force magnetic ratcheting over arrays of magnetically soft micropillars with gradient spacing, and the system is used to separate and concentrate magnetic beads based on iron oxide content (IOC) and cells based on surface expression. The system consists of a microchip of permalloy micropillar arrays with increasing lateral pitch and a mechatronic device to generate a cycling magnetic field. Particles with higher IOC separate and equilibrate along the miropillar array at larger pitches. A semi-analytical model is developed that predicts behavior for particles and cells. Using the system, LNCaP cells are separated based on the bound quantity of 1 μm anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) particles as a metric for expression. The ratcheting cytometry system is able to resolve a ±13 bound particle differential, successfully distinguishing LNCaP from PC3 populations based on EpCAM expression, correlating with flow cytometry analysis. As a proof-of-concept, EpCAM-labeled cells from patient blood are isolated with 74% purity, demonstrating potential toward a quantitative magnetic separation instrument. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  16. Magnetic responsive hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds construction for bone defect reparation.

    PubMed

    Zeng, Xiao Bo; Hu, Hao; Xie, Li Qin; Lan, Fang; Jiang, Wen; Wu, Yao; Gu, Zhong Wei

    2012-01-01

    In recent years, interest in magnetic biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering has increased considerably. A type of magnetic scaffold composed of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and hydroxyapatite (HA) for bone repair has been developed by our research group. In this study, to investigate the influence of the MNP content (in the scaffolds) on the cell behaviors and the interactions between the magnetic scaffold and the exterior magnetic field, a series of MNP-HA magnetic scaffolds with different MNP contents (from 0.2% to 2%) were fabricated by immersing HA scaffold into MNP colloid. ROS 17/2.8 and MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the scaffolds in vitro, with and without an exterior magnetic field, respectively. The cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation were evaluated via scanning electron microscopy; confocal laser scanning microscopy; and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), alkaline phosphatase, and bone gla protein activity tests. The results demonstrated the positive influence of the magnetic scaffolds on cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Further, a higher amount of MNPs on the magnetic scaffolds led to more significant stimulation. The magnetic scaffold can respond to the exterior magnetic field and engender some synergistic effect to intensify the stimulating effect of a magnetic field to the proliferation and differentiation of cells.

  17. Biodegradable Chitosan Magnetic Nanoparticle Carriers for Sub-Cellular Targeting Delivery of Artesunate for Efficient Treatment of Breast Cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Subramanian, Natesan; Abimanyu, Sugumaran; Vinoth, Jeevanesan; Sekar, Ponnusamy Chandra

    2010-12-01

    Artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, the active principle extracted from Artemisia annua. It possesses good anti-proliferative activity and anti-angiogenic activity with very low toxicity to normal healthy cells. The drawback of most cancer drugs is their inability to accumulate selectively in the cancerous cells. So, large quantities of doses have to be administered to get the required therapeutic concentration in the target site and it resulted in many serious side effects due to the exposure of healthy cells to higher concentrations of cytotoxic drugs. The problem may be solved by selectively and quantitatively accumulating the drug at target site using magnetic nanoparticles guided by an externally applied magnetic field. A modest attempt has been made in this present study, the artesunate magnetic nanoparticle was successfully formulated using two forms of chitosan and evaluated for its in-vitro characteristics like surface morphology, particle size and distribution, zeta potential, magnetic susceptibility, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity and in-vitro drug release. The synthesized magnetite size was 73 nm and the size of developed magnetic nanoparticles of artesunate was in the range of 90 to 575 nm. Acetic acid soluble chitosan at low concentration exhibit highest encapsulation efficiency and drug loading whereas increase in water soluble chitosan concentration increases the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading in formulations. The developed chitosan magnetic nanoparticles of artesunate shows better release characteristics and may be screened for its in-vivo breast cancer activity.

  18. Force Dependent Internalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles Results in Highly Loaded Endothelial Cells for Use as Potential Therapy Delivery Vectors

    PubMed Central

    MacDonald, Cristin; Barbee, Kenneth

    2015-01-01

    Purpose To investigate the kinetics, mechanism and extent of MNP loading into endothelial cells and the effect of this loading on cell function. Methods MNP uptake was examined under field on/off conditions, utilizing varying magnetite concentration MNPs. MNP-loaded cell viability and functional integrity was assessed using metabolic respiration, cell proliferation and migration assays. Results MNP uptake in endothelial cells significantly increased under the influence of a magnetic field versus non-magnetic conditions. Larger magnetite density of the MNPs led to a higher MNP internalization by cells under application of a magnetic field without compromising cellular respiration activity. Two-dimensional migration assays at no field showed that higher magnetite loading resulted in greater cell migration rates. In a three-dimensional migration assay under magnetic field, the migration rate of MNP-loaded cells was more than twice that of unloaded cells and was comparable to migration stimulated by a serum gradient. Conclusions Our results suggest that endothelial cell uptake of MNPs is a force dependent process. The in vitro assays determined that cell health is not adversely affected by high MNP loadings, allowing these highly magnetically responsive cells to be potentially beneficial therapy (gene, drug or cell) delivery systems. PMID:22234617

  19. Stem cell-based gene therapy activated using magnetic hyperthermia to enhance the treatment of cancer

    PubMed Central

    Yin, Perry T.; Shah, Shreyas; Pasquale, Nicholas J.; Garbuzenko, Olga B.; Minko, Tamara; Lee, Ki-Bum

    2015-01-01

    Stem cell-based gene therapies, wherein stem cells are genetically engineered to express therapeutic molecules, have shown tremendous potential for cancer applications owing to their innate ability to home to tumors. However, traditional stem cell-based gene therapies are hampered by our current inability to control when the therapeutic genes are actually turned on, thereby resulting in detrimental side effects. Here, we report the novel application of magnetic core-shell nanoparticles for the dual purpose of delivering and activating a heat-inducible gene vector that encodes TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs). By combining the tumor tropism of the AD-MSCs with the spatiotemporal MCNP-based delivery and activation of TRAIL expression, this platform provides an attractive means with which to enhance our control over the activation of stem cell-based gene therapies. In particular, we found that these engineered AD-MSCs retained their innate ability to proliferate, differentiate, and, most importantly, home to tumors, making them ideal cellular carriers. Moreover, exposure of the engineered AD-MSCS to mild magnetic hyperthermia resulted in the selective expression of TRAIL from the engineered AD-MSCs and, as a result, induced significant ovarian cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo. PMID:26720500

  20. Stem cell-based gene therapy activated using magnetic hyperthermia to enhance the treatment of cancer.

    PubMed

    Yin, Perry T; Shah, Shreyas; Pasquale, Nicholas J; Garbuzenko, Olga B; Minko, Tamara; Lee, Ki-Bum

    2016-03-01

    Stem cell-based gene therapies, wherein stem cells are genetically engineered to express therapeutic molecules, have shown tremendous potential for cancer applications owing to their innate ability to home to tumors. However, traditional stem cell-based gene therapies are hampered by our current inability to control when the therapeutic genes are actually turned on, thereby resulting in detrimental side effects. Here, we report the novel application of magnetic core-shell nanoparticles for the dual purpose of delivering and activating a heat-inducible gene vector that encodes TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs). By combining the tumor tropism of the AD-MSCs with the spatiotemporal MCNP-based delivery and activation of TRAIL expression, this platform provides an attractive means with which to enhance our control over the activation of stem cell-based gene therapies. In particular, we found that these engineered AD-MSCs retained their innate ability to proliferate, differentiate, and, most importantly, home to tumors, making them ideal cellular carriers. Moreover, exposure of the engineered AD-MSCS to mild magnetic hyperthermia resulted in the selective expression of TRAIL from the engineered AD-MSCs and, as a result, induced significant ovarian cancer cell death in vitro and in vivo. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. PMAA-stabilized ferrofluid/chitosan/yeast composite for bioapplications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baldikova, Eva; Prochazkova, Jitka; Stepanek, Miroslav; Hajduova, Jana; Pospiskova, Kristyna; Safarikova, Mirka; Safarik, Ivo

    2017-04-01

    A simple, one-pot process for the preparation of magnetically responsive yeast-based biocatalysts was developed. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis and Kluyveromyces lactis cells were successfully incorporated into chitosan gel magnetically modified with poly(methacrylic acid)-stabilized magnetic fluid (PMAA-FF) during its formation. Magnetic PMAA-FF/chitosan/yeast composites were efficiently employed for invert sugar production. The dependence of invertase activity on used yeast, amount of magnetic biocatalyst, agitation time and after reuse was studied in detail. The tested magnetic biocatalysts retained at least 69% of their initial activity after 8 reuse cycles.

  2. Magnetic Labeling of Activated Microglia in Experimental Gliomas1

    PubMed Central

    Fleige, Gerrit; Nolte, Christiane; Synowitz, Michael; Seeberger, Florian; Kettenmann, Helmut; Zimmer, Claus

    2001-01-01

    Abstract Microglia, as intrinsic immunoeffector cells of the central nervous system (CNS), play a very sensitive, crucial role in the response to almost any brain pathology where they are activated to a phagocytic state. Based on the characteristic features of activated microglia, we investigated whether these cells can be visualized with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxides (USPIOs). The hypothesis of this study was that MR microglia visualization could not only reveal the extent of the tumor, but also allow for assessing the status of immunologic defense. Using USPIOs in cell culture experiments and in a rat glioma model, we showed that microglia can be labeled magnetically. Labeled microglia are detected by confocal microscopy within and around tumors in a typical border-like pattern. Quantitative in vitro studies revealed that microglia internalize amounts of USPIOs that are significantly higher than those incorporated by tumor cells and astrocytes. Labeled microglia can be detected and quantified with MRI in cell phantoms, and the extent of the tumor can be seen in glioma-bearing rats in vivo. We conclude that magnetic labeling of microglia provides a potential tool for MRI of gliomas, which reflects tumor morphology precisely. Furthermore, the results suggest that MRI may yield functional data on the immunologic reaction of the CNS. PMID:11774031

  3. HAI-178 antibody-conjugated fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles for targeted imaging and simultaneous therapy of gastric cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Can; Bao, Chenchen; Liang, Shujing; Zhang, Lingxia; Fu, Hualin; Wang, Yutian; Wang, Kan; Li, Chao; Deng, Min; Liao, Qiande; Ni, Jian; Cui, Daxiang

    2014-05-01

    The successful development of safe and highly effective nanoprobes for targeted imaging and simultaneous therapy of in vivo gastric cancer is a great challenge. Herein we reported for the first time that anti-α-subunit of ATP synthase antibody, HAI-178 monoclonal antibody-conjugated fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles, was successfully used for targeted imaging and simultaneous therapy of in vivo gastric cancer. A total of 172 specimens of gastric cancer tissues were collected, and the expression of α-subunit of ATP synthase in gastric cancer tissues was investigated by immunohistochemistry method. Fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles were prepared and conjugated with HAI-178 monoclonal antibody, and the resultant HAI-178 antibody-conjugated fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles (HAI-178-FMNPs) were co-incubated with gastric cancer MGC803 cells and gastric mucous GES-1 cells. Gastric cancer-bearing nude mice models were established, were injected with prepared HAI-178-FMNPs via tail vein, and were imaged by magnetic resonance imaging and small animal fluorescent imaging system. The results showed that the α-subunit of ATP synthase exhibited high expression in 94.7% of the gastric cancer tissues. The prepared HAI-178-FMNPs could target actively MGC803 cells, realized fluorescent imaging and magnetic resonance imaging of in vivo gastric cancer, and actively inhibited growth of gastric cancer cells. In conclusion, HAI-178 antibody-conjugated fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles have a great potential in applications such as targeted imaging and simultaneous therapy of in vivo early gastric cancer cells in the near future.

  4. Purification of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural precursors using magnetic activated cell sorting.

    PubMed

    Rodrigues, Gonçalo M C; Fernandes, Tiago G; Rodrigues, Carlos A V; Cabral, Joaquim M S; Diogo, Maria Margarida

    2015-01-01

    Neural precursor (NP) cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and their neuronal progeny, will play an important role in disease modeling, drug screening tests, central nervous system development studies, and may even become valuable for regenerative medicine treatments. Nonetheless, it is challenging to obtain homogeneous and synchronously differentiated NP populations from hiPSCs, and after neural commitment many pluripotent stem cells remain in the differentiated cultures. Here, we describe an efficient and simple protocol to differentiate hiPSC-derived NPs in 12 days, and we include a final purification stage where Tra-1-60+ pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are removed using magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS), leaving the NP population nearly free of PSCs.

  5. Triggering the apoptosis of targeted human renal cancer cells by the vibration of anisotropic magnetic particles attached to the cell membrane.

    PubMed

    Leulmi, Selma; Chauchet, Xavier; Morcrette, Melissa; Ortiz, Guillermo; Joisten, Hélène; Sabon, Philippe; Livache, Thierry; Hou, Yanxia; Carrière, Marie; Lequien, Stéphane; Dieny, Bernard

    2015-10-14

    Cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy, and the side effects encountered seriously limit the effectiveness of treatments. For these reasons, the search for alternative therapies that target cancer cells without affecting healthy tissues is currently one of the most active areas of research on cancer. The present study focuses on a recently proposed approach for cancer cell destruction based on the targeted triggering of cancer cell spontaneous death through the mechanical vibration of anisotropic magnetic micro/nanoparticles attached to the cell membranes at low frequencies (∼20 Hz) and in weak magnetic fields (∼30 mT). The study was conducted in vitro, on human renal cancer cells with superparamagnetic-like particles. Three types of such particles made of NiFe or magnetite were prepared and characterized (either synthetic antiferromagnetic, vortex or polycrystalline with random grain anisotropy). The triggering of the apoptosis of these cancer cells was demonstrated with NiFe vortex particles and statistically characterized by flow-cytometry studies. The death pathway via apoptosis and not necrosis was identified by the clear observation of caspase activation.

  6. Triggering the apoptosis of targeted human renal cancer cells by the vibration of anisotropic magnetic particles attached to the cell membrane

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leulmi, Selma; Chauchet, Xavier; Morcrette, Melissa; Ortiz, Guillermo; Joisten, Hélène; Sabon, Philippe; Livache, Thierry; Hou, Yanxia; Carrière, Marie; Lequien, Stéphane; Dieny, Bernard

    2015-09-01

    Cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapy, and the side effects encountered seriously limit the effectiveness of treatments. For these reasons, the search for alternative therapies that target cancer cells without affecting healthy tissues is currently one of the most active areas of research on cancer. The present study focuses on a recently proposed approach for cancer cell destruction based on the targeted triggering of cancer cell spontaneous death through the mechanical vibration of anisotropic magnetic micro/nanoparticles attached to the cell membranes at low frequencies (~20 Hz) and in weak magnetic fields (~30 mT). The study was conducted in vitro, on human renal cancer cells with superparamagnetic-like particles. Three types of such particles made of NiFe or magnetite were prepared and characterized (either synthetic antiferromagnetic, vortex or polycrystalline with random grain anisotropy). The triggering of the apoptosis of these cancer cells was demonstrated with NiFe vortex particles and statistically characterized by flow-cytometry studies. The death pathway via apoptosis and not necrosis was identified by the clear observation of caspase activation.

  7. Magnetic responsive hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds construction for bone defect reparation

    PubMed Central

    Zeng, Xiao Bo; Hu, Hao; Xie, Li Qin; Lan, Fang; Jiang, Wen; Wu, Yao; Gu, Zhong Wei

    2012-01-01

    Introduction In recent years, interest in magnetic biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering has increased considerably. A type of magnetic scaffold composed of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and hydroxyapatite (HA) for bone repair has been developed by our research group. Aim and methods In this study, to investigate the influence of the MNP content (in the scaffolds) on the cell behaviors and the interactions between the magnetic scaffold and the exterior magnetic field, a series of MNP-HA magnetic scaffolds with different MNP contents (from 0.2% to 2%) were fabricated by immersing HA scaffold into MNP colloid. ROS 17/2.8 and MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the scaffolds in vitro, with and without an exterior magnetic field, respectively. The cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation were evaluated via scanning electron microscopy; confocal laser scanning microscopy; and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), alkaline phosphatase, and bone gla protein activity tests. Results The results demonstrated the positive influence of the magnetic scaffolds on cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Further, a higher amount of MNPs on the magnetic scaffolds led to more significant stimulation. Conclusion The magnetic scaffold can respond to the exterior magnetic field and engender some synergistic effect to intensify the stimulating effect of a magnetic field to the proliferation and differentiation of cells. PMID:22848165

  8. Effects on micronuclei formation of 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression.

    PubMed

    Jin, Yeung Bae; Kang, Ga-Young; Lee, Jae Seon; Choi, Jong-Il; Lee, Ju-Woon; Hong, Seung-Cheol; Myung, Sung Ho; Lee, Yun-Sil

    2012-04-01

    Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a possible correlation between exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and cancer. However, this correlation has yet to be definitively confirmed by epidemiological studies. The principal objective of this study was to assess the effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields in a normal cell line system, and particularly in combination with various external factors, via micronucleus (MN) assays. Mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH3T3 cells and human lung fibroblast WI-38 cells were exposed for 4 h to a 60 Hz, 1 mT uniform magnetic field with or without ionizing radiation (IR, 2 Gy), H(2)O(2) (100 μM) and cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) activation. The results obtained showed no significant differences between the cells exposed to ELF-MF alone and the unexposed cells. Moreover, no synergistic effects were observed when ELF-MF was combined with IR, H(2)O(2), and c-Myc activation. Our results demonstrate that ELF-MF did not enhance MN frequency by IR, H(2)O(2) and c-Myc activation.

  9. Comparison between immunofluorescence and immunomagnetic techniques of cytometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tchikov, V.; Schütze, S.; Krönke, M.

    1999-04-01

    Magnetophoresis and fluorescence activated cell sorting were used for evaluation of immunochemical properties of magnetic particles and fluorescent probes. The HLA-Bw6 antigen on surfaces of REH cells was detected with a primary monoclonal antibody and a secondary antibody coupled with fluorescent molecules or magnetic particles. Magnetophoresis can find applications in biology and medicine for measuring percentages of cell subpopulations.

  10. Paramagnetic Beads and Magnetically Mediated Strain Enhance Cardiomyogenesis in Mouse Embryoid Bodies

    PubMed Central

    Geuss, Laura R.; Wu, Douglas C.; Ramamoorthy, Divya; Alford, Corinne D.; Suggs, Laura J.

    2014-01-01

    Mechanical forces play an important role in proper embryologic development, and similarly such forces can directly impact pluripotency and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) in vitro. In addition, manipulation of the embryoid body (EB) microenvironment, such as by incorporation of microspheres or microparticles, can similarly influence fate determination. In this study, we developed a mechanical stimulation regimen using permanent neodymium magnets to magnetically attract cells within an EB. Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid (RGD)-conjugated paramagnetic beads were incorporated into the interior of the EBs during aggregation, allowing us to exert force on individual cells using short-term magnetization. EBs were stimulated for one hour at different magnetic field strengths, subsequently exerting a range of force intensity on the cells at different stages of early EB development. Our results demonstrated that following exposure to a 0.2 Tesla magnetic field, ESCs respond to magnetically mediated strain by activating Protein Kinase A (PKA) and increasing phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) expression. The timing of stimulation can also be tailored to guide ESC differentiation: the combination of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) supplementation with one hour of magnetic attraction on Day 3 enhances cardiomyogenesis by increasing contractile activity and the percentage of sarcomeric α-actin-expressing cells compared to control samples with BMP4 alone. Interestingly, we also observed that the beads alone had some impact on differentiation by increasingly slightly, albeit not significantly, the percentage of cardiomyocytes. Together these results suggest that magnetically mediated strain can be used to enhance the percentage of mouse ESC-derived cardiomyocytes over current differentiation protocols. PMID:25501004

  11. Magnetic tagging of cell-derived microparticles: new prospects for imaging and manipulation of these mediators of biological information.

    PubMed

    Vats, Nidhi; Wilhelm, Claire; Rautou, Pierre-Emmanuel; Poirier-Quinot, Marie; Péchoux, Christine; Devue, Cécile; Boulanger, Chantal M; Gazeau, Florence

    2010-07-01

    Submicron membrane fragments termed microparticles (MPs), which are released by apoptotic or activated cells, are newly considered as vectors of biological information and actors of pathology development. We propose the tagging of MPs with magnetic nanoparticles as a new approach allowing imaging, manipulation and targeting of cell-derived MPs. MPs generated in vitro from human endothelial cells or isolated from atherosclerotic plaques were labeled using citrate-coated 8 nm iron-oxide nanoparticles. MPs were tagged with magnetic nanoparticles on their surface and detected as Annexin-V positive by flow cytometry. Labeled MPs could be mobilized, isolated and manipulated at a distance in a magnetic field gradient. Magnetic mobility of labeled MPs was quantified by micromagnetophoresis. Interactions of labeled MPs with endothelial cells could be triggered and modulated by magnetic guidance. Nanoparticles served as tracers at different scales: at the subcellular level by electron microscopy, at the cellular level by histology and at the macroscopic level by MRI. Magnetic labeling of biogenic MPs opens new prospects for noninvasive monitoring and distal manipulations of these biological effectors.

  12. Moderate and strong static magnetic fields directly affect EGFR kinase domain orientation to inhibit cancer cell proliferation

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Wenchao; Li, Zhiyuan; Liu, Juanjuan; Yang, Xingxing; Ji, Xinmiao; Luo, Yan; Hu, Chen; Hou, Yubin; He, Qianqian; Fang, Jun; Wang, Junfeng; Liu, Qingsong; Li, Guohui; Lu, Qingyou; Zhang, Xin

    2016-01-01

    Static magnetic fields (SMFs) can affect cell proliferation in a cell-type and intensity-dependent way but the mechanism remains unclear. At the same time, although the diamagnetic anisotropy of proteins has been proposed decades ago, the behavior of isolated proteins in magnetic fields has not been directly observed. Here we show that SMFs can affect isolated proteins at the single molecular level in an intensity-dependent manner. We found that Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), a protein that is overexpressed and highly activated in multiple cancers, can be directly inhibited by SMFs. Using Liquid-phase Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) to examine pure EGFR kinase domain proteins at the single molecule level in solution, we observed orientation changes of these proteins in response to SMFs. This may interrupt inter-molecular interactions between EGFR monomers, which are critical for their activation. In molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, 1-9T SMFs caused increased probability of EGFR in parallel with the magnetic field direction in an intensity-dependent manner. A superconducting ultrastrong 9T magnet reduced proliferation of CHO-EGFR cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary cells with EGFR overexpression) and EGFR-expressing cancer cell lines by ~35%, but minimally affected CHO cells. We predict that similar effects of magnetic fields can also be applied to some other proteins such as ion channels. Our paper will help clarify some dilemmas in this field and encourage further investigations in order to achieve a better understanding of the biological effects of SMFs. PMID:27223425

  13. Simulation of magnetic active polymers for versatile microfluidic devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gusenbauer, Markus; Özelt, Harald; Fischbacher, Johann; Reichel, Franz; Exl, Lukas; Bance, Simon; Kataeva, Nadezhda; Binder, Claudia; Brückl, Hubert; Schrefl, Thomas

    2013-01-01

    We propose to use a compound of magnetic nanoparticles (20-100 nm) embedded in a flexible polymer (Polydimethylsiloxane PDMS) to filter circulating tumor cells (CTCs). The analysis of CTCs is an emerging tool for cancer biology research and clinical cancer management including the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. The combination of experiments and simulations lead to a versatile microfluidic lab-on-chip device. Simulations are essential to understand the influence of the embedded nanoparticles in the elastic PDMS when applying a magnetic gradient field. It combines finite element calculations of the polymer, magnetic simulations of the embedded nanoparticles and the fluid dynamic calculations of blood plasma and blood cells. With the use of magnetic active polymers a wide range of tunable microfluidic structures can be created. The method can help to increase the yield of needed isolated CTCs.

  14. Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting for the Fast and Efficient Separation of Human and Rodent Schwann Cells from Mixed Cell Populations.

    PubMed

    Ravelo, Kristine M; Andersen, Natalia D; Monje, Paula V

    2018-01-01

    To date, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) remains a powerful method to isolate distinct cell populations based on differential cell surface labeling. Optimized direct and indirect MACS protocols for cell immunolabeling are presented here as methods to divest Schwann cell (SC) cultures of contaminating cells (specifically, fibroblast cells) and isolate SC populations at different stages of differentiation. This chapter describes (1) the preparation of single-cell suspensions from established human and rat SC cultures, (2) the design and application of cell selection strategies using SC-specific (p75 NGFR , O4, and O1) and fibroblast-specific (Thy-1) markers, and (3) the characterization of both the pre- and post-sorting cell populations. A simple protocol for the growth of hybridoma cell cultures as a source of monoclonal antibodies for cell surface immunolabeling of SCs and fibroblasts is provided as a cost-effective alternative for commercially available products. These steps allow for the timely and efficient recovery of purified SC populations without compromising the viability and biological activity of the cells.

  15. Magneto-mechanical detection of nucleic acids and telomerase activity in cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Weizmann, Yossi; Patolsky, Fernando; Lioubashevski, Oleg; Willner, Itamar

    2004-02-04

    The ultra-sensitive magneto-mechanical detection of DNA, single-base-mismatches in nucleic acids, and the assay of telomerase activity are accomplished by monitoring the magnetically induced deflection of a cantilever functionalized with magnetic beads associated with the biosensing interface. The analyzed M13phi DNA hybridized with the nucleic acid-functionalized magnetic beads is replicated in the presence of dNTPs that include biotin-labeled dUTP. The resulting beads are attached to an avidin-coated cantilever, and the modified cantilever is deflected by an external magnetic field. Similarly, telomerization of nucleic acid-modified magnetic beads in the presence of dNTPs, biotin-labeled dUTP, and telomerase from cancer cell extracts and the subsequent association of the magnetic beads to the cantilever surface results in the lever deflection by an external magnetic field. M13phi DNA is sensed with a sensitivity limit of 7.1 x 10(-20) M by the magneto-mechanical detection method.

  16. Endothelial delivery of antioxidant enzymes loaded into non-polymeric magnetic nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Chorny, Michael; Hood, Elizabeth; Levy, Robert J.; Muzykantov, Vladimir R.

    2010-01-01

    Antioxidant enzymes have shown promise as a therapy for pathological conditions involving increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However the efficiency of their use for combating oxidative stress is dependent on the ability to achieve therapeutically adequate levels of active enzymes at the site of ROS-mediated injury. Thus, the implementation of antioxidant enzyme therapy requires a strategy enabling both guided delivery to the target site and effective protection of the protein in its active form. To address these requirements we developed magnetically responsive nanoparticles (MNP) formed by precipitation of calcium oleate in the presence of magnetite-based ferrofluid (controlled aggregation/precipitation) as a carrier for magnetically guided delivery of therapeutic proteins. We hypothesized that antioxidant enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase, can be protected from proteolytic inactivation by encapsulation in MNP. We also hypothesized that catalase-loaded MNP applied with a high-gradient magnetic field can rescue endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide toxicity in culture. To test these hypotheses, a family of enzyme-loaded MNP formulations were prepared and characterized with respect to their magnetic properties, enzyme entrapment yields and protection capacity. SOD- and catalase-loaded MNP were formed with average sizes ranging from 300 to 400 nm, and a protein loading efficiency of 20–33%. MNP were strongly magnetically responsive (magnetic moment at saturation of 14.3 emu/g) in the absence of magnetic remanence, and exhibited a protracted release of their cargo protein in plasma. Catalase stably associated with MNP was protected from proteolysis and retained 20% of its initial enzymatic activity after 24 hr of exposure to pronase. Under magnetic guidance catalase-loaded MNP were rapidly taken up by cultured endothelial cells providing increased resistance to oxidative stress (62±12% cells rescued from hydrogen peroxide induced cell death vs. 10±4% under non-magnetic conditions). We conclude that non-polymeric MNP formed using the controlled aggregation/precipitation strategy are a promising carrier for targeted antioxidant enzyme therapy, and in combination with magnetic guidance can be applied to protect endothelial cells from oxidative stress mediated damage. This protective effect of magnetically targeted MNP impregnated with antioxidant enzymes can be highly relevant for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and should be further investigated in animal models. PMID:20483366

  17. Endothelial delivery of antioxidant enzymes loaded into non-polymeric magnetic nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Chorny, Michael; Hood, Elizabeth; Levy, Robert J; Muzykantov, Vladimir R

    2010-08-17

    Antioxidant enzymes have shown promise as a therapy for pathological conditions involving increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However the efficiency of their use for combating oxidative stress is dependent on the ability to achieve therapeutically adequate levels of active enzymes at the site of ROS-mediated injury. Thus, the implementation of antioxidant enzyme therapy requires a strategy enabling both guided delivery to the target site and effective protection of the protein in its active form. To address these requirements we developed magnetically responsive nanoparticles (MNP) formed by precipitation of calcium oleate in the presence of magnetite-based ferrofluid (controlled aggregation/precipitation) as a carrier for magnetically guided delivery of therapeutic proteins. We hypothesized that antioxidant enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), can be protected from proteolytic inactivation by encapsulation in MNP. We also hypothesized that catalase-loaded MNP applied with a high-gradient magnetic field can rescue endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide toxicity in culture. To test these hypotheses, a family of enzyme-loaded MNP formulations were prepared and characterized with respect to their magnetic properties, enzyme entrapment yields and protection capacity. SOD- and catalase-loaded MNP were formed with average sizes ranging from 300 to 400 nm, and a protein loading efficiency of 20-33%. MNP were strongly magnetically responsive (magnetic moment at saturation of 14.3 emu/g) in the absence of magnetic remanence, and exhibited a protracted release of their cargo protein in plasma. Catalase stably associated with MNP was protected from proteolysis and retained 20% of its initial enzymatic activity after 24h of exposure to pronase. Under magnetic guidance catalase-loaded MNP were rapidly taken up by cultured endothelial cells providing increased resistance to oxidative stress (62+/-12% cells rescued from hydrogen peroxide induced cell death vs. 10+/-4% under non-magnetic conditions). We conclude that non-polymeric MNP formed using the controlled aggregation/precipitation strategy are a promising carrier for targeted antioxidant enzyme therapy, and in combination with magnetic guidance can be applied to protect endothelial cells from oxidative stress mediated damage. This protective effect of magnetically targeted MNP impregnated with antioxidant enzymes can be highly relevant for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and should be further investigated in animal models. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Rotating magnetic field induced oscillation of magnetic particles for in vivo mechanical destruction of malignant glioma.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Yu; Muroski, Megan E; Petit, Dorothée C M C; Mansell, Rhodri; Vemulkar, Tarun; Morshed, Ramin A; Han, Yu; Balyasnikova, Irina V; Horbinski, Craig M; Huang, Xinlei; Zhang, Lingjiao; Cowburn, Russell P; Lesniak, Maciej S

    2016-02-10

    Magnetic particles that can be precisely controlled under a magnetic field and transduce energy from the applied field open the way for innovative cancer treatment. Although these particles represent an area of active development for drug delivery and magnetic hyperthermia, the in vivo anti-tumor effect under a low-frequency magnetic field using magnetic particles has not yet been demonstrated. To-date, induced cancer cell death via the oscillation of nanoparticles under a low-frequency magnetic field has only been observed in vitro. In this report, we demonstrate the successful use of spin-vortex, disk-shaped permalloy magnetic particles in a low-frequency, rotating magnetic field for the in vitro and in vivo destruction of glioma cells. The internalized nanomagnets align themselves to the plane of the rotating magnetic field, creating a strong mechanical force which damages the cancer cell structure inducing programmed cell death. In vivo, the magnetic field treatment successfully reduces brain tumor size and increases the survival rate of mice bearing intracranial glioma xenografts, without adverse side effects. This study demonstrates a novel approach of controlling magnetic particles for treating malignant glioma that should be applicable to treat a wide range of cancers. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. THE LYMPHOCYTE RESPONSE TO PRIMARY MOLONEY SARCOMA VIRUS TUMORS IN BALB/c MICE

    PubMed Central

    Lamon, E. W.; Wigzell, H.; Klein, E.; Andersson, B.; Skurzak, H. M.

    1973-01-01

    Adult BALB/c mice were injected with Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV) after which the animals' lymphocytes were examined for activity against Moloney leukemia virus (MLV) antigen-bearing target cells at 5-day intervals for 30 days. Lymphocytes from these animals and appropriately matched controls were fractionated into B cell-deficient (primarily T cells) and T cell-deficient (primarily B cells) subpopulations. Macrophages were removed using iron powder and magnetism. The unfractionated lymphocytes, T cells, and non-T cells were then tested in microcytotoxicity tests. Antigen-specific activity was found in the unfractionated lymphocytes from animals that had not yet developed palpable tumors and from regressor animals. The T cells were active just before tumor development and just after regression; however, by day 30 after virus infection (8–10 days after regression) the T cell subpopulation was much less active. The non-T cell subpopulation was also active before tumor development and soon after regression. However, this activity continued to rise after regression and was highest at 30 days. At day 15 (peak tumor size) neither subpopulation was active. The activity was demonstrated to be specific for the MLV-determined cell surface antigen by testing on control target cells that were MLV antigen negative and by comparison of the inhibitory effects with lymphocytes immune to a nonpertinent antigen as well as normal lymphocytes. The non-T cells were tested for activity before and after removal of macrophages with iron powder and magnetism. Such cells were significantly more active after removal of the macrophages. These data demonstrate specific T cell and non-T cell activity in microcytotoxicity tests with a tumor-specific system and strongly suggest that the non-T cell activity described herein is a B cell function. PMID:4709269

  20. Diamagnetic levitation promotes osteoclast differentiation from RAW264.7 cells.

    PubMed

    Sun, Yu-Long; Chen, Zhi-Hao; Chen, Xiao-Hu; Yin, Chong; Li, Di-Jie; Ma, Xiao-Li; Zhao, Fan; Zhang, Ge; Shang, Peng; Qian, Ai-Rong

    2015-03-01

    The superconducting magnet with a high magnetic force field can levitate diamagnetic materials. In this study, a specially designed superconducting magnet with large gradient high magnetic field (LGHMF), which provides three apparent gravity levels (μg, 1 g, and 2 g), was used to study its influence on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation from preosteoclast cell line RAW264.7. The effects of LGHMF on the viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, morphology in RAW264.7 cells were detected by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, the Griess method, and the immunofluorescence staining, respectively. The changes induced by LGHMF in osteoclast formation, mRNA expression, and bone resorption were determined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, semiquantity PCR, and bone resorption test, respectively. The results showed that: 1) LGHMF had no lethal effect on osteoclast precursors but attenuated NO release in RAW264.7 cells. 2) Diamagnetic levitation (μg) enhanced both the formation and bone resorption capacity of osteoclast. Moreover, diamagnetic levitation up-regulated mRNA expression of RANK, Cathepsin K, MMP-9, and NFATc1, while down-regulated RunX2 in comparison with controls. Furthermore, diamagnetic levitation induced obvious morphological alterations in osteoclast, including active cytoplasmic peripheral pseudopodial expansion, formation of pedosome belt, and aggregation of actin ring. 3) Magnetic field produced by LGHMF attenuated osteoclast resorption activity. Collectively, LGHMF with combined effects has multiple effects on osteoclast, which attenuated osteoclast resorption with magnetic field, whereas promoted osteoclast differentiation with diamagnetic levitation. Therefore, these findings indicate that diamagnetic levitation could be used as a novel ground-based microgravity simulator, which facilitates bone cell research of weightlessness condition.

  1. A novel method for isolating podocytes using magnetic activated cell sorting.

    PubMed

    Murakami, Ayumi; Oshiro, Hisashi; Kanzaki, Seiichi; Yamaguchi, Akira; Yamanaka, Shoji; Furuya, Mitsuko; Miura, Satoshi; Kanno, Hiroshi; Nagashima, Yoji; Aoki, Ichiro; Nagahama, Kiyotaka

    2010-12-01

    A large body of accumulated data has now revealed that podocytes play a major role in the development of proteinuria. However, the mechanisms of podocyte injury, leading to foot process effacement and proteinuria, are still unclear partly due to the current lack of an appropriate strategy for preparing podocytes. In this study, we have developed a novel method of rapid isolation of podocytes from mice using magnetic activated cell sorting with an anti-nephrin antibody. After endothelial cell depletion using anti-CD31 antibody, nephrin-positive cells were prepared from mouse kidneys using magnetic activated cell sorting with polyclonal rabbit anti-nephrin antibody. Purity of the positively sorted cells was determined by confocal microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. Expression profiles of podocyte-specific molecules in the sorted fractions were characterized by qualitative PCR and immunoblot analysis. Nephrin-positive cells, isolated from mouse kidneys within 6 h, showed dual positivity for synaptopodin and rabbit IgG on confocal microscopy. FACS analysis revealed that the purity of the positively sorted fractions was ∼75%. The nephrin-positive cells sorted by this approach showed a significantly higher expression of podocyte-specific molecules compared with nephrin-negative fractions. These data strongly suggest that our novel method for isolating podocytes has great utility for various downstream applications such as genomic analysis, proteomics and transcriptomics to elucidate molecular profiling of podocyte biology in vivo compared with conventional methods as our approach requires only several hours to complete and no tissue culture.

  2. Granular cells in the presence of magnetic field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jurčák, J.; Lemmerer, B.; van Noort, M.

    2017-10-01

    We present a statistical study of the dependencies of the shapes and sizes of the photospheric convective cells on the magnetic field properties. This analysis is based on a 2.5 hour long SST observations of active region NOAA 11768. We have blue continuum images taken with a cadence of 5.6 sec that are used for segmentation of individual granules and 270 maps of spectropolarimetric CRISP data allowing us to determine the properties of the magnetic field along with the line-of-sight velocities. The sizes and shapes of the granular cells are dependent on the the magnetic field strength, where the granules tend to be smaller in regions with stronger magnetic field. In the presence of highly inclined magnetic fields, the eccentricity of granules is high and we do not observe symmetric granules in these regions. The mean up-flow velocities in granules as well as the granules intensities decrease with increasing magnetic field strength.

  3. Viscoelastic Mapping of Living Cell Interiors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heinrich, Doris; Sackmann, Erich; Koehler, Jana; Gerisch, Guenther

    2004-03-01

    We performed spatially resolved mapping of the viscoelastic properties of the cytoplasm of living cell interiors. A magnetic tweezer was applied as a local probe for the investigation of active and passive transport inside the slime mold cells Dictyostelium discoideum. Fluorescence labeled components, i.e. the microtubulins, the endoplasmatic reticulum or the core, allow for the determination of the interaction of the magnetic probes with the cytoplasm. By comparing the trajectories of the magnetic beads in the presence of an external magnetic force and in the absence of an external force, we can measure the viscosity at any given position within the cell. These experiments show that the cytoplasm consists of soft pathways (yield stress less or equal 10 Pa) and hard pathways (yield stress less or equal 500 Pa). Selective actin, myosin II or microtubulin network removal in the living cells allows for the determination of the influence of these cell parts on the viscoelastic properties.

  4. Peptide conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for magnetically mediated energy delivery to lung cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Hauser, Anastasia K; Anderson, Kimberly W; Hilt, J Zach

    2016-07-01

    In the present study, we examine the effects of internalized peptide-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles and their ability to locally convert alternating magnetic field (AMF) energy into other forms of energy (e.g., heat and rotational work). Dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were functionalized with a cell penetrating peptide and after internalization by A549 and H358 cells were activated by an AMF. TAT-functionalized nanoparticles and AMF exposure increased reactive oxygen species generation compared with the nanoparticle system alone. The TAT-functionalized nanoparticles induced lysosomal membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane depolarization, but these effects were not further enhanced by AMF treatment. Although not statistically significant, there are trends suggesting an increase in apoptosis via the Caspase 3/7 pathways when cells are exposed to TAT-functionalized nanoparticles combined with AMF. Our results indicate that internalized TAT-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles activated by an AMF elicit cellular responses without a measurable temperature rise.

  5. Sequential CD34 cell fractionation by magnetophoresis in a magnetic dipole flow sorter.

    PubMed

    Schneider, Thomas; Karl, Stephan; Moore, Lee R; Chalmers, Jeffrey J; Williams, P Stephen; Zborowski, Maciej

    2010-01-01

    Cell separation and fractionation based on fluorescent and magnetic labeling procedures are common tools in contemporary research. These techniques rely on binding of fluorophores or magnetic particles conjugated to antibodies to target cells. Cell surface marker expression levels within cell populations vary with progression through the cell cycle. In an earlier work we showed the reproducible magnetic fractionation (single pass) of the Jurkat cell line based on the population distribution of CD45 surface marker expression. Here we present a study on magnetic fractionation of a stem and progenitor cell (SPC) population using the established acute myelogenous leukemia cell line KG-1a as a cell model. The cells express a CD34 cell surface marker associated with the hematopoietic progenitor cell activity and the progenitor cell lineage commitment. The CD34 expression level is approximately an order of magnitude lower than that of the CD45 marker, which required further improvements of the magnetic fractionation apparatus. The cells were immunomagnetically labeled using a sandwich of anti-CD34 antibody-phycoerythrin (PE) conjugate and anti-PE magnetic nanobead and fractionated into eight components using a continuous flow dipole magnetophoresis apparatus. The CD34 marker expression distribution between sorted fractions was measured by quantitative PE flow cytometry (using QuantiBRITE PE calibration beads), and it was shown to be correlated with the cell magnetophoretic mobility distribution. A flow outlet addressing scheme based on the concept of the transport lamina thickness was used to control cell distribution between the eight outlet ports. The fractional cell distributions showed good agreement with numerical simulations of the fractionation based on the cell magnetophoretic mobility distribution in the unsorted sample.

  6. Inhibition of heat-shock protein 90 sensitizes liver cancer stem-like cells to magnetic hyperthermia and enhances anti-tumor effect on hepatocellular carcinoma-burdened nude mice

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Rui; Tang, Qiusha; Miao, Fengqin; An, Yanli; Li, Mengfei; Han, Yong; Wang, Xihui; Wang, Juan; Liu, Peidang; Chen, Rong

    2015-01-01

    Purpose To explore the thermoresistance and expression of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) in magnetic hyperthermia-treated human liver cancer stem-like cells (LCSCs) and the effects of a heat-shock protein HSP90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxgeldanamycin (17-AAG) on hepatocellular carcinoma-burdened nude mice. Methods CD90+ LCSCs were isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting from BEL-7404. Spheroid formation, proliferation, differentiation, drug resistance, and tumor formation assays were performed to identify stem cell characteristics. CD90-targeted thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TMs)-encapsulated 17-AAG (CD90@17-AAG/TMs) was prepared by reverse-phase evaporation and its characteristics were studied. Heat tolerance in CD90+ LCSCs and the effect of CD90@17-AAG/TMs-mediated heat sensitivity were examined in vitro and in vivo. Results CD90+ LCSCs showed significant stem cell-like properties. The 17-AAG/TMs were successfully prepared and were spherical in shape with an average size of 128.9±7.7 nm. When exposed to magnetic hyperthermia, HSP90 was up-regulated in CD90+ LCSCs. CD90@17-AAG/TMs inhibited the activity of HSP90 and increased the sensitivity of CD90+ LCSCs to magnetic hyperthermia. Conclusion The inhibition of HSP90 could sensitize CD90+ LCSCs to magnetic hyperthermia and enhance its anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo. PMID:26677324

  7. Endocytotic potential governs magnetic particle loading in dividing neural cells: studying modes of particle inheritance

    PubMed Central

    Tickle, Jacqueline A; Jenkins, Stuart I; Polyak, Boris; Pickard, Mark R; Chari, Divya M

    2016-01-01

    Aim: To achieve high and sustained magnetic particle loading in a proliferative and endocytotically active neural transplant population (astrocytes) through tailored magnetite content in polymeric iron oxide particles. Materials & methods: MPs of varying magnetite content were applied to primary-derived rat cortical astrocytes ± static/oscillating magnetic fields to assess labeling efficiency and safety. Results: Higher magnetite content particles display high but safe accumulation in astrocytes, with longer-term label retention versus lower/no magnetite content particles. Magnetic fields enhanced loading extent. Dynamic live cell imaging of dividing labeled astrocytes demonstrated that particle distribution into daughter cells is predominantly ‘asymmetric’. Conclusion: These findings could inform protocols to achieve efficient MP loading into neural transplant cells, with significant implications for post-transplantation tracking/localization. PMID:26785794

  8. Antioxidant capacity of parsley cells (Petroselinum crispum L.) in relation to iron-induced ferritin levels and static magnetic field.

    PubMed

    Rajabbeigi, Elham; Ghanati, Faezeh; Abdolmaleki, Parviz; Payez, Atefeh

    2013-12-01

    This study was aimed to evaluate antioxidant response of parsley cells to 21 ppm iron and static magnetic field (SMF; 30 mT). The activity of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and the contents of malonyldialdehyde, iron and ferritin were measured at 6 and 12 h after treatments. Exposure to SMF increased the activity of CAT in treated cells, while combination of iron and SMF treatments as well as iron supply alone decreased CAT activity, compared to that of control cells. Combination of SMF with iron treatment reduced iron content of the cells and ameliorated mal effect of iron on CAT activity. All treatments reduced APX activity; however, the content of total ascorbate increased in response to iron and SMF+iron. The results showed that among the components of antioxidant system of parsley cells, enhanced activity of CAT in SMF-treated cells and increase of ascorbate in SMF+Fe-treated ones were responsible for the maintenance of membranes integrity. Ferritin contents of SMF- and SMF+Fe-treated cells also decreased significantly 12 h after treatments, compared to those of the control cells. These results cast doubt on the proposed functions of ferritin as a putative reactive oxygen species detoxifying molecule.

  9. Brain-Targeted Delivery of Trans-Activating Transcriptor-Conjugated Magnetic PLGA/Lipid Nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Yifang; Sun, Tingting; Zhang, Fang; Wu, Jian; Fu, Yanyan; Du, Yang; Zhang, Lei; Sun, Ying; Liu, YongHai; Ma, Kai; Liu, Hongzhi; Song, Yuanjian

    2014-01-01

    Magnetic poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/lipid nanoparticles (MPLs) were fabricated from PLGA, L-α-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-amino (polyethylene glycol) (DSPE-PEG-NH2), and magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), and then conjugated to trans-activating transcriptor (TAT) peptide. The TAT-MPLs were designed to target the brain by magnetic guidance and TAT conjugation. The drugs hesperidin (HES), naringin (NAR), and glutathione (GSH) were encapsulated in MPLs with drug loading capacity (>10%) and drug encapsulation efficiency (>90%). The therapeutic efficacy of the drug-loaded TAT-MPLs in bEnd.3 cells was compared with that of drug-loaded MPLs. The cells accumulated higher levels of TAT-MPLs than MPLs. In addition, the accumulation of QD-loaded fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled TAT-MPLs in bEnd.3 cells was dose and time dependent. Our results show that TAT-conjugated MPLs may function as an effective drug delivery system that crosses the blood brain barrier to the brain. PMID:25187980

  10. Brain-targeted delivery of trans-activating transcriptor-conjugated magnetic PLGA/lipid nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Wen, Xiangru; Wang, Kai; Zhao, Ziming; Zhang, Yifang; Sun, Tingting; Zhang, Fang; Wu, Jian; Fu, Yanyan; Du, Yang; Zhang, Lei; Sun, Ying; Liu, YongHai; Ma, Kai; Liu, Hongzhi; Song, Yuanjian

    2014-01-01

    Magnetic poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/lipid nanoparticles (MPLs) were fabricated from PLGA, L-α-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-amino (polyethylene glycol) (DSPE-PEG-NH2), and magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), and then conjugated to trans-activating transcriptor (TAT) peptide. The TAT-MPLs were designed to target the brain by magnetic guidance and TAT conjugation. The drugs hesperidin (HES), naringin (NAR), and glutathione (GSH) were encapsulated in MPLs with drug loading capacity (>10%) and drug encapsulation efficiency (>90%). The therapeutic efficacy of the drug-loaded TAT-MPLs in bEnd.3 cells was compared with that of drug-loaded MPLs. The cells accumulated higher levels of TAT-MPLs than MPLs. In addition, the accumulation of QD-loaded fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled TAT-MPLs in bEnd.3 cells was dose and time dependent. Our results show that TAT-conjugated MPLs may function as an effective drug delivery system that crosses the blood brain barrier to the brain.

  11. Vascular Repair by Circumferential Cell Therapy Using Magnetic Nanoparticles and Tailored Magnets.

    PubMed

    Vosen, Sarah; Rieck, Sarah; Heidsieck, Alexandra; Mykhaylyk, Olga; Zimmermann, Katrin; Bloch, Wilhelm; Eberbeck, Dietmar; Plank, Christian; Gleich, Bernhard; Pfeifer, Alexander; Fleischmann, Bernd K; Wenzel, Daniela

    2016-01-26

    Cardiovascular disease is often caused by endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction and atherosclerotic plaque formation at predilection sites. Also surgical procedures of plaque removal cause irreversible damage to the EC layer, inducing impairment of vascular function and restenosis. In the current study we have examined a potentially curative approach by radially symmetric re-endothelialization of vessels after their mechanical denudation. For this purpose a combination of nanotechnology with gene and cell therapy was applied to site-specifically re-endothelialize and restore vascular function. We have used complexes of lentiviral vectors and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to overexpress the vasoprotective gene endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in ECs. The MNP-loaded and eNOS-overexpressing cells were magnetic, and by magnetic fields they could be positioned at the vascular wall in a radially symmetric fashion even under flow conditions. We demonstrate that the treated vessels displayed enhanced eNOS expression and activity. Moreover, isometric force measurements revealed that EC replacement with eNOS-overexpressing cells restored endothelial function after vascular injury in eNOS(-/-) mice ex and in vivo. Thus, the combination of MNP-based gene and cell therapy with custom-made magnetic fields enables circumferential re-endothelialization of vessels and improvement of vascular function.

  12. Coupling Binding to Catalysis: Using Yeast Cell Surface Display to Select Enzymatic Activities.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Keya; Bhuripanyo, Karan; Wang, Yiyang; Yin, Jun

    2015-01-01

    We find yeast cell surface display can be used to engineer enzymes by selecting the enzyme library for high affinity binding to reaction intermediates. Here we cover key steps of enzyme engineering on the yeast cell surface including library design, construction, and selection based on magnetic and fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

  13. A Smart Magnetically Active Nanovehicle for on-Demand Targeted Drug Delivery: Where van der Waals Force Balances the Magnetic Interaction.

    PubMed

    Panja, Sudipta; Maji, Somnath; Maiti, Tapas K; Chattopadhyay, Santanu

    2015-11-04

    The magnetic field is a promising external stimulus for controlled and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. Here, we focused on the preparation of a novel magnetically active polymeric micelle (MAPM) for magnetically targeted controlled drug delivery. To accomplish this, a number of superparamagnetic as well as biocompatible hybrid micelles were prepared by grafting four armed pentaerythretol poly(ε-caprolactone) (PE-PCL) onto the surface of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of two different ranges of size (∼5 nm and ∼15 nm). PE-PCL (four-armed) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization, and it has been subsequently grafted onto the surface of modified MNP through urethane (-NHCO-) linkage. Polymer-immobilized MNP (5 and 15 nm) showed peculiar dispersion behavior. One displayed uniform dispersion of MNP (5 nm), while the other (15 nm) revealed associated structure. This type of size dependent contradictory dispersion behavior was realized by taking the van der Waals force as well as magnetic dipole-dipole force into consideration. The uniformly dispersed polymer immobilized MNP (5 nm) was used for the preparation of MAPM. The hydrodynamic size and bulk morphology of MAPM were studied by dynamic light scattering and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The anticancer drug (DOX) was encapsulated into the MAPM. The magnetic field triggers cell uptake of MAPM micelles preferentially toward targeted cells compare to untargeted ones. The cell viabilities of MAMP, DOX-encapsulated MAPM, and free DOX were studied against HeLa cell by MTT assay. In vitro release profile displayed about 51.5% release of DOX from MAPM (just after 1 h) under the influence of high frequency alternating magnetic field (HFAMF; prepared in-house device). The DOX release rate has also been tailored by on-demand application of HFAMF.

  14. Magnetostatic Field System for Uniform Cell Cultures Exposure

    PubMed Central

    Vergallo, Cristian; Piccoli, Claudia; Romano, Alberto; Panzarini, Elisa; Serra, Antonio; Manno, Daniela; Dini, Luciana

    2013-01-01

    The aim of the present work has been the design and the realization of a Magnetostatic Field System for Exposure of Cell cultures (MaFiSEC) for the uniform and the reproducible exposure of cell cultures to static magnetic fields (SMFs) of moderate magnetic induction. Experimental and computer-simulated physical measurements show that MaFiSEC: i) generates a SMF with magnetic induction that can be chosen in the range of 3 to 20 mT; ii) allows the uniform SMF exposure of cells growing in adhesion and in suspension; iii) is cheap and easy to use. The efficacy and reproducibility of MaFiSEC has been tested by comparing the biological effects exerted on isolated human lymphocytes by 72 h of exposure to a magnet (i.e. Neodymium Magnetic Disk, NMD) placed under the culture Petri dish. Lymphocytes morphology, viability, cell death, oxidative stress and lysosomes activity were the parameters chosen to evaluate the SMF biological effects. The continuous exposure of cells to a uniform SMF, achieved with MaFiSEC, allows highly reproducible biochemical and morphological data. PMID:23977284

  15. A magnetically responsive nanocomposite scaffold combined with Schwann cells promotes sciatic nerve regeneration upon exposure to magnetic field

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Liangliang; Sun, Zhen; Zeng, Wen; Huang, Jinghui; Luo, Zhuojing

    2017-01-01

    Peripheral nerve repair is still challenging for surgeons. Autologous nerve transplantation is the acknowledged therapy; however, its application is limited by the scarcity of available donor nerves, donor area morbidity, and neuroma formation. Biomaterials for engineering artificial nerves, particularly materials combined with supportive cells, display remarkable promising prospects. Schwann cells (SCs) are the absorbing seeding cells in peripheral nerve engineering repair; however, the attenuated biologic activity restricts their application. In this study, a magnetic nanocomposite scaffold fabricated from magnetic nanoparticles and a biodegradable chitosan–glycerophosphate polymer was made. Its structure was evaluated and characterized. The combined effects of magnetic scaffold (MG) with an applied magnetic field (MF) on the viability of SCs and peripheral nerve injury repair were investigated. The magnetic nanocomposite scaffold showed tunable magnetization and degradation rate. The MGs synergized with the applied MF to enhance the viability of SCs after transplantation. Furthermore, nerve regeneration and functional recovery were promoted by the synergism of SCs-loaded MGs and MF. Based on the current findings, the combined application of MGs and SCs with applied MF is a promising therapy for the engineering of peripheral nerve regeneration. PMID:29123395

  16. Magnetically actuated mechanical stimuli on Fe3O4/mineralized collagen coatings to enhance osteogenic differentiation of the MC3T3-E1 cells.

    PubMed

    Zhuang, Junjun; Lin, Suya; Dong, Lingqing; Cheng, Kui; Weng, Wenjian

    2018-04-15

    Mechanical stimuli at the bone-implant interface are considered to activate the mechanotransduction pathway of the cell to improve the initial osseointegration establishment and to guarantee clinical success of the implant. However, control of the mechanical stimuli at the bone-implant interface still remains a challenge. In this study, we have designed a strategy of a magnetically responsive coating on which the mechanical stimuli is controlled because of coating deformation under static magnetic field (SMF). The iron oxide nanoparticle/mineralized collagen (IOP-MC) coatings were electrochemically codeposited on titanium substrates in different quantities of IOPs and distributions; the resulting coatings were verified to possess swelling behavior with flexibility same as that of hydrogel. The relative quantity of IOP to collagen and the IOP distribution in the coatings were demonstrated to play a critical role in mediating cell behavior. The cells present on the outer layer of the distributed IOP-MC (O-IOP-MC) coating with a mass ratio of 0.67 revealed the most distinct osteogenic differentiation activity being promoted, which could be attributed to the maximized mechanical stimuli with exposure to SMF. Furthermore, the enhanced osteogenic differentiation of the stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells originated from magnetically actuated mechanotransduction signaling pathway, embodying the upregulated expression of osteogenic-related and mechanotransduction-related genes. This work therefore provides a promising strategy for implementing mechanical stimuli to activate mechanotransduction on the bone-implant interface and thus to promote osseointegration. The magnetically actuated coating is designed to produce mechanical stimuli to cells for promoting osteogenic differentiation based on the coating deformation. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IOPs) were incorporated into the mineralized collagen coatings (MC) forming the composite coatings (IOP-MC) with spatially distributed IOPs, and the IOP-MC coatings with outer distributed IOPs (O-IOPs-MC) shows the maximized mechanical stimuli to cells with enhanced osteogenic differentiation under static magnetic field. The upregulated expression of the associated genes reveals that the enabled mechanotransduction signaling pathway is responsible for the promoted cellular osteogenic differentiation. This work therefore provides a promising strategy for implementing mechanical stimuli to activate mechanotransduction on the bone-implant interface to promote osseointegration. Copyright © 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field on antioxidant activity in plasma and red blood cells in spot welders.

    PubMed

    Sharifian, Akbar; Gharavi, Marjan; Pasalar, Parvin; Aminian, Omid

    2009-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine a possible relation between exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and the human antioxidant activity. The total serum antioxidant status (TAS), red blood cells (RBCs) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in 46 spot welders who were occupationally exposed to ELF-MF (magnetic field strength = 8.8-84 microTesla (microT), frequency = 50 Hertz (Hz) and electric field strength = 20-133 V/m). The results were compared with a nonexposed ELF-MF control group. The correlation between magnetic field strength and antioxidant activity in RBCs and plasma was then assessed. No significant differences in TAS levels were observed (P value = 0.065). However, in RBCs of exposed group, a significant decrease in SOD and GPX activities was observed (P value = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). This decrease was measured as 22 and 12.3%, respectively. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between SOD/GPX activities and magnetic field intensity was observed (coefficients of SOD: -0.625, significance: 0.0001 and coefficients of GPX: -0.348, significance: 0.018). The results of this study indicate that ELF-MF could influence the RBC antioxidant activity and might act as an oxidative stressor. Intracellular antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GPX were found to be the most important markers involving in this process. The influence of magnetic field on the antioxidant activity of RBCs might occur even at the recommended levels of exposure.

  18. Peptide conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for magnetically mediated energy delivery to lung cancer cells

    PubMed Central

    Hauser, Anastasia K; Anderson, Kimberly W; Hilt, J Zach

    2016-01-01

    Aim: In the present study, we examine the effects of internalized peptide-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles and their ability to locally convert alternating magnetic field (AMF) energy into other forms of energy (e.g., heat and rotational work). Materials & methods: Dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were functionalized with a cell penetrating peptide and after internalization by A549 and H358 cells were activated by an AMF. Results: TAT-functionalized nanoparticles and AMF exposure increased reactive oxygen species generation compared with the nanoparticle system alone. The TAT-functionalized nanoparticles induced lysosomal membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane depolarization, but these effects were not further enhanced by AMF treatment. Although not statistically significant, there are trends suggesting an increase in apoptosis via the Caspase 3/7 pathways when cells are exposed to TAT-functionalized nanoparticles combined with AMF. Conclusion: Our results indicate that internalized TAT-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles activated by an AMF elicit cellular responses without a measurable temperature rise. PMID:27388639

  19. Targeting of peptide conjugated magnetic nanoparticles to urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expressing cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hansen, Line; Unmack Larsen, Esben Kjær; Nielsen, Erik Holm; Iversen, Frank; Liu, Zhuo; Thomsen, Karen; Pedersen, Michael; Skrydstrup, Troels; Nielsen, Niels Chr.; Ploug, Michael; Kjems, Jørgen

    2013-08-01

    Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles are currently being used as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vivo, mainly by their passive accumulation in tissues of interest. However, a higher specificity can ideally be achieved when the nanoparticles are targeted towards cell specific receptors and this may also facilitate specific drug delivery by an enhanced target-mediated endocytosis. We report efficient peptide-mediated targeting of magnetic nanoparticles to cells expressing the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a surface biomarker for poor patient prognosis shared by several cancers including breast, colorectal, and gastric cancers. Conjugation of a uPAR specific targeting peptide onto polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated USPIO nanoparticles by click chemistry resulted in a five times higher uptake in vitro in a uPAR positive cell line compared to nanoparticles carrying a non-binding control peptide. In accordance with specific receptor-mediated recognition, a low uptake was observed in the presence of an excess of ATF, a natural ligand for uPAR. The uPAR specific magnetic nanoparticles can potentially provide a useful supplement for tumor patient management when combined with MRI and drug delivery.Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles are currently being used as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent in vivo, mainly by their passive accumulation in tissues of interest. However, a higher specificity can ideally be achieved when the nanoparticles are targeted towards cell specific receptors and this may also facilitate specific drug delivery by an enhanced target-mediated endocytosis. We report efficient peptide-mediated targeting of magnetic nanoparticles to cells expressing the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a surface biomarker for poor patient prognosis shared by several cancers including breast, colorectal, and gastric cancers. Conjugation of a uPAR specific targeting peptide onto polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated USPIO nanoparticles by click chemistry resulted in a five times higher uptake in vitro in a uPAR positive cell line compared to nanoparticles carrying a non-binding control peptide. In accordance with specific receptor-mediated recognition, a low uptake was observed in the presence of an excess of ATF, a natural ligand for uPAR. The uPAR specific magnetic nanoparticles can potentially provide a useful supplement for tumor patient management when combined with MRI and drug delivery. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr32922d

  20. Self-contained high-pressure cell, apparatus, and procedure for the preparation of encapsulated proteins dissolved in low viscosity fluids for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peterson, Ronald W.; Wand, A. Joshua

    2005-09-01

    The design of a sample cell for high-performance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at elevated pressure is described. The cell has been optimized for the study of encapsulated proteins dissolved in low viscosity fluids but is suitable for more general nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of biomolecules at elevated pressure. The NMR cell is comprised of an alumina-toughened zirconia tube mounted on a self-sealing nonmagnetic metallic valve. The cell has several advantages, including relatively low cost, excellent NMR performance, high-pressure tolerance, chemical inertness, and a relatively large active volume. Also described is a low volume sample preparation device that allows for the preparation of samples under high hydrostatic pressure and their subsequent transfer to the NMR cell.

  1. The cellular magnetic response and biocompatibility of biogenic zinc- and cobalt-doped magnetite nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moise, Sandhya; Céspedes, Eva; Soukup, Dalibor; Byrne, James M.; El Haj, Alicia J.; Telling, Neil D.

    2017-01-01

    The magnetic moment and anisotropy of magnetite nanoparticles can be optimised by doping with transition metal cations, enabling their properties to be tuned for different biomedical applications. In this study, we assessed the suitability of bacterially synthesized zinc- and cobalt-doped magnetite nanoparticles for biomedical applications. To do this we measured cellular viability and activity in primary human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and human osteosarcoma-derived cells. Using AC susceptibility we studied doping induced changes in the magnetic response of the nanoparticles both as stable aqueous suspensions and when associated with cells. Our findings show that the magnetic response of the particles was altered after cellular interaction with a reduction in their mobility. In particular, the strongest AC susceptibility signal measured in vitro was from cells containing high-moment zinc-doped particles, whilst no signal was observed in cells containing the high-anisotropy cobalt-doped particles. For both particle types we found that the moderate dopant levels required for optimum magnetic properties did not alter their cytotoxicity or affect osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells. Thus, despite the known cytotoxicity of cobalt and zinc ions, these results suggest that iron oxide nanoparticles can be doped to sufficiently tailor their magnetic properties without compromising cellular biocompatibility.

  2. The cellular magnetic response and biocompatibility of biogenic zinc- and cobalt-doped magnetite nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Moise, Sandhya; Céspedes, Eva; Soukup, Dalibor; Byrne, James M.; El Haj, Alicia J.; Telling, Neil D.

    2017-01-01

    The magnetic moment and anisotropy of magnetite nanoparticles can be optimised by doping with transition metal cations, enabling their properties to be tuned for different biomedical applications. In this study, we assessed the suitability of bacterially synthesized zinc- and cobalt-doped magnetite nanoparticles for biomedical applications. To do this we measured cellular viability and activity in primary human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and human osteosarcoma-derived cells. Using AC susceptibility we studied doping induced changes in the magnetic response of the nanoparticles both as stable aqueous suspensions and when associated with cells. Our findings show that the magnetic response of the particles was altered after cellular interaction with a reduction in their mobility. In particular, the strongest AC susceptibility signal measured in vitro was from cells containing high-moment zinc-doped particles, whilst no signal was observed in cells containing the high-anisotropy cobalt-doped particles. For both particle types we found that the moderate dopant levels required for optimum magnetic properties did not alter their cytotoxicity or affect osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells. Thus, despite the known cytotoxicity of cobalt and zinc ions, these results suggest that iron oxide nanoparticles can be doped to sufficiently tailor their magnetic properties without compromising cellular biocompatibility. PMID:28045082

  3. The preservation of living cells with biocompatible microparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Jing; Zhu, Yingnan; Xu, Tong; Pan, Chao; Cai, Nana; Huang, He; Zhang, Lei

    2016-07-01

    Biomedical applications of living cells have rapidly expanded in many fields such as toxic detection, drug screening, and regenerative medicine, etc. Efficient methods to support cell survival and maintain activity in vitro have become increasingly important. However, traditional cryopreservation for living cell-based applications is limited by several problems. Here, we report that magnetic hydrogel microparticles can physically assemble into a 3D environment for efficient cell preservation in physiological conditions, avoiding any chemical reactions that would damage the cells. Two representative cell lines (loosely and firmly adherent) were tested to evaluate the versatility of this method. The results showed that cell longevity was significantly extended to at least 15 days, while the control cell samples without microparticles quickly died within 3 days. Moreover, after preservation, cells can be easily retrieved by applying a magnet to separate the magnetic particles. This strategy can also inhibit cell over-proliferation while avoiding the use of temperature extremes or toxic cryoprotectants that are essential in cryopreservation.

  4. Fe3O4/BSA particles induce osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells under static magnetic field.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Pengfei; Zhang, Yixian; Zhu, Chaonan; Zhang, Wenjing; Mao, Zhengwei; Gao, Changyou

    2016-12-01

    Differentiation of stem cells is influenced by many factors, yet uptake of the magnetic particles with or without magnetic field is rarely tackled. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles-loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Fe 3 O 4 /BSA) particles were prepared, which showed a spherical morphology with a diameter below 200 nm, negatively charged surface, and tunable magnetic property. The particles could be internalized into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and their release from the cells was significantly retarded under external magnetic field, resulting in almost twice intracellular amount of the particles within 21 d compared to that of the magnetic field free control. Uptake of the Fe 3 O 4 /BSA particles enhanced significantly the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs under a static magnetic field, as evidenced by elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and expressions of collagen type I and osteocalcin at both mRNA and protein levels. Therefore, uptake of the Fe 3 O 4 /BSA particles brings significant influence on the differentiation of MSCs under magnetic field, and thereby should be paid great attention for practical applications. Differentiation of stem cells is influenced by many factors, yet uptake of the magnetic particles with or without magnetic field is rarely tackled. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles-loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Fe 3 O 4 /BSA) particles with a diameter below 200nm, negatively charged surface, tunable Fe 3 O 4 content and subsequently adjustable magnetic property were prepared. The particles could be internalized into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and their release from the cells was significantly retarded under external magnetic field. Uptake of the Fe 3 O 4 /BSA particles enhanced significantly the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs under a constant static magnetic field, while the magnetic particles and external magnetic field alone do not influence significantly the osteogenic differentiation potential of MSCs regardless of the uptake amount. The results demonstrate a potential magnetic manipulation method for stem cell differentiation, and also convey the significance of careful evaluation of the safety issue of magnetic particles in real an application situation. Copyright © 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Magnetophoretic circuits for digital control of single particles and cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lim, Byeonghwa; Reddy, Venu; Hu, Xinghao; Kim, Kunwoo; Jadhav, Mital; Abedini-Nassab, Roozbeh; Noh, Young-Woock; Lim, Yong Taik; Yellen, Benjamin B.; Kim, Cheolgi

    2014-05-01

    The ability to manipulate small fluid droplets, colloidal particles and single cells with the precision and parallelization of modern-day computer hardware has profound applications for biochemical detection, gene sequencing, chemical synthesis and highly parallel analysis of single cells. Drawing inspiration from general circuit theory and magnetic bubble technology, here we demonstrate a class of integrated circuits for executing sequential and parallel, timed operations on an ensemble of single particles and cells. The integrated circuits are constructed from lithographically defined, overlaid patterns of magnetic film and current lines. The magnetic patterns passively control particles similar to electrical conductors, diodes and capacitors. The current lines actively switch particles between different tracks similar to gated electrical transistors. When combined into arrays and driven by a rotating magnetic field clock, these integrated circuits have general multiplexing properties and enable the precise control of magnetizable objects.

  6. Efficient treatment of phenolic wastewater with high salinity using a novel integrated system of magnetically immobilized cells coupling with electrodes.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Bei; Shi, Shengnan; Song, Lun; Tan, Liang; Li, Meidi; Liu, Jiaxin; Xue, Lanlan

    2016-10-01

    A novel integrated system in which magnetically immobilized cells coupled with a pair of stainless iron meshes-graphite plate electrodes has been designed and operated to enhance the treatment performance of phenolic wastewater under high salinity. With NaCl concentration increased, phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol and COD removal rates by integrated system increased significantly, which were obviously higher than the sum of removal rates by single magnetically immobilized cells and electrode reaction. This integrated system exhibited higher removal rates for all the compounds than that by single magnetically immobilized cells during six cycles for reuse, and it still performed better, even when the voltage was cut off. These results indicated that there was a coupling effect between biodegradation and electrode reaction. The investigation of phenol hydroxylase activity and cells concentration confirmed that electrode reaction played an important role in this coupling effect. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Sudden motility reversal indicates sensing of magnetic field gradients in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 strain

    PubMed Central

    González, Lina M; Ruder, Warren C; Mitchell, Aaron P; Messner, William C; LeDuc, Philip R

    2015-01-01

    Many motile unicellular organisms have evolved specialized behaviors for detecting and responding to environmental cues such as chemical gradients (chemotaxis) and oxygen gradients (aerotaxis). Magnetotaxis is found in magnetotactic bacteria and it is defined as the passive alignment of these cells to the geomagnetic field along with active swimming. Herein we show that Magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1) show a unique set of responses that indicates they sense and respond not only to the direction of magnetic fields by aligning and swimming, but also to changes in the magnetic field or magnetic field gradients. We present data showing that AMB-1 cells exhibit sudden motility reversals when we impose them to local magnetic field gradients. Our system employs permalloy (Ni80Fe20) islands to curve and diverge the magnetic field lines emanating from our custom-designed Helmholtz coils in the vicinity of the islands (creating a drop in the field across the islands). The three distinct movements we have observed as they approach the permalloy islands are: unidirectional, single reverse and double reverse. Our findings indicate that these reverse movements occur in response to magnetic field gradients. In addition, using a permanent magnet we found further evidence that supports this claim. Motile AMB-1 cells swim away from the north and south poles of a permanent magnet when the magnet is positioned less than ∼30 mm from the droplet of cells. All together, these results indicate previously unknown response capabilities arising from the magnetic sensing systems of AMB-1 cells. These responses could enable them to cope with magnetic disturbances that could in turn potentially inhibit their efficient search for nutrients. PMID:25478682

  8. Sudden motility reversal indicates sensing of magnetic field gradients in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 strain.

    PubMed

    González, Lina M; Ruder, Warren C; Mitchell, Aaron P; Messner, William C; LeDuc, Philip R

    2015-06-01

    Many motile unicellular organisms have evolved specialized behaviors for detecting and responding to environmental cues such as chemical gradients (chemotaxis) and oxygen gradients (aerotaxis). Magnetotaxis is found in magnetotactic bacteria and it is defined as the passive alignment of these cells to the geomagnetic field along with active swimming. Herein we show that Magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1) show a unique set of responses that indicates they sense and respond not only to the direction of magnetic fields by aligning and swimming, but also to changes in the magnetic field or magnetic field gradients. We present data showing that AMB-1 cells exhibit sudden motility reversals when we impose them to local magnetic field gradients. Our system employs permalloy (Ni(80)Fe(20)) islands to curve and diverge the magnetic field lines emanating from our custom-designed Helmholtz coils in the vicinity of the islands (creating a drop in the field across the islands). The three distinct movements we have observed as they approach the permalloy islands are: unidirectional, single reverse and double reverse. Our findings indicate that these reverse movements occur in response to magnetic field gradients. In addition, using a permanent magnet we found further evidence that supports this claim. Motile AMB-1 cells swim away from the north and south poles of a permanent magnet when the magnet is positioned less than ∼30 mm from the droplet of cells. All together, these results indicate previously unknown response capabilities arising from the magnetic sensing systems of AMB-1 cells. These responses could enable them to cope with magnetic disturbances that could in turn potentially inhibit their efficient search for nutrients.

  9. Improved and targeted delivery of bioactive molecules to cells with magnetic layer-by-layer assembled microcapsules

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavlov, Anton M.; Gabriel, Samantha A.; Sukhorukov, Gleb B.; Gould, David J.

    2015-05-01

    Despite our increasing knowledge of cell biology and the recognition of an increasing repertoire of druggable intracellular therapeutic targets, there remain a limited number of approaches to deliver bioactive molecules to cells and even fewer that enable targeted delivery. Layer-by-layer (LbL) microcapsules are assembled using alternate layers of oppositely charged molecules and are potential cell delivery vehicles for applications in nanomedicine. There are a wide variety of charged molecules that can be included in the microcapsule structure including metal nanoparticles that introduce physical attributes. Delivery of bioactive molecules to cells with LbL microcapsules has recently been demonstrated, so in this study we explore the delivery of bioactive molecules (luciferase enzyme and plasmid DNA) to cells using biodegradable microcapsules containing a layer of magnetite nanoparticles. Interestingly, significantly improved intracellular luciferase enzyme activity (25 fold) and increased transfection efficiency with plasmid DNA (3.4 fold) was observed with magnetic microcapsules. The use of a neodymium magnet enabled efficient targeting of magnetic microcapsules which further improved the delivery efficiency of the cargoes as a consequence of increased microcapsule concentration at the magnetic site. Microcapsules were well tolerated by cells in these experiments and only displayed signs of toxicity at a capsule : cell ratio of 100 : 1 and with extended exposure. These studies illustrate how multi-functionalization of LbL microcapsules can improve and target delivery of bioactive molecules to cells.

  10. Distinguishing Between Activated and Non-Activated Eosinophils Using a Microelectrode: Theoretical Investigations of Bulk and Surface Polaritons in Magnetic Multilayers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lacy, Fred

    In Part I of this dissertation, a whole cell biosensor which can detect the activation state of eosinophils (one of several types of white blood cells) will be developed and tested. This biosensor, which consists of a small gold electrode (50 μm x 50 μm) and a large gold electrode (1.5 cm x 0.5 cm) on a glass substrate, has been fabricated by photolithographic techniques. The eosinophils are known to exhibit different physical properties when they change from the activated state to the non-activated state. Based on some of these property changes, there should be a corresponding change in the measured electrical impedance. In this research, this biosensor will measure the electrical impedance of the eosinophils. This will show that the biosensor can detect the different states of the eosinophils (through the electrical impedance technique). And from these measurements, the different parameters associated with the electrical impedance can be determined. In Part II of this dissertation, a theoretical calculation will be performed in which bulk and surface magnetic polaritons in magnetic materials will be found. A polariton is the coupling of electromagnetic radiation and the elementary excitation of the given material (in our case, a magnetic material). The structure that we will be considering is a periodic semi-infinite material consisting of alternating antiferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers. An antiferromagnetic material is a material in which individual atoms exhibit magnetic moments, but the overall magnetization of the material is zero because the moments of every other atom are antiparallel. We will use a method known as the transfer matrix technique to find an expression for the dispersion relation of the bulk and surface waves in these materials. Then we will create plots of omega(k) as we vary the geometric configurations of the layers which make-up the magnetic multilayer. We also will calculate the effect of an external magnetic field on these magnetic structures.

  11. Fluorescent magnetic bead-based mast cell biosensor for electrochemical detection of allergens in foodstuffs.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Donglei; Zhu, Pei; Jiang, Hui; Ji, Jian; Sun, Xiulan; Gu, Wenshu; Zhang, Genyi

    2015-08-15

    In this study, a novel electrochemical rat basophilic leukemia cell (RBL-2H3) cell sensor, based on fluorescent magnetic beads, has been developed for the detection and evaluation of different allergens in foodstuffs. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was successfully fused inside the SiO2 layer of SiO2 shell-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which was superior to the traditional Fe3O4@SiO2@FITC modification process. The as-synthesized fluorescent magnetic beads were then encapsulated with lipidosome to form cationic magnetic fluorescent nanoparticles (CMFNPs) for mast cell magnetofection. The CMFNPs were then characterized by SEM, TEM, VSM, FTIR, and XRD analyses, and transfected into RBL-2H3 cells through a highly efficient, lipid-mediated magnetofection procedure. Magnetic glassy carbon electrode (MGCE), which possesses excellent reproducibility and regeneration qualities, was then employed to adsorb the CMFNP-transfected RBL-2H3 cells activated by an allergen antigen for electrochemical assay. Results show that the exposure of model antigen-dinitrophenol-bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA) to anti-DNP IgE-sensitized mast cells induced a robust and long-lasting electrochemical impedance signal in a dose-dependent manner. The detection limit was identified at 3.3×10(-4) ng/mL. To demonstrate the utility of this mast cell-based biosensor for detection of real allergens in foodstuffs, Anti-Pen a1 IgE and Anti-PV IgE-activated cells were employed to quantify both shrimp allergen tropomyosin (Pen a 1) and fish allergen parvalbumin (PV). Results show high detection accuracy for these targets, with a limit of 0.03 μg/mL (shrimp Pen a 1) and 0.16 ng/mL (fish PV), respectively. To this effect, we conclude the proposed method is a facile, highly sensitive, innovative electrochemical method for the evaluation of food allergens. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Functional magnetic resonance microscopy at single-cell resolution in Aplysia californica

    PubMed Central

    Radecki, Guillaume; Nargeot, Romuald; Jelescu, Ileana Ozana; Le Bihan, Denis; Ciobanu, Luisa

    2014-01-01

    In this work, we show the feasibility of performing functional MRI studies with single-cell resolution. At ultrahigh magnetic field, manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance microscopy allows the identification of most motor neurons in the buccal network of Aplysia at low, nontoxic Mn2+ concentrations. We establish that Mn2+ accumulates intracellularly on injection into the living Aplysia and that its concentration increases when the animals are presented with a sensory stimulus. We also show that we can distinguish between neuronal activities elicited by different types of stimuli. This method opens up a new avenue into probing the functional organization and plasticity of neuronal networks involved in goal-directed behaviors with single-cell resolution. PMID:24872449

  13. Targeting multiple types of tumors using NKG2D-coated iron oxide nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Ming-Ru; Cook, W. James; Zhang, Tong; Sentman, Charles L.

    2014-11-01

    Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) hold great potential for cancer therapy. Actively targeting IONPs to tumor cells can further increase therapeutic efficacy and decrease off-target side effects. To target tumor cells, a natural killer (NK) cell activating receptor, NKG2D, was utilized to develop pan-tumor targeting IONPs. NKG2D ligands are expressed on many tumor types and its ligands are not found on most normal tissues under steady state conditions. The data showed that mouse and human fragment crystallizable (Fc)-fusion NKG2D (Fc-NKG2D) coated IONPs (NKG2D/NPs) can target multiple NKG2D ligand positive tumor types in vitro in a dose dependent manner by magnetic cell sorting. Tumor targeting effect was robust even under a very low tumor cell to normal cell ratio and targeting efficiency correlated with NKG2D ligand expression level on tumor cells. Furthermore, the magnetic separation platform utilized to test NKG2D/NP specificity has the potential to be developed into high throughput screening strategies to identify ideal fusion proteins or antibodies for targeting IONPs. In conclusion, NKG2D/NPs can be used to target multiple tumor types and magnetic separation platform can facilitate the proof-of-concept phase of tumor targeting IONP development.

  14. Transcranial magnetic stimulation promotes the proliferation of dopaminergic neuronal cells in vitro

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhong, Xiaojing; Luo, Jie; Rastogi, Priyam; Kanthasamy, Anumantha G.; Jiles, David C.; Fellow, IEEE

    2018-05-01

    Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe and non-invasive treatment for neurological disorders. TMS has been approved as a treatment for major depressive disorders by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008. Due to the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, a time-varying magnetic field induces an electric field in the conductive tissues in the brain, TMS has the ability to activate neurons in vivo. However, the effects of the magnetic fields on neurons in cell culture have not been investigated adequately. The magnetic fields affect the neurons when the potential across the neuronal membrane exceeds the threshold which in turn causes an action potential. Based on these theories, we investigated the effects of the magnetic fields generated by a monophasic stimulator with a 70 mm double coil on rat dopaminergic neuronal cell lines (N27). The directions of the magnetic fields in each coil of the double coil oppose each other. The effects of changing the direction of the magnetic field on N27 neurons was also investigated. The results of the experiments showed that both of the fields perpendicular to the coil surface promoted the proliferation of N27 dopaminergic neurons. In order to investigate the gene expression and protein expression affected by TMS, quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was used. Here we report changes in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in dopaminergic neuronal cells (N27) after TMS treatment.

  15. Pulsed magneto-motive ultrasound imaging to detect intracellular trafficking of magnetic nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Mehrmohamamdi, Mohammad; Qu, Min; Ma, Li L.; Romanovicz, Dwight K.; Johnston, Keith P.; Sokolov, Konstantin V.; Emelianov, Stanislav Y.

    2012-01-01

    As applications of nanoparticles in medical imaging and biomedicine rapidly expand, the interactions of nanoparticles with living cells have become an area of active interest. For example, intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles – an important part of cell-nanoparticle interaction, has been well studied using plasmonic nanoparticles and optical or optics-based techniques due to the change in optical properties of the nanoparticle aggregates. However, magnetic nanoparticles, despite their wide range of clinical applications, do not exhibit plasmonic-resonant properties and therefore their intracellular aggregation cannot be detected by optics-based imaging techniques. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of a novel imaging technique – pulsed magneto-motive ultrasound (pMMUS), to identify intracellular trafficking of endocytosed magnetic nanoparticles. In pulsed magneto-motive ultrasound imaging a focused, high intensity, pulsed magnetic field is used to excite the cells labeled with magnetic nanoparticles, and ultrasound imaging is then used to monitor the mechanical response of the tissue. We demonstrated previously that clusters of magnetic nanoparticles amplify the pMMUS signal in comparison to signal from individual nanoparticles. Here we further demonstrate that pMMUS imaging can identify interaction between magnetic nanoparticles and living cells, i.e. intracellular aggregation of nanoparticles within the cells. The results of our study suggest that pMMUS imaging can not only detect the presence of magnetic nanoparticles but also provides information about their intracellular trafficking non-invasively and in real-time. PMID:21926454

  16. In vitro and in vivo assessment of magnetically actuated biomaterials and prospects in tendon healing.

    PubMed

    Santos, Lívia; Silva, Marta; Gonçalves, Ana I; Pesqueira, Tamagno; Rodrigues, Márcia T; Gomes, Manuela E

    2016-05-01

    To expand our understanding on the effect of magnetically actuated biomaterials in stem cells, inflammation and fibrous tissue growth. Magnetic biomaterials were obtained by doping iron oxide particles into starch poly-ϵ-caprolactone (SPCL) to create two formulations, magSPCL-1.8 and 3.6. Stem cell behavior was assessed in vitro and the inflammatory response, subcutaneously in Wistar rats. Metabolic activity and proliferation increased significantly overtime in SPCL and magSPCL-1.8. Electromagnetic fields attenuated the presence of mast cells and macrophages in tissues surrounding SPCL and magSPCL-1.8, between weeks 1 and 9. Macrophage reduction was more pronounced for magSPCL-1.8, which could explain why this material prevented growth of fibrous tissue overtime. Magnetically actuated biomaterials have potential to modulate inflammation and the growth of fibrous tissue.

  17. Engineering the Intracellular Micro- and Nano-environment via Magnetic Nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tseng, Peter

    Single cells, despite being the base unit of living organisms, possess a high degree of hierarchical structure and functional compartmentalization. This complexity exists for good reason: cells must respond efficiently and effectively to its surrounding environment by differentiating, moving, interacting, and more in order to survive or inhabit its role in the larger biological system. At the core of these responses is cellular decision-making. Cells process cues internally and externally from the environment and effect intracellular asymmetry in biochemistry and structure in order to carry out the proper biological responses. Functionalized magnetic particles have shown to be a powerful tool in interacting with biological matter, through either cell or biomolecule sorting, and the activation of biological processes. This dissertation reports on techniques utilizing manipulated magnetic nanoparticles (internalized by cells) to spatially and temporally localize intracellular cues, and examines the resulting asymmetry in biological processes generated by our methods. We first examine patterned micromagnetic elements as a simple strategy of rapidly manipulating magnetic nanoparticles throughout the intracellular space. Silicon or silicon dioxide substrates form the base for electroplated NiFe rods, which are repeated at varying size and pitch. A planarizing resin, initially SU-8, is used as the substrate layer for cellular adhesion. We demonstrate that through the manipulations of a simple external magnet, these micro-fabricated substrates can mediate rapid (under 2 s) and precise (submicron), reversible translation of magnetic nanoparticles through cellular space. Seeding cells on substrates composed of these elements allows simultaneous control of ensembles of nanoparticles over thousands of cells at a time. We believe such substrates could form the basis of magnetically based tools for the activation of biological matter. We further utilize these strategies to generate user-controllable (time-varying and localizable), massively parallel forces on arrays of cells mediated by coalesced ensembles of magnetic nanoparticles. The above process is simplified and adapted for single cell analysis by precisely aligning fibronectin patterned cells to a single flanking micromagnet. The cells are loaded with magnetic-fluorescent nanoparticles, which are then localized to uniform positions at the internal edge of the cell membrane over huge arrays of cells using large external fields, allowing us to conduct composed studies on cellular response to force. By applying forces approaching the yield tension (5 nN / mum) of single cells, we are able to generate highly coordinated responses in cellular behavior. We discover that increasing tension generates highly directed, PAK-dependent leading-edge type filopodia that increase in intensity with rising tension. In addition, we find that our generated forces can simulate cues created during cellular mitosis, as we are consistently able to generate significant (45 to 90 degree) biasing of the metaphase plate during cell division. Large sample size and rapid sample generation also allow us to analyze cells at an unprecedented rate---a single sample can simultaneously stimulate thousands of cells for high statistical accuracy in measurements. We believe these approaches have potential not just as a tool to study single-cell response, but as a means of cell control, potentially through modifying cell movement, division, or differentiation. More generally, once approaches to release nanoparticles from endosomes are implemented, the technique provides a platform to dynamically apply a range of localized stimuli arbitrarily within cells. Through the bioconjugation of proteins, nucleic acids, small molecules, or whole organelles a broad range of questions should be accessible concerning molecular localization and its importance in cell function.

  18. Experimental studies of protozoan response to intense magnetic fields and forces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guevorkian, Karine

    Intense static magnetic fields of up to 31 Tesla were used as a novel tool to manipulate the swimming mechanics of unicellular organisms. It is shown that homogenous magnetic fields alter the swimming trajectories of the single cell protozoan Paramecium caudatum, by aligning them parallel to the applied field. Immobile neutrally buoyant paramecia also oriented in magnetic fields with similar rates as the motile ones. It was established that the magneto-orientation is mostly due to the magnetic torques acting on rigid structures in the cell body and therefore the response is a non-biological, passive response. From the orientation rate of paramecia in various magnetic field strengths, the average anisotropy of the diamagnetic susceptibility of the cell was estimated. It has also been demonstrated that magnetic forces can be used to create increased, decreased and even inverted simulated gravity environments for the investigation of the gravi-responses of single cells. Since the mechanisms by which Earth's gravity affects cell functioning are still not fully understood, a number of methods to simulate different strength gravity environments, such as centrifugation, have been employed. Exploiting the ability to exert magnetic forces on weakly diamagnetic constituents of the cells, we were able to vary the gravity from -8 g to 10 g, where g is Earth's gravity. Investigations of the swimming response of paramecia in these simulated gravities revealed that they actively regulate their swimming speed to oppose the external force. This result is in agreement with centrifugation experiments, confirming the credibility of the technique. Moreover, the Paramecium's swimming ceased in simulated gravity of 10 g, indicating a maximum possible propulsion force of 0.7 nN. The magnetic force technique to simulate gravity is the only earthbound technique that can create increased and decreased simulated gravities in the same experimental setup. These findings establish a general technique for applying continuously variable forces to cells or cell populations suitable for exploring their force transduction mechanisms.

  19. Directed transport of active magnetotactic bacteria in porous media flow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Waisbord, Nicolas; Dehkharghani, Amin; Coons, Thomas; Guasto, Jeffrey S.

    2017-11-01

    Swimming cell migration through porous media is a topic of ecological and technical relevance for understanding sediment ecosystems and bioremediation of soil for decontamination. We focus on magnetotactic bacteria - which align passively with Earth's magnetic field and migrate in such sediment environments - as a model system. The transport properties of magnetotactic bacteria are measured in a 2D microfluidic porous medium as a function of the porous microstructure geometry and under a variety of environmental conditions. In a quiescent fluid and in the absence of an external, guiding magnetic field, the effective diffusion of cells' random walk is unsurprisingly hindered with decreasing porosity due to cell-surface interactions. When guided by a magnetic field, cell trajectories acquire a net direction and form lanes, a behavior that is enhanced with increasing magnetic field. When the directed motility is coupled with an opposing fluid flow through the porous medium, convective cells form and locally trap the swimming bacteria. These results, which are corroborated by Langevin Simulations are an important step toward understanding magnetotactic bacterial ecology as well as for the magnetic guidance of microrobots in complex environments. Supported by NSF Grant CBET-1511340.

  20. The Role of Small-Scale Processes in Solar Active Region Decay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meyer, Karen; Mackay, Duncan

    2017-08-01

    Active regions are locations of intense magnetic activity on the Sun, whose evolution can result in highly energetic eruptive phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Therefore, fast and accurate simulation of their evolution and decay is essential in the prediction of Space Weather events. In this talk we present initial results from our new model for the photospheric evolution of active region magnetic fields. Observations show that small-scale processes appear to play a role in the dispersal and decay of solar active regions, for example through cancellation at the boundary of sunspot outflows and erosion of flux by surrounding convective cells. Our active region model is coupled to our existing model for the evolution of small-scale photospheric magnetic features. Focusing first on the active region decay phase, we consider the evolution of its magnetic field due to both large-scale (e.g. differential rotation) and small-scale processes, such as its interaction with surrounding small-scale magnetic features and convective flows.This project is funded by The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, through their Research Incentives Grant scheme.

  1. [Identification of Env-specific monoclonal antibodies from Chinese HIV-1 infected person by magnetic beads separating B cells and single cell RT-PCR cloning].

    PubMed

    Huang, Xiang-Ying; Yu, Shuang-Qing; Cheng, Zhan; Ye, Jing-Rong; Xu, Ke; Feng, Xia; Zeng, Yi

    2013-04-01

    To establish a simple and practical method for screening of Env-specific monoclonal antibodies from HIV-1 infected individuals. Human B cells were purified by negative sorting from PBMCs and memory B cells were further enriched using anti-CD27 microbeads. Gp120 antigen labbled with biotin was incubated with memory B cells to specifically bind IgG on cells membrane. The memory B cells expressing the Env-specific antibody were harvested by magnetic beads separating, counted and diluted to the level of single cell in each PCR well that loading with catch buffer containing RNase inhibitor to get RNAs. The antibody genes were amplified by single cell RT-PCR and nested PCR, cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors and transfected into 293T cells. The binding activity of recombinant antibodies to Env were tested by ELISA. Three monocolonal Env-specific antibodies were isolated from one HIV-1 infected individual. We can obtain Env-specific antibody by biotin labbled antigen, magnetic beads separating technique coupled with single cell RT-PCR and expression cloning.

  2. Electric and magnetic fields and tumor progression. Final report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Keng, P.C.; Grota, L.J.; Michaelson, S.

    This laboratory study has rigorously investigated two previously reported biological effects of 60-Hz electric and magnetic fields. The first effect involves nighttime suppression of melatonin synthesis in the pineal glands of rats exposed to high electric fields. The second concerns the increase in colony forming ability of human colon cancer cells exposed to 1.4-G magnetic fields. Neither effect was detected in the present study. A series of published laboratory studies on rats reported that 60-Hz electric fields at various field levels up to 130 kV/m suppress the nighttime synthesis of melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland. Since melatoninmore » is known to modulate the immune system and may inhibit cancer cell activity, changes in physiological levels of melatonin may have significant health consequences. In the repeat experiments, field exposure did not alter nighttime levels of melatonin or enzyme activities in the pineal gland. A small but statistically significant reduction of about 20% in serum melatonin was seen in exposed animals. Pineal melatonin was also unaffected by the presence of red light as a cofactor with field exposure or by time-shifting the daily field exposure period. Another study reported that 60-Hz magnetic fields can affect the colony forming ability of human cancer cells after exposure in a culture medium. In the repeat experiments, field exposure did not alter the colony forming ability of human Colo 205 cells in two different cell concentrations at plating or in two different incubation conditions. Field exposure also did not affect cell cycling in any of the four cell lines tested.« less

  3. Polyethylenimine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a potential non-viral vector for gene delivery.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Yangbo; Tang, Zhaomin; Shi, Chunli; Shi, Shuai; Qian, Zhiyong; Zhou, Shaobing

    2012-11-01

    Polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized as a potential non-viral vector for gene delivery. The nanoparticles could provide the magnetic-targeting, and the cationic polymer PEI could condense DNA and avoid in vitro barriers. The magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, dynamic light scattering measurements, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and atomic force microscopy. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to asses DNA binding and perform a DNase I protection assay. The Alamar blue assay was used to evaluate negative effects on the metabolic activity of cells incubated with PEI modified magnetic nanoparticles and their complexes with DNA both in the presence or absence of an external magnetic field. Flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy were also performed to investigate the transfection efficiency of the DNA-loaded magnetic nanoparticles in A549 and B16-F10 tumor cells with (+M) or without (-M) the magnetic field. The in vitro transfection efficiency of magnetic nanoparticles was improved obviously in a permanent magnetic field. Therefore, the magnetic nanoparticles show considerable potential as nanocarriers for gene delivery.

  4. Magnetic Nano- and Micro- Particles in Living Cells: Kinetics and Fluctuations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pease, C.; Chiang, N.; Pierce, C.; Muthusamy, N.; Sooryakumar, R.

    2015-03-01

    Functional nano and micro materials have recently been used not only as diagnostic tools for extracellular studies but also as intracellular drug delivery vehicles and as internal probes of the cell. To realize proper cellular applications, it is important not only to achieve efficient delivery of these materials to targeted cells, but also to control their movement and activity within the confines of the cell. In this presentation, superparamagnetic nano and micro particles are utilized as probes, with their responses to weak external magnetic fields enabling them to be maneuvered within a cell. In order to generate the required local magnetic fields needed for manipulation, the fields emanating from microscopic domain walls stabilized on patterned surface profiles are used in conjunction with weak external magnetic fields to create mobile traps that can localize and transport the internalized particle. Preliminary findings on creating the mobile traps suitable for applications to probe the interior of cells, and the responses, both Brownian fluctuations and directed motion, of particles ranging in size from 200 nm to 1 micron within HS-5 cells will be presented. Future applications to probe cellular behavior within the framework of emerging biomaterials will be discussed.

  5. Gadolinium-encapsulating iron oxide nanoprobe as activatable NMR/MRI contrast agent.

    PubMed

    Santra, Santimukul; Jativa, Samuel D; Kaittanis, Charalambos; Normand, Guillaume; Grimm, Jan; Perez, J Manuel

    2012-08-28

    Herein we report a novel gadolinium-encapsulating iron oxide nanoparticle-based activatable NMR/MRI nanoprobe. In our design, Gd-DTPA is encapsulated within the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) polymer coating of a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (IO-PAA), yielding a composite magnetic nanoprobe (IO-PAA-Gd-DTPA) with quenched longitudinal spin-lattice magnetic relaxation (T(1)). Upon release of the Gd-DTPA complex from the nanoprobe's polymeric coating in acidic media, an increase in the T(1) relaxation rate (1/T(1)) of the composite magnetic nanoprobe was observed, indicating a dequenching of the nanoprobe with a corresponding increase in the T(1)-weighted MRI signal. When a folate-conjugated nanoprobe was incubated in HeLa cells, a cancer cell line overexpressing folate receptors, an increase in the 1/T(1) signal was observed. This result suggests that, upon receptor-mediated internalization, the composite magnetic nanoprobe degraded within the cell's lysosome acidic (pH 5.0) environment, resulting in an intracellular release of Gd-DTPA complex with subsequent T(1) activation. In addition, when an anticancer drug (Taxol) was coencapsulated with the Gd-DTPA within the folate receptor targeting composite magnetic nanoprobe, the T(1) activation of the probe coincided with the rate of drug release and corresponding cytotoxic effect in cell culture studies. Taken together, these results suggest that our activatable T(1) nanoagent could be of great importance for the detection of acidic tumors and assessment of drug targeting and release by MRI.

  6. Silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles impair proteasome activity and increase the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in vitro

    PubMed Central

    Phukan, Geetika; Shin, Tae Hwan; Shim, Jeom Soon; Paik, Man Jeong; Lee, Jin-Kyu; Choi, Sangdun; Kim, Yong Man; Kang, Seong Ho; Kim, Hyung Sik; Kang, Yup; Lee, Soo Hwan; Mouradian, M. Maral; Lee, Gwang

    2016-01-01

    The potential toxicity of nanoparticles, particularly to neurons, is a major concern. In this study, we assessed the cytotoxicity of silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles containing rhodamine B isothiocyanate dye (MNPs@SiO2(RITC)) in HEK293 cells, SH-SY5Y cells, and rat primary cortical and dopaminergic neurons. In cells treated with 1.0 μg/μl MNPs@SiO2(RITC), the expression of several genes related to the proteasome pathway was altered, and proteasome activity was significantly reduced, compared with control and with 0.1 μg/μl MNPs@SiO2(RITC)-treated cells. Due to the reduction of proteasome activity, formation of cytoplasmic inclusions increased significantly in HEK293 cells over-expressing the α–synuclein interacting protein synphilin-1 as well as in primary cortical and dopaminergic neurons. Primary neurons, particularly dopaminergic neurons, were more vulnerable to MNPs@SiO2(RITC) than SH-SY5Y cells. Cellular polyamines, which are associated with protein aggregation, were significantly altered in SH-SY5Y cells treated with MNPs@SiO2(RITC). These findings highlight the mechanisms of neurotoxicity incurred by nanoparticles. PMID:27378605

  7. New 15-membered tetraaza (N4) macrocyclic ligand and its transition metal complexes: Spectral, magnetic, thermal and anticancer activity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    El-Boraey, Hanaa A.; EL-Gammal, Ohyla A.

    2015-03-01

    Novel tetraamidemacrocyclic 15-membered ligand [L] i.e. naphthyl-dibenzo[1,5,9,12]tetraazacyclopentadecine-6,10,11,15-tetraoneand its transition metal complexes with Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Ru(III) and Pd(II) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, thermal as well as magnetic and molar conductivity measurements. On the basis of analytical, spectral (IR, MS, UV-Vis, 1H NMR and EPR) and thermal studies distorted octahedral or square planar geometry has been proposed for the complexes. The antitumor activity of the synthesized ligand and some complexes against human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) and human hepatocarcinoma cell lines (HepG2) has been studied. The complexes (IC50 = 2.27-2.7, 8.33-31.1 μg/mL, respectively) showed potent antitumor activity, towards the former cell lines comparable with their ligand (IC50 = 13, 26 μg/mL, respectively). The results show that the activity of the ligand towards breast cancer cell line becomes more pronounced and significant when coordinated to the metal ion.

  8. MagR Alone Is Insufficient to Confer Cellular Calcium Responses to Magnetic Stimulation

    PubMed Central

    Pang, Keliang; You, He; Chen, Yanbo; Chu, Pengcheng; Hu, Meiqin; Shen, Jianying; Guo, Wei; Xie, Can; Lu, Bai

    2017-01-01

    Magnetic manipulation of cell activity offers advantages over optical manipulation but an ideal tool remains elusive. The MagR protein was found through its interaction with cryptochrome (Cry) and the protein in solution appeared to respond to magnetic stimulation (MS). After we initiated an investigation on the specific role of MagR in cellular response to MS, a subsequent study claimed that MagR expression alone could achieve cellular activation by MS. Here we report that despite systematically testing different ways of measuring intracellular calcium and different MS protocols, it was not possible to detect any cellular or neuronal responses to MS in MagR-expressing HEK cells or primary neurons from the dorsal root ganglion and the hippocampus. By contrast, in neurons co-expressing MagR and channelrhodopin, optical but not MS increased calcium influx in hippocampal neurons. Our results indicate that MagR alone is not sufficient to confer cellular magnetic responses. PMID:28360843

  9. Chicken embryo fibroblasts exposed to weak, time-varying magnetic fields share cell proliferation, adenosine deaminase activity, and membrane characteristics of transformed cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Parola, A.H.; Porat, N.; Kiesow, L.A.

    1993-01-01

    Chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) exposed to a sinusoidally varying magnetic field (SVMF) (100 Hz, 700 microT, for 24 h) showed a remarkable rise of segmental rotational relaxation rate of adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4) as determined by multifrequency phase fluorometry. Pyrene-labeled, small subunit ADA was applied to cultured (normal) CEF, which have available and abundant ADA complexing protein (ADCP) on their plasma membranes. Sine-wave-modulated fluorometry of the pyrene yielded a profile of phase angle vs. modulation frequency. In SVMF-treated cells and in Rous-sarcoma-virus (RSV) transformed cells the differential phase values at low modulation frequencies of the excitation are remarkably reduced.more » This effect is magnetic rather than thermal, because the temperature was carefully controlled and monitored; nevertheless to further check this matter we studied CEF, infected by the RSV-Ts68 temperature-sensitive mutant (36 degrees C transformed, 41 degrees C revertant). When grown at 36 degrees C in the SVMF, cells did not show the slightest trend towards reversion, as would be expected had there been local heating. Concomitant with the increased segmental rotational relaxation rate of ADA, there was a decrease in fluorescence lifetime and a slight, yet significant, increase in membrane lipid microfluidity. These biophysical observations prompted us to examine the effect of SVMF on cell proliferation and ADA activity (a malignancy marker): higher rates of cell proliferation and reduced specific activity of ADA were observed.« less

  10. Multimodal magnetic nano-carriers for cancer treatment: Challenges and advancements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aadinath, W.; Ghosh, Triroopa; Anandharamakrishnan, C.

    2016-03-01

    Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been a propitious topic for cancer treatment in recent years because of its multifunctional theranostic applications under magnetic field. Two such widely used applications in cancer biology are gradient magnetic field guided targeting and alternative magnetic field (AMF) induced local hyperthermia. Gradient magnetic field guided targeting is a mode of active targeting of therapeutics conjugated with iron oxide nanoparticles. These particles also dissipate heat in presence of AMF which causes thermal injury to the cells of interest, for example tumour cells and subsequent death. Clinical trials divulge the feasibility of such magnetic nano-carrier as a promising candidate in cancer biology. However, these techniques need further investigations to curtail certain limitations manifested. Recent progresses in response have shrunken the barricade to certain extent. In this context, principles, challenges associated with these applications and recent efforts made in response will be discussed.

  11. Passage of Magnetic Tat-Conjugated Fe3O4@SiO2 Nanoparticles Across In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Xueqin; Shang, Ting; Zhang, Xiaodan; Ye, Ting; Wang, Dajin; Rei, Lei

    2016-10-01

    Delivery of diagnostic or therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a major challenge of brain disease treatment. Magnetic nanoparticles are actively being developed as drug carriers due to magnetic targeting and subsequently reduced off-target effects. In this paper, we developed a magnetic SiO2@Fe3O4 nanoparticle-based carrier bound to cell-penetrating peptide Tat (SiO2@Fe3O4 -Tat) and studied its fates in accessing BBB. SiO2@Fe3O4-Tat nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited suitable magnetism and good biocompatibility. NPs adding to the apical chamber of in vitro BBB model were found in the U251 glioma cells co-cultured at the bottom of the Transwell, indicating that particles passed through the barrier and taken up by glioma cells. Moreover, the synergistic effects of Tat and magnetic field could promote the efficient cellular internalization and the permeability across the barrier. Besides, functionalization with Tat peptide allowed particles to locate into the nucleus of U251 cells than the non-conjugated NPs. These results suggest that SiO2@Fe3O4-Tat NPs could penetrate the BBB through the transcytosis of brain endothelial cells and magnetically mediated dragging. Therefore, SiO2@Fe3O4-Tat NPs could be exploited as a potential drug delivery system for chemotherapy and gene therapy of brain disease.

  12. Magnetic field effects on mitochondrion-activity-related optical properties in slime mold and bone forming cells.

    PubMed

    Mizukawa, Yuri; Iwasaka, Masakazu

    2013-01-01

    In the present study, a cellular level response of Cyto-aa3 oxidation was investigated in real time under both time-varying and strong static magnetic fields of 5 T. Two kinds of cells, a slime mold, Physarum polycephalum, and bone forming cells, MC-3T3-E1, were used for the experiments. The oxidation level of the Cyto-aa3 was calculated by optical absorptions at 690 nm, 780 nm and 830 nm. The sample, fiber-optics and an additional optical fiber for light stimulation were set in a solenoidal coil or the bore of a 5-T superconducting magnet. The solenoidal coil for time-varying magnetic fields produced sinusoidal magnetic fields of 6 mT. The slime mold showed a periodic change in Cyto-aa3 oxidation, and the oxidation-reduction cycle of Cyto-aa3 was apparently changed when visible-light irradiated the slime mold. Similarly to the case with light, time-varying magnetic stimulations changed the oxidation-reduction cycle during and after the stimulation for 10 minutes. The same phenomena were observed in the MC-3T3-E1 cell assembly, although their cycle rhythm was comparatively random. Finally, magnetic field exposure of up to 5 T exhibited a distinct suppression of Cyto-aa3 oscillation in the bone forming cells. Exposure up to 5 T was repeated five times, and the change in Cyto-aa3 oxidation reproducibly occurred.

  13. Magnetic propulsion of microspheres at liquid-glass interfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Helgesen, Geir

    2018-02-01

    Bio-coated, magnetic microspheres have many applications in biotechnology and medical technology as a tool to separate and extract cells or molecules in a water solution by applying external strong magnetic field gradients. However, magnetic microspheres with or without attached cargo can also be separated in the liquid solution if they are exposed to alternating or rotating, relatively weak magnetic fields. Microspheres that have a higher density than the liquid will approach the bottom surface of the sample cell, and then a combination of viscous and surface frictional forces can propel the magnetic microspheres along the surface in a direction perpendicular to the axis of field rotation. Experiments demonstrating this type of magnetic propulsion are shown, and the forces active in the process are discussed. The motion of particles inside sample cells that were tilted relative to the horizontal direction was studied, and the variation of propulsion velocity as a function of tilt angle was used to find the values of different viscous and mechanical parameters of motion. Propulsion speeds of up to 5 μm/s were observed and were found to be caused by a partly rolling and partly slipping motion of rotating microspheres with a slipping coefficient near 0.6.

  14. A two-step non-flowcytometry-based naïve B cell isolation method and its application in Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) presentation.

    PubMed

    Chokeshai-u-saha, Kaj; Buranapraditkun, Supranee; Jacquet, Alain; Nguyen, Catherine; Ruxrungtham, Kiat

    2012-09-01

    To study the role of human naïve B cells in antigen presentation and stimulation to naïve CD4+ T cell, a suitable method to reproducibly isolate sufficient naïve B cells is required. To improve the purity of isolated naive B cells obtained from a conventional one-step magnetic bead method, we added a rosetting step to enrich total B cell isolates from human whole blood samples prior to negative cell sorting by magnetic beads. The acquired naïve B cells were analyzed for phenotypes and for their role in Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) presentation to naïve CD4+ T cells. The mean (SD) naïve B cell (CD19+/CD27-) purity obtained from this two-step method compared with the one-step method was 97% (1.0) versus 90% (1.2), respectively. This two-step method can be used with a sample of whole blood as small as 10 ml. The isolated naive B cells were phenotypically at a resting state and were able to prime naïve CD4+ T cell activation by Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) presentation. This two-step non-flow cytometry-based approach improved the purity of isolated naïve B cells compared with conventional one-step magnetic bead method. It also worked well with a small blood volume. In addition, this study showed that the isolated naïve B cells can present a super-antigen "SEB" to activate naïve CD4 cells. These methods may thus be useful for further in vitro characterization of human naïve B cells and their roles as antigen presenting cells in various diseases.

  15. Tracing Activity Across the Whole Brain Neural Network with Optogenetic Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Jin Hyung

    2011-01-01

    Despite the overwhelming need, there has been a relatively large gap in our ability to trace network level activity across the brain. The complex dense wiring of the brain makes it extremely challenging to understand cell-type specific activity and their communication beyond a few synapses. Recent development of the optogenetic functional magnetic resonance imaging (ofMRI) provides a new impetus for the study of brain circuits by enabling causal tracing of activities arising from defined cell types and firing patterns across the whole brain. Brain circuit elements can be selectively triggered based on their genetic identity, cell body location, and/or their axonal projection target with temporal precision while the resulting network response is monitored non-invasively with unprecedented spatial and temporal accuracy. With further studies including technological innovations to bring ofMRI to its full potential, ofMRI is expected to play an important role in our system-level understanding of the brain circuit mechanism. PMID:22046160

  16. [Effect of low-intensity electromagnetic fields of industrial frequency on the ultrastructure and proliferative activity of rat's thymus cells].

    PubMed

    Zhitkevich, T I; Bokut', T B; Netukova, N I

    2001-01-01

    Effects of two types of low-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMF) of industrial frequency (50 Hz) on the fine structure and proliferative activity of thymic cells in white rats were studied. It was found that a weak EMF with a prevailing electrical component (380-480 V/m, 120-140 nT1) did not affect the DNA synthesis intensity. An EMF with a stronger magnetic induction (10-15 V/m, 800-1500 nT1) diminished the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and proliferative processes in cultured stimulated lymphocytes. Electron microscopic investigation of the thymus after both types of exposure revealed an accumulation of lymphocytes with pyknotic nuclei and electron-dense cytoplasm, as well as hypoplasia of the vascular endothelium. At the same time, EMF with a prevailing magnetic component produced a more marked negative effect on the ultrastructure of thymic cells, which indicated a lowered secretory activity of epitheliocytes.

  17. Effective elimination of liver cancer stem-like cells by CD90 antibody targeted thermosensitive magnetoliposomes

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Rui; An, Li Y.; Miao, Qin F.; Li, Feng M.; Han, Yong; Wang, Hui X.; Liu, Dang P.; Chen, Rong; Tang, Sha Q.

    2016-01-01

    Aim To investigate the use of thermosensitive magnetoliposomes (TMs) loaded with magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) and the anti-cancer stem cell marker CD90 (CD90@TMs) to target and kill CD90+ liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs). Methods The hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh7 was used to separate CD90+ LCSCs by magnetic-activated cell sorting. CD90@TMs was characterized and their ability to target CD90+ LCSCs was determined. Experiments were used to investigate whether CD90@TMs combined with magnetic hyperthermia could effectively eliminate CD90+ LCSCs. Results The present study demonstrated that CD90+ LCSCs with stem cells properties were successfully isolated. We also successfully prepared CD90@TMs that was almost spherical and uniform with an average diameter of 130±4.6 nm and determined that magnetic iron oxide could be incorporated and retained a superparamagnetic response. CD90@TMs showed good targeting and increased inhibition of CD90+ LCSCs in vitro and in vivo compared to TMs. Conclusion CD90@TMs can be used for controlled and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, which may offer a promising alternative for HCC therapy. PMID:27145285

  18. Validation of Flow Cytometry and Magnetic Bead-Based Methods to Enrich CNS Single Cell Suspensions for Quiescent Microglia.

    PubMed

    Volden, T A; Reyelts, C D; Hoke, T A; Arikkath, J; Bonasera, S J

    2015-12-01

    Microglia are resident mononuclear phagocytes within the CNS parenchyma that intimately interact with neurons and astrocytes to remodel synapses and extracellular matrix. We briefly review studies elucidating the molecular pathways that underlie microglial surveillance, activation, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis; we additionally place these studies in a clinical context. We describe and validate an inexpensive and simple approach to obtain enriched single cell suspensions of quiescent parenchymal and perivascular microglia from the mouse cerebellum and hypothalamus. Following preparation of regional CNS single cell suspensions, we remove myelin debris, and then perform two serial enrichment steps for cells expressing surface CD11b. Myelin depletion and CD11b enrichment are both accomplished using antigen-specific magnetic beads in an automated cell separation system. Flow cytometry of the resultant suspensions shows a significant enrichment for CD11b(+)/CD45(+) cells (perivascular microglia) and CD11b(+)/CD45(-) cells (parenchymal microglia) compared to starting suspensions. Of note, cells from these enriched suspensions minimally express Aif1 (aka Iba1), suggesting that the enrichment process does not evoke significant microglial activation. However, these cells readily respond to a functional challenge (LPS) with significant changes in the expression of molecules specifically associated with microglia. We conclude that methods employing a combination of magnetic-bead based sorting and flow cytometry produce suspensions highly enriched for microglia that are appropriate for a variety of molecular and cellular assays.

  19. Characterizing active cytoskeletal dynamics with magnetic microposts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Yu; Henry, Steven; Crocker, John; Reich, Daniel

    Characterization of an active matter system such as the cellular cytoskeleton requires knowledge of three frequency dependent quantities: the dynamic shear modulus, G*(ω) describing its viscoelasticity, the Fourier power spectrum of forces in the material due to internal force generators f (ω) , and the spectrum of the material's active strain fluctuations x(ω) . Via use of PDMS micropost arrays with magnetic nanowires embedded in selected posts, we measure the local complex modulus of cells through mechanical actuation of the magnetic microposts. The micrometer scale microposts are also used as passive probes to measure simultaneously the frequency dependent strain fluctuations. We present data on 3T3 fibroblasts, where we find power law behavior for both the frequency dependence of cells' modulus | G (ω) | ω 0 . 27 and the power spectrum of strain fluctuations |x(ω) | ω-2 . Results for the power spectrum of active cytoskeletal stresses determined from these two measurements, and implications of this mesoscale characterization of cytoskeletal dynamics for cellular biophysics will also be discussed. Supported in part by NIH Grant 1R01HL127087.

  20. Berberine-loaded Janus nanocarriers for magnetic field-enhanced therapy against hepatocellular carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zheng; Wang, Ying-Shuai; Chang, Zhi-Min; Li, Li; Zhang, Yi; Lu, Meng-Meng; Zheng, Xiao; Li, Mingqiang; Shao, Dan; Li, Jing; Chen, Li; Dong, Wen-Fei

    2017-03-01

    Berberine, an bioactive isoquinolin alkaloid from traditional Chinese herbs, is considered to be a promising agent based on its remarkable activity against hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the clinical application of this nature compound had been hampered owing to its properties such as poor aqueous solubility, low gastrointestinal absorption, and reduced bioavailability. Therefore, we developed Janus magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 -mSiO 2 NPs) consisting of a Fe 3 O 4 head for magnetic targeting and a mesoporous SiO 2 body for berberine delivery. A pH-sensitive group was introduced on the surface of mesoporous silica for berberine loading to develop a tumor microenvironment-responsive nanocarrier, which exhibited uniform morphology, good superparamagnetic properties, high drug-loading amounts, superior endocytic ability, and low cytotoxicity. Berberine-loaded Fe 3 O 4 -mSiO 2 NPs exerted extraordinarily high specificity for hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which was due to the pH-responsive berberine release, as well as higher endocytosis capacity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells rather than normal liver cells. More importantly, an external magnetic field could significantly improve antitumor activity of Ber-loaded Fe 3 O 4 -mSiO 2 NPs through enhancing berberine internalization. Taken together, our results suggest that Janus nanocarriers driven by the magnetic field may provide an effective and safe way to facilitate clinical use of berberine against hepatocellular carcinoma. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  1. 3D Biomimetic Magnetic Structures for Static Magnetic Field Stimulation of Osteogenesis.

    PubMed

    Paun, Irina Alexandra; Popescu, Roxana Cristina; Calin, Bogdan Stefanita; Mustaciosu, Cosmin Catalin; Dinescu, Maria; Luculescu, Catalin Romeo

    2018-02-07

    We designed, fabricated and optimized 3D biomimetic magnetic structures that stimulate the osteogenesis in static magnetic fields. The structures were fabricated by direct laser writing via two-photon polymerization of IP-L780 photopolymer and were based on ellipsoidal, hexagonal units organized in a multilayered architecture. The magnetic activity of the structures was assured by coating with a thin layer of collagen-chitosan-hydroxyapatite-magnetic nanoparticles composite. In vitro experiments using MG-63 osteoblast-like cells for 3D structures with gradients of pore size helped us to find an optimum pore size between 20-40 µm. Starting from optimized 3D structures, we evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively the effects of static magnetic fields of up to 250 mT on cell proliferation and differentiation, by ALP (alkaline phosphatase) production, Alizarin Red and osteocalcin secretion measurements. We demonstrated that the synergic effect of 3D structure optimization and static magnetic stimulation enhances the bone regeneration by a factor greater than 2 as compared with the same structure in the absence of a magnetic field.

  2. 3D Biomimetic Magnetic Structures for Static Magnetic Field Stimulation of Osteogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Paun, Irina Alexandra; Popescu, Roxana Cristina; Calin, Bogdan Stefanita; Mustaciosu, Cosmin Catalin; Dinescu, Maria; Luculescu, Catalin Romeo

    2018-01-01

    We designed, fabricated and optimized 3D biomimetic magnetic structures that stimulate the osteogenesis in static magnetic fields. The structures were fabricated by direct laser writing via two-photon polymerization of IP-L780 photopolymer and were based on ellipsoidal, hexagonal units organized in a multilayered architecture. The magnetic activity of the structures was assured by coating with a thin layer of collagen-chitosan-hydroxyapatite-magnetic nanoparticles composite. In vitro experiments using MG-63 osteoblast-like cells for 3D structures with gradients of pore size helped us to find an optimum pore size between 20–40 µm. Starting from optimized 3D structures, we evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively the effects of static magnetic fields of up to 250 mT on cell proliferation and differentiation, by ALP (alkaline phosphatase) production, Alizarin Red and osteocalcin secretion measurements. We demonstrated that the synergic effect of 3D structure optimization and static magnetic stimulation enhances the bone regeneration by a factor greater than 2 as compared with the same structure in the absence of a magnetic field. PMID:29414875

  3. Enhancing and targeting nucleic acid delivery by magnetic force.

    PubMed

    Plank, Christian; Anton, Martina; Rudolph, Carsten; Rosenecker, Joseph; Krötz, Florian

    2003-08-01

    Insufficient contact of inherently highly active nucleic acid delivery systems with target cells is a primary reason for their often observed limited efficacy. Physical methods of targeting can overcome this limitation and reduce the risk of undesired side effects due to non-target site delivery. The authors and others have developed a novel means of physical targeting, exploiting magnetic force acting on nucleic acid vectors associated with magnetic particles in order to mediate the rapid contact of vectors with target cells. Here, the principles of magnetic drug and nucleic acid delivery are reviewed, and the facts and potentials of the technique for research and therapeutic applications are discussed. Magnetically enhanced nucleic acid delivery - magnetofection - is universally applicable to viral and non-viral vectors, is extraordinarily rapid, simple and yields saturation level transfection at low dose in vitro. The method is useful for site-specific vector targeting in vivo. Exploiting the full potential of the technique requires an interdisciplinary research effort in magnetic field physics, magnetic particle chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation and medical application.

  4. Photospheric Magnetic Flux Transport - Supergranules Rule

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hathaway, David H.; Rightmire-Upton, Lisa

    2012-01-01

    Observations of the transport of magnetic flux in the Sun's photosphere show that active region magnetic flux is carried far from its origin by a combination of flows. These flows have previously been identified and modeled as separate axisymmetric processes: differential rotation, meridional flow, and supergranule diffusion. Experiments with a surface convective flow model reveal that the true nature of this transport is advection by the non-axisymmetric cellular flows themselves - supergranules. Magnetic elements are transported to the boundaries of the cells and then follow the evolving boundaries. The convective flows in supergranules have peak velocities near 500 m/s. These flows completely overpower the superimposed 20 m/s meridional flow and 100 m/s differential rotation. The magnetic elements remain pinned at the supergranule boundaries. Experiments with and without the superimposed axisymmetric photospheric flows show that the axisymmetric transport of magnetic flux is controlled by the advection of the cellular pattern by underlying flows representative of deeper layers. The magnetic elements follow the differential rotation and meridional flow associated with the convection cells themselves -- supergranules rule!

  5. Computational design optimization for microfluidic magnetophoresis

    PubMed Central

    Plouffe, Brian D.; Lewis, Laura H.; Murthy, Shashi K.

    2011-01-01

    Current macro- and microfluidic approaches for the isolation of mammalian cells are limited in both efficiency and purity. In order to design a robust platform for the enumeration of a target cell population, high collection efficiencies are required. Additionally, the ability to isolate pure populations with minimal biological perturbation and efficient off-chip recovery will enable subcellular analyses of these cells for applications in personalized medicine. Here, a rational design approach for a simple and efficient device that isolates target cell populations via magnetic tagging is presented. In this work, two magnetophoretic microfluidic device designs are described, with optimized dimensions and operating conditions determined from a force balance equation that considers two dominant and opposing driving forces exerted on a magnetic-particle-tagged cell, namely, magnetic and viscous drag. Quantitative design criteria for an electromagnetic field displacement-based approach are presented, wherein target cells labeled with commercial magnetic microparticles flowing in a central sample stream are shifted laterally into a collection stream. Furthermore, the final device design is constrained to fit on standard rectangular glass coverslip (60 (L)×24 (W)×0.15 (H) mm3) to accommodate small sample volume and point-of-care design considerations. The anticipated performance of the device is examined via a parametric analysis of several key variables within the model. It is observed that minimal currents (<500 mA) are required to generate magnetic fields sufficient to separate cells from the sample streams flowing at rate as high as 7 ml∕h, comparable to the performance of current state-of-the-art magnet-activated cell sorting systems currently used in clinical settings. Experimental validation of the presented model illustrates that a device designed according to the derived rational optimization can effectively isolate (∼100%) a magnetic-particle-tagged cell population from a homogeneous suspension even in a low abundance. Overall, this design analysis provides a rational basis to select the operating conditions, including chamber and wire geometry, flow rates, and applied currents, for a magnetic-microfluidic cell separation device. PMID:21526007

  6. Enzymatic mechanisms of biological magnetic sensitivity.

    PubMed

    Letuta, Ulyana G; Berdinskiy, Vitaly L; Udagawa, Chikako; Tanimoto, Yoshifumi

    2017-10-01

    Primary biological magnetoreceptors in living organisms is one of the main research problems in magnetobiology. Intracellular enzymatic reactions accompanied by electron transfer have been shown to be receptors of magnetic fields, and spin-dependent ion-radical processes can be a universal mechanism of biological magnetosensitivity. Magnetic interactions in intermediate ion-radical pairs, such as Zeeman and hyperfine (HFI) interactions, in accordance with proposed strict quantum mechanical theory, can determine magnetic-field dependencies of reactions that produce biologically important molecules needed for cell growth. Hyperfine interactions of electrons with nuclear magnetic moments of magnetic isotopes can explain the most important part of biomagnetic sensitivities in a weak magnetic field comparable to the Earth's magnetic field. The theoretical results mean that magnetic-field dependencies of enzymatic reaction rates in a weak magnetic field that can be independent of HFI constant a, if H < a, and are determined by the rate constant of chemical transformations in the enzyme active site. Both Zeeman and HFI interactions predict strong magnetic-field dependence in weak magnetic fields and magnetic-field independence of enzymatic reaction rate constants in strong magnetic fields. The theoretical results can explain the magnetic sensitivity of E. coli cell and demonstrate that intracellular enzymatic reactions are primary magnetoreceptors in living organisms. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:511-521, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Sorting white blood cells in microfabricated arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Castelino, Judith Andrea Rose

    Fractionating white cells in microfabricated arrays presents the potential for detecting cells with abnormal adhesive or deformation properties. A possible application is separating nucleated fetal red blood cells from maternal blood. Since fetal cells are nucleated, it is possible to extract genetic information about the fetus from them. Separating fetal cells from maternal blood would provide a low cost noninvasive prenatal diagnosis for genetic defects, which is not currently available. We present results showing that fetal cells penetrate further into our microfabricated arrays than adult cells, and that it is possible to enrich the fetal cell fraction using the arrays. We discuss modifications to the array which would result in further enrichment. Fetal cells are less adhesive and more deformable than adult white cells. To determine which properties limit penetration, we compared the penetration of granulocytes and lymphocytes in arrays with different etch depths, constriction size, constriction frequency, and with different amounts of metabolic activity. The penetration of lymphocytes and granulocytes into constrained and unconstrained arrays differed qualitatively. In constrained arrays, the cells were activated by repeated shearing, and the number of cells stuck as a function of distance fell superexponentially. In unconstrained arrays the number of cells stuck fell slower than an exponential. We attribute this result to different subpopulations of cells with different sticking parameters. We determined that penetration in unconstrained arrays was limited by metabolic processes, and that when metabolic activity was reduced penetration was limited by deformability. Fetal cells also contain a different form of hemoglobin with a higher oxygen affinity than adult hemoglobin. Deoxygenated cells are paramagnetic and are attracted to high magnetic field gradients. We describe a device which can separate cells using 10 μm magnetic wires to deflect the paramagnetic cells. We present preliminary results from a test system that separates paramagnetic beads from latex beads. The separation is limited by our ability to produce the high field gradients which are necessary to separate cells according to their hemoglobin content, and we present estimates of the magnetic gradients we achieved.

  8. Co-immobilization of cellulase and lysozyme on amino-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles: An activity-tunable biocatalyst for extraction of lipids from microalgae.

    PubMed

    Chen, Qingtai; Liu, Dong; Wu, Chongchong; Yao, Kaisheng; Li, Zhiheng; Shi, Nan; Wen, Fushan; Gates, Ian D

    2018-05-03

    An activity-tunable biocatalyst for Nannochloropsis sp. cell-walls degradation was prepared by co-immobilization of cellulase and lysozyme on the surface of amino-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) employing glutaraldehyde. The competition between cellulase and lysozyme during immobilization was caused by the limited active sites of the MNPs. The maximum recovery of activities (cellulase: 78.9% and lysozyme: 69.6%) were achieved due to synergistic effects during dual-enzyme co-immobilization. The thermal stability in terms of half-life of the co-immobilized enzymes was three times higher than that in free form and had higher catalytic efficiency for hydrolysis of cell walls. Moreover, the co-immobilized enzymes showed greater thermal stability and wider pH tolerance than free enzymes under harsh conditions. Furthermore, the co-immobilized enzymes retained up to 60% of the residual activity after being recycled 6 times. This study provides a feasible approach for the industrialization of enzyme during cell-walls disruption and lipids extraction from Nannochloropsis sp. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  9. Gadolinium-Encapsulating Iron Oxide Nanoprobe as Activatable NMR/MRI Contrast Agent

    PubMed Central

    Santra, Santimukul; Jativa, Samuel D.; Kaittanis, Charalambos; Normand, Guillaume; Grimm, Jan; Perez, J. Manuel

    2012-01-01

    Herein we report a novel gadolinium-encapsulating iron oxide nanoparticle-based activatable NMR/MRI nanoprobe. In our design, Gd-DTPA is encapsulated within the polyacrylic acid (PAA) polymer coating of a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (IO-PAA) yielding a composite magnetic nanoprobe (IO-PAA-Gd-DTPA) with quenched longitudinal spin-lattice magnetic relaxation (T1). Upon release of the Gd-DTPA complex from the nanoprobe's polymeric coating in acidic media, an increase in the T1 relaxation rate (1/T1) of the composite magnetic nanoprobe was observed, indicating a dequenching of the nanoprobe with a corresponding increase in the T1-weighted MRI signal. When a folate-conjugated nanoprobe was incubated in HeLa cells, a cancer cell line overexpressing folate receptors, an increase in the 1/T1 signal was observed. This result suggests that upon receptor-mediated internalization, the composite magnetic nanoprobe degraded within the cell's lysosome acidic (pH = 5.0) environment, resulting in an intracellular release of Gd-DTPA complex with subsequent T1 activation. No change in T1 was observed when the Gd-DTPA complex was chemically conjugated on the surface of the nanoparticle's polymeric coating or when encapsulated in the polymeric coating of a non-magnetic nanoparticle. These results confirmed that the observed (T1) quenching of the composite magnetic nanoprobe is due to the encapsulation and close proximity of the Gd ion to the nanoparticles superparamagnetic iron oxide (IO) core. In addition, when an anticancer drug (Taxol) was co-encapsulated with the Gd-DTPA within the folate receptor targeting composite magnetic nanoprobe, the T1 activation of the probe coincide with the rate of drug release and corresponding cytotoxic effect in cell culture studies. Taken together, these results suggest that our activatable T1 nanoagent could be of great importance for the detection of acidic tumors and assessment of drug targeting and release by MRI. PMID:22809405

  10. Absence of DNA damage after 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure combined with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression.

    PubMed

    Jin, Yeung Bae; Choi, Seo-Hyun; Lee, Jae Seon; Kim, Jae-Kyung; Lee, Ju-Woon; Hong, Seung-Cheol; Myung, Sung Ho; Lee, Yun-Sil

    2014-03-01

    The principal objective of this study was to assess the DNA damage in a normal cell line system after exposure to 60 Hz of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) and particularly in combination with various external factors, via comet assays. NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cells, WI-38 human lung fibroblast cells, L132 human lung epithelial cells, and MCF10A human mammary gland epithelial cells were exposed for 4 or 16 h to a 60-Hz, 1 mT uniform magnetic field in the presence or absence of ionizing radiation (IR, 1 Gy), H(2)O(2) (50 μM), or c-Myc oncogenic activation. The results obtained showed no significant differences between the cells exposed to ELF-MF alone and the unexposed cells. Moreover, no synergistic or additive effects were observed after 4 or 16 h of pre-exposure to 1 mT ELF-MF or simultaneous exposure to ELF-MF combined with IR, H(2)O(2), or c-Myc activation.

  11. Isolation and characterization of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from synovial fluid by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS).

    PubMed

    Jia, Zhaofeng; Liang, Yujie; Xu, Xiao; Li, Xingfu; Liu, Qisong; Ou, Yangkan; Duan, Li; Zhu, Weimin; Lu, Wei; Xiong, Jianyi; Wang, Daping

    2018-03-01

    Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the primary source of cells used for cell-based therapy in tissue engineering. MSCs are found in synovial fluid, a source that could be conveniently used for cartilage tissue engineering. However, the purification and characterization of SF-MSCs has been poorly documented in the literature. Here, we outline an easy-to-perform approach for the isolation and culture of MSCs derived from human synovial fluid (hSF-MSCs). We have successfully purified hSF-MSCs using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) using the MSC surface marker, CD90. Purified SF-MSCs demonstrate significant renewal capacity following several passages in culture. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MACS-sorted CD90 + cells could differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes in vitro. In addition, we show that these cells can generate cartilage tissue in micromass culture as well. This study demonstrates that MACS is a useful tool that can be used for the purification of hSF-MSCs from synovial fluid. The proliferation properties and ability to differentiate into chondrocytes make these hSF-MSCs a promising source of stem cells for applications in cartilage repair. © 2017 International Federation for Cell Biology.

  12. RF-Trapped Chip Scale Helium Ion Pump (RFT-CHIP)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-04-06

    14. ABSTRACT A miniaturized (~1 cc) magnet -less RF electron trap for a helium ion pump is studied, addressing challenges associated with active...pump, ion pump, electron trap, magnet -less, MEMS, radiofrequency 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 19a...scale ion pumps. The Penning cell structure consists of three electrodes (an anode and two cathodes) and a magnet . Planar titanium cathodes are

  13. Preparation and characterization of biocompatible magnetic carbon nanotubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shan, Yan; Chen, Kezheng; Yu, Xuegang; Gao, Lian

    2010-11-01

    Magnetic carbon nanotubes consisting of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) core and Fe3O4 shell were successfully prepared by in situ thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)3 or FeCl3 or Fe(CO)5 in 2-pyrrolidone containing acid treated MWNTs at 240 °C with the protection of nitrogen gas. The samples were characterized by TEM, XRD, SEAD, XPS and superconducting quantum interference device. Also, their biocompatibility was compared with naked carbon nanotubes. The results showed that after coated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the obtained magnetic carbon nanotubes show superparamagnetic characteristic at room temperature, and their blocking temperature is about 80 K. The magnetic properties of the nanotubes are relevant to the content of magnetic particles, increasing content of magnetic nanoparticles leads to higher blocking temperature and saturation magnetization. The results of antimicrobial activities to bacterial cells (Escherichia coli) showed that the MWNTs have antimicrobial activity, while the magnetic nanotubes are biocompatible even with a higher concentration than that of MWNTs.

  14. Aligning the magnetic field of a linear induction accelerator with a low-energy electron beam

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Clark, J.C.; Deadrick, F.J.; Kallman, J.S.

    1989-03-10

    The Experimental Test Accelerator II (ETA-II) linear induction accelerator at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory uses a solenoid magnet in each acceleration cell to focus and transport an electron beam over the length of the accelerator. To control growth of the corkscrew mode the magnetic field must be precisely aligned over the full length of the accelerate. Concentric with each solenoid magnet is sine/cosmic-wound correction coil to steer the beam and correct field errors. A low-energy electron probe traces the central flux line through the accelerator referenced to a mechanical axis that is defined by a copropagating laser beam. Correction coilsmore » are activated to force the central flux line to cross the mechanical axis at the end of each acceleration cell. The ratios of correction coil currents determined by the low-energy electron probe are then kept fixed to correct for field errors during normal operation with an accelerated beam. We describe the construction of the low-energy electron probe and report the results of experiments we conducted to measure magnetic alignment with and without the correction coils activated. 5 refs., 3 figs.« less

  15. On-chip immune cell activation and subsequent time-resolved magnetic bead-based cytokine detection.

    PubMed

    Kongsuphol, Patthara; Liu, Yunxiao; Ramadan, Qasem

    2016-10-01

    Cytokine profiling and immunophenotyping offer great potential for understanding many disease mechanisms, personalized diagnosis, and immunotherapy. Here, we demonstrate a time-resolved detection of cytokine from a single cell cluster using an in situ magnetic immune assay. An array of triple-layered microfluidic chambers was fabricated to enable simultaneous cell culture under perfusion flow and detection of the induced cytokines at multiple time-points. Each culture chamber comprises three fluidic compartments which are dedicated to, cell culture, perfusion and immunoassay. The three compartments are separated by porous membranes, which allow the diffusion of fresh nutrient from the perfusion compartment into the cell culture compartment and cytokines secretion from the cell culture compartment into the immune assay compartment. This structure hence enables capturing the released cytokines without disturbing the cell culture and without minimizing benefit gain from perfusion. Functionalized magnetic beads were used as a solid phase carrier for cytokine capturing and quantification. The cytokines released from differential stimuli were quantified in situ in non-differentiated U937 monocytes and differentiated macrophages.

  16. Magnetically stimulated ciprofloxacin release from polymeric microspheres entrapping iron oxide nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Sirivisoot, Sirinrath; Harrison, Benjamin S

    2015-01-01

    To extend the external control capability of drug release, iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated into polymeric microspheres were used as magnetic media to stimulate drug release using an alternating magnetic field. Chemically synthesized iron oxide NPs, maghemite or hematite, and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin were encapsulated together within polycaprolactone microspheres. The polycaprolactone microspheres entrapping ciprofloxacin and magnetic NPs could be triggered for immediate drug release by magnetic stimulation at a maximum value of 40%. Moreover, the microspheres were cytocompatible with fibroblasts in vitro with a cell viability percentage of more than 100% relative to a nontreated control after 24 hours of culture. Macrophage cell cultures showed no signs of increased inflammatory responses after in vitro incubation for 56 hours. Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus with the magnetic microspheres under an alternating (isolating) magnetic field increased bacterial inhibition further after 2 days and 5 days in a broth inhibition assay. The findings of the present study indicate that iron oxide NPs, maghemite and hematite, can be used as media for stimulation by an external magnetic energy to activate immediate drug release. PMID:26185446

  17. Magnetic domain wall tweezers: a new tool for mechanobiology studies on individual target cells.

    PubMed

    Monticelli, M; Conca, D V; Albisetti, E; Torti, A; Sharma, P P; Kidiyoor, G; Barozzi, S; Parazzoli, D; Ciarletta, P; Lupi, M; Petti, D; Bertacco, R

    2016-08-07

    In vitro tests are of fundamental importance for investigating cell mechanisms in response to mechanical stimuli or the impact of the genotype on cell mechanical properties. In particular, the application of controlled forces to activate specific bio-pathways and investigate their effects, mimicking the role of the cellular environment, is becoming a prominent approach in the emerging field of mechanobiology. Here, we present an on-chip device based on magnetic domain wall manipulators, which allows the application of finely controlled and localized forces on target living cells. In particular, we demonstrate the application of a magnetic force in the order of hundreds of pN on the membrane of HeLa cells cultured on-chip, via manipulation of 1 μm superparamagnetic beads. Such a mechanical stimulus produces a sizable local indentation of the cellular membrane of about 2 μm. Upon evaluation of the beads' position within the magnetic field originated by the domain wall, the force applied during the experiments is accurately quantified via micromagnetic simulations. The obtained value is in good agreement with that calculated by the application of an elastic model to the cellular membrane.

  18. Isolation and Characterization of Rat Pituitary Endothelial Cells

    PubMed Central

    Chaturvedi, Kirti; Sarkar, Dipak K.

    2010-01-01

    Most previous studies that determined the effect of estradiol on angiogenesis used endothelial cells from nonpituitary sources. Because pituitary tumor tissue receives its blood supply via portal and arterial circulation, it is important to use pituitary-derived endothelial cells in studying pituitary angiogenesis. We have developed a magnetic separation technique to isolate endothelial cells from pituitary tissues and have characterized these cells in primary cultures. Endothelial cells of the pituitary showed the existence of endothelial cell marker, CD31, and of von Willebrand factor protein. These cells in cultures also showed immunore-activity of estrogen receptors alpha and beta. The angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, significantly increased proliferation and migration of the pituitary-derived endothelial cells in primary cultures. These results suggest that a magnetic separation technique can be used for enrichment of pituitary-derived endothelial cells for determination of cellular mechanisms governing the vascularization in the pituitary. PMID:17028416

  19. Magnetic Separation and Antibiotics Selection Enable Enrichment of Cells with ZFN/TALEN-Induced Mutations

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Choong-il; Kim, Hyongbum; Kim, Jin-Soo

    2013-01-01

    The ability to enrich cells with targeted mutations greatly facilitates the process of using engineered nucleases, including zinc-finger nucleases and transcription activator-like effector nucleases, to construct such cells. We previously used surrogate reporters to enrich cells containing nuclease-induced mutations via flow cytometry. This method is, however, limited by the availability of flow cytometers. Furthermore, sorted cells occasionally fail to form colonies after exposure to a strong laser and hydrostatic pressure. Here we describe two different types of novel reporters that enable mutant cell enrichment without the use of flow cytometers. We designed reporters that express H-2Kk, a surface antigen, and the hygromycin resistance protein (HygroR), respectively, when insertions or deletions are generated at the target sequences by the activity of engineered nucleases. After cotransfection of these reporters and the engineered nuclease-encoding plasmids, H-2Kk- and HygroR-expressing cells were isolated using magnetic separation and hygromycin treatment, respectively. We found that mutant cells were drastically enriched in the isolated cells, suggesting that these two reporters enable efficient enrichment of mutants. We propose that these two reporters will greatly facilitate the use of engineered nucleases in a wider range of biomedical research. PMID:23441197

  20. In vitro activity of the new water-dispersible Fe3O4@usnic acid nanostructure against planktonic and sessile bacterial cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai; Cotar, Ani Ioana; Andronescu, Ecaterina; Ficai, Anton; Ghitulica, Cristina Daniela; Grumezescu, Valentina; Vasile, Bogdan Stefan; Chifiriuc, Mariana Carmen

    2013-07-01

    A new water-dispersible nanostructure based on magnetite (Fe3O4) and usnic acid (UA) was prepared in a well-shaped spherical form by a precipitation method. Nanoparticles were well individualized and homogeneous in size. The presence of Fe3O4@UA was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The UA was entrapped in the magnetic nanoparticles during preparation and the amount of entrapped UA was estimated by thermogravimetric analysis. Fabricated nanostructures were tested on planktonic cells growth (minimal inhibitory concentration assay) and biofilm development on Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus), Enterococcus faecalis ( E. faecalis) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli ( E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) reference strains. Concerning the influence of Fe3O4@UA on the planktonic bacterial cells, the functionalized magnetic nanoparticles exhibited a significantly improved antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis and E. coli, as compared with the Fe3O4 control. The UA incorporated into the magnetic nanoparticles exhibited a very significant inhibitory effect on the biofilm formed by the S. aureus and E. faecalis, on a wide range of concentrations, while in case of the Gram-negative microbial strains, the UA-loaded nanoparticles inhibited the E. coli biofilm development, only at high concentrations, while for P. aeruginosa biofilms, no inhibitory effect was observed. The obtained results demonstrate that the new water-dispersible Fe3O4@UA nanosystem, combining the advantages of the intrinsic antimicrobial features of the UA with the higher surface to volume ratio provided by the magnetic nanocarrier dispersible in water, exhibits efficient antimicrobial activity against planktonic and adherent cells, especially on Gram-positive strains.

  1. Tracking of adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells using two magnetic nanoparticle types

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kasten, Annika; Siegmund, Birte J.; Grüttner, Cordula; Kühn, Jens-Peter; Frerich, Bernhard

    2015-04-01

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is to be considered as an emerging detection technique for cell tracking experiments to evaluate the fate of transplanted progenitor cells and develop successful cell therapies for tissue engineering. Adipose tissue engineering using adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells has been advocated for the cure of soft tissue defects or for persistent soft tissue augmentation. Adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells were differentiated into the adipogenic lineage and labeled with two different types of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in varying concentrations which resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction of gene expression of adipogenic differentiation markers, adiponectin and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), whereas the metabolic activity was not altered. As a result, only low nanoparticle concentrations for labeling were used for in vivo experiments. Cells were seeded onto collagen scaffolds and subcutaneously implanted into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. At 24 h as well as 28 days after implantation, MRI analyses were performed visualizing nanoparticle-labeled cells using T2-weighted sequences. The quantification of absolute volume of the scaffolds revealed a decrease of volume over time in all experimental groups. The distribution of nanoparticle-labeled cells within the scaffolds varied likewise over time.

  2. Magnetic pattern at supergranulation scale: the void size distribution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berrilli, F.; Scardigli, S.; Del Moro, D.

    2014-08-01

    The large-scale magnetic pattern observed in the photosphere of the quiet Sun is dominated by the magnetic network. This network, created by photospheric magnetic fields swept into convective downflows, delineates the boundaries of large-scale cells of overturning plasma and exhibits "voids" in magnetic organization. These voids include internetwork fields, which are mixed-polarity sparse magnetic fields that populate the inner part of network cells. To single out voids and to quantify their intrinsic pattern we applied a fast circle-packing-based algorithm to 511 SOHO/MDI high-resolution magnetograms acquired during the unusually long solar activity minimum between cycles 23 and 24. The computed void distribution function shows a quasi-exponential decay behavior in the range 10-60 Mm. The lack of distinct flow scales in this range corroborates the hypothesis of multi-scale motion flows at the solar surface. In addition to the quasi-exponential decay, we have found that the voids depart from a simple exponential decay at about 35 Mm.

  3. Application of a weak magnetic field to improve microbial fuel cell performance.

    PubMed

    Tong, Zhong-Hua; Yu, Han-Qing; Li, Wen-Wei; Wang, Yun-Kun; Sun, Min; Liu, Xian-Wei; Sheng, Guo-Ping

    2015-12-01

    Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for wastewater treatment with concomitant energy production but the performance is usually limited by low microbial activities. This has spurred intensive research interest for microbial enhancement. This study demonstrated an interesting stimulation effect of a static magnetic field (MF) on sludge-inoculated MFCs and explored into the mechanisms. The implementation of a 100-mT MF accelerated the reactor startup and led to increased electricity generation. Under the MF exposure, the activation loss of the MFC was decreased, but there was no increased secretion of redox mediators. Thus, the MF effect was mainly due to enhanced bioelectrochemical activities of anodic microorganisms, which are likely attributed to the oxidative stress and magnetohydrodynamic effects under an MF exposure. This work implies that weak MF may be applied as a simple and effective approach to stimulate microbial activities for various bioelectrochemical energy production and decontamination applications.

  4. Surface engineered magnetic nanoparticles for specific immunotargeting of cadherin expressing cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moros, Maria; Delhaes, Flavien; Puertas, Sara; Saez, Berta; de la Fuente, Jesús M.; Grazú, Valeria; Feracci, Helene

    2016-02-01

    In spite of historic advances in cancer biology and recent development of sophisticated chemotherapeutics, the outlook for patients with advanced cancer is still grim. In this sense nanoparticles (NPs), through their unique physical properties, enable the development of new approaches for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Thus far the most used active targeting scheme involves NPs functionalization with antibodies specific to molecules overexpressed on cancer cell’s surface. Therefore, such active targeting relies on differences in NPs uptake kinetics rates between tumor and healthy cells. Many cancers of epithelial origin are associated with the inappropriate expression of non-epithelial cadherins (e.g. N-, P-, -11) with concomitant loss of E-cadherin. Such phenomenon named cadherin switching favors tumor development and metastasis via interactions of tumor cells with stromal components. That is why we optimized the oriented functionalization of fluorescently labelled magnetic NPs with a novel antibody specific for the extracellular domain of cadherin-11. The obtained Ab-NPs exhibited high specificity when incubated with two cell lines used as models of tumor and healthy cells. Thus, cadherin switching offers a great opportunity for the development of active targeting strategies aimed to improve the early detection and treatment of cancer.

  5. Horseradish peroxidase-immobilized magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a potential candidate to eliminate intracellular reactive oxygen species.

    PubMed

    Shen, Yajing; Zhang, Ye; Zhang, Xiang; Zhou, Xiuhong; Teng, Xiyao; Yan, Manqing; Bi, Hong

    2015-02-21

    Horseradish peroxidase-immobilized magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs-HRP) have been synthesized by a NHS/EDC coupling between the amino groups of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and the carboxyl groups on the MMSNs surface. It is found that the immobilized HRP on MMSNs still retain high activity and the MMSNs-HRP can eliminate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells induced by the addition of H2O2 aqueous solution. Further, the fluorescent MMSN-HRP-CD nanoparticles have been prepared by attaching biocompatible, fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) to MMSNs-HRP. We have also investigated the effect of an applied magnetic field on cellular uptake of MMSNs-HRP-CDs and found that the internalization of MMSNs-HRP-CDs by CHO cells could be enhanced within 2 hours under the magnetic field. This work provides us with a novel and efficient method to eliminate ROS in living cells by using HRP-immobilized nanoparticles.

  6. Effect of stationary magnetic field strengths of 150 and 200 mT on reactive oxygen species production in soybean.

    PubMed

    Shine, M B; Guruprasad, K N; Anand, Anjali

    2012-07-01

    Our previous investigation reported the beneficial effect of pre-sowing magnetic treatment for improving germination parameters and biomass accumulation in soybean. In this study, soybean seeds treated with static magnetic fields of 150 and 200 mT for 1 h were evaluated for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were measured in embryos and hypocotyls of germinating seeds by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and kinetics of superoxide production; hydrogen peroxide and antioxidant activities were estimated spectrophotometrically. Magnetic field treatment resulted in enhanced production of ROS mediated by cell wall peroxidase while ascorbic acid content, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activity decreased in the hypocotyl of germinating seeds. An increase in the cytosolic peroxidase activity indicated that this antioxidant enzyme had a vital role in scavenging the increased H(2)O(2) produced in seedlings from the magnetically treated seeds. Hence, these studies contribute to our first report on the biochemical basis of enhanced germination and seedling growth in magnetically treated seeds of soybean in relation to increased production of ROS. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Immunomagnetic cell separation, imaging, and analysis using Captivate ferrofluids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jones, Laurie; Beechem, Joseph M.

    2002-05-01

    We have developed applications of CaptivateTM ferrofluids, paramagnetic particles (approximately 200 nm diameter), for isolating and analyzing cell populations in combination with fluorescence-based techniques. Using a microscope-mounted magnetic yoke and sample insertion chamber, fluorescent images of magnetically captured cells were obtained in culture media, buffer, or whole blood, while non-magnetically labeled cells sedimented to the bottom of the chamber. We combined this immunomagnetic cell separation and imaging technique with fluorescent staining, spectroscopy, and analysis to evaluate cell surface receptor-containing subpopulations, live/dead cell ratios, apoptotic/dead cell ratios, etc. The acquired images were analyzed using multi-color parameters, as produced by nucleic acid staining, esterase activity, or antibody labeling. In addition, the immunomagnetically separated cell fractions were assessed through microplate analysis using the CyQUANT Cell Proliferation Assay. These methods should provide an inexpensive alternative to some flow cytometric measurements. The binding capacities of the streptavidin- labled Captivate ferrofluid (SA-FF) particles were determined to be 8.8 nmol biotin/mg SA-FF, using biotin-4- fluorescein, and > 106 cells/mg SA-FF, using several cell types labeled with biotinylated probes. For goat anti- mouse IgG-labeled ferrofluids (GAM-FF), binding capacities were established to be approximately 0.2 - 7.5 nmol protein/mg GAM-FF using fluorescent conjugates of antibodies, protein G, and protein A.

  8. Cerebral signal intensity abnormalities on T2-weighted MR images in HIV patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy: relationship with clinical parameters and interval changes.

    PubMed

    Hanning, Uta; Husstedt, Ingo W; Niederstadt, Thomas-Ulrich; Evers, Stefan; Heindel, Walter; Kloska, Stephan P

    2011-09-01

    The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between immune state and cerebral signal intensity abnormalities (SIAs) on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images in subjects with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy. Thirty-two subjects underwent a total of 109 magnetic resonance studies. The presence of human immunodeficiency virus-associated neurocognitive disorder, categorized CD4(+) T lymphocyte count, and plasma viral load were assessed for relationship with the severity and interval change of SIAs for different anatomic locations of the brain. Subjects with multifocal patterns of SIAs had CD4(+) cell counts < 200 cells/μL in 66.0%, whereas subjects with diffuse patterns of SIAs had CD4(+) cell counts < 200 cells/μL in only 31.4% (P < .001). Subjects without SIAs in the basal ganglia had CD4(+) cell counts < 200 cells/μL in 37.0%, whereas subjects with minor and moderate SIAs in the basal ganglia had CD4(+) cell counts < 200 cells/μL in 78.3% and 80.0%, respectively (P < .005). The percentage of subjects with CD4(+) cell counts < 200 cells/μL was 85.7% when there were progressive periventricular SIA changes and 45.5% when periventricular SIA changes were stable in follow-up (P < .05). The presence and progression of cerebral SIAs on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images reflecting cerebral infection with human immunodeficiency virus are significantly related to impaired immune state as measured by CD4(+) cell count. Copyright © 2011 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Unmasking Silent Endothelial Activation in the Cardiovascular System Using Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

    PubMed

    Belliere, Julie; Martinez de Lizarrondo, Sara; Choudhury, Robin P; Quenault, Aurélien; Le Béhot, Audrey; Delage, Christine; Chauveau, Dominique; Schanstra, Joost P; Bascands, Jean-Loup; Vivien, Denis; Gauberti, Maxime

    2015-01-01

    Endothelial activation is a hallmark of cardiovascular diseases, acting either as a cause or a consequence of organ injury. To date, we lack suitable methods to measure endothelial activation in vivo. In the present study, we developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method allowing non-invasive endothelial activation mapping in the vasculature of the main organs affected during cardiovascular diseases. In clinically relevant contexts in mice (including systemic inflammation, acute and chronic kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus and normal aging), we provided evidence that this method allows detecting endothelial activation before any clinical manifestation of organ failure in the brain, kidney and heart with an exceptional sensitivity. In particular, we demonstrated that diabetes mellitus induces chronic endothelial cells activation in the kidney and heart. Moreover, aged mice presented activated endothelial cells in the kidneys and the cerebrovasculature. Interestingly, depending on the underlying condition, the temporospatial patterns of endothelial activation in the vascular beds of the cardiovascular system were different. These results demonstrate the feasibility of detecting silent endothelial activation occurring in conditions associated with high cardiovascular risk using molecular MRI.

  10. Unmasking Silent Endothelial Activation in the Cardiovascular System Using Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    PubMed Central

    Belliere, Julie; Martinez de Lizarrondo, Sara; Choudhury, Robin P.; Quenault, Aurélien; Le Béhot, Audrey; Delage, Christine; Chauveau, Dominique; Schanstra, Joost P.; Bascands, Jean-Loup; Vivien, Denis; Gauberti, Maxime

    2015-01-01

    Endothelial activation is a hallmark of cardiovascular diseases, acting either as a cause or a consequence of organ injury. To date, we lack suitable methods to measure endothelial activation in vivo. In the present study, we developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method allowing non-invasive endothelial activation mapping in the vasculature of the main organs affected during cardiovascular diseases. In clinically relevant contexts in mice (including systemic inflammation, acute and chronic kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus and normal aging), we provided evidence that this method allows detecting endothelial activation before any clinical manifestation of organ failure in the brain, kidney and heart with an exceptional sensitivity. In particular, we demonstrated that diabetes mellitus induces chronic endothelial cells activation in the kidney and heart. Moreover, aged mice presented activated endothelial cells in the kidneys and the cerebrovasculature. Interestingly, depending on the underlying condition, the temporospatial patterns of endothelial activation in the vascular beds of the cardiovascular system were different. These results demonstrate the feasibility of detecting silent endothelial activation occurring in conditions associated with high cardiovascular risk using molecular MRI. PMID:26379785

  11. Single molecule actuation and detection on a lab-on-a-chip magnetoresistive platform

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chaves, R. C.; Bensimon, D.; Freitas, P. P.

    2011-03-01

    On-chip magnetic tweezers based on current loops were integrated with magnetoresistive sensors. Magnetic forces up to 1.0±0.3pN are produced to actuate on DNA anchored to the surface of a flow cell and labeled with micrometer-sized magnetic beads. The levitation of the beads stretches the immobilized DNA. The relative position of the magnetic beads is monitored using spin-valve sensors. A bead vertical displacement resolution of 60nm is derived for DNA molecular motor activity in a tweezer steady current regime.

  12. Efficient treatment of breast cancer xenografts with multifunctionalized iron oxide nanoparticles combining magnetic hyperthermia and anti-cancer drug delivery.

    PubMed

    Kossatz, Susanne; Grandke, Julia; Couleaud, Pierre; Latorre, Alfonso; Aires, Antonio; Crosbie-Staunton, Kieran; Ludwig, Robert; Dähring, Heidi; Ettelt, Volker; Lazaro-Carrillo, Ana; Calero, Macarena; Sader, Maha; Courty, José; Volkov, Yuri; Prina-Mello, Adriele; Villanueva, Angeles; Somoza, Álvaro; Cortajarena, Aitziber L; Miranda, Rodolfo; Hilger, Ingrid

    2015-05-13

    Tumor cells can effectively be killed by heat, e.g. by using magnetic hyperthermia. The main challenge in the field, however, is the generation of therapeutic temperatures selectively in the whole tumor region. We aimed to improve magnetic hyperthermia of breast cancer by using innovative nanoparticles which display a high heating potential and are functionalized with a cell internalization and a chemotherapeutic agent to increase cell death. The superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MF66) were electrostatically functionalized with either Nucant multivalent pseudopeptide (N6L; MF66-N6L), doxorubicin (DOX; MF66-DOX) or both (MF66-N6LDOX). Their cytotoxic potential was assessed in a breast adenocarcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231. Therapeutic efficacy was analyzed on subcutaneous MDA-MB-231 tumor bearing female athymic nude mice. All nanoparticle variants showed an excellent heating potential around 500 W/g Fe in the alternating magnetic field (AMF, conditions: H=15.4 kA/m, f=435 kHz). We could show a gradual inter- and intracellular release of the ligands, and nanoparticle uptake in cells was increased by the N6L functionalization. MF66-DOX and MF66-N6LDOX in combination with hyperthermia were more cytotoxic to breast cancer cells than the respective free ligands. We observed a substantial tumor growth inhibition (to 40% of the initial tumor volume, complete tumor regression in many cases) after intratumoral injection of the nanoparticles in vivo. The proliferative activity of the remaining tumor tissue was distinctly reduced. The therapeutic effects of breast cancer magnetic hyperthermia could be strongly enhanced by the combination of MF66 functionalized with N6L and DOX and magnetic hyperthermia. Our approach combines two ways of tumor cell killing (magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy) and represents a straightforward strategy for translation into the clinical practice when injecting nanoparticles intratumorally.

  13. Magnetic-plasmonic multilayered nanorods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thumthan, Orathai

    Multilayered nanorods which consist of alternating magnetic layers separated by Au layers combine two distinctive properties, magnetic properties and surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) properties into one nano-entity. Their magnetic properties are tunable by changing the layer thickness, varying from single domain to superparamagnetic state. Superparamagnetic is a key requirement for magnetic nanoparticles for bioapplications. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles exhibit high magnetic moments at low applied magnetic field while retain no magnetic moments when magnetic field is removed preventing them from aggregation due to magnetic attraction. Au layers in the nanorods provide anchorage sites for functional group attachment. Also, Au nanodisks exhibit SPR properties. The SPR peak can be tuned from 540 nm to 820 nm by controlling the thickness of magnetic segments while keeping Au thickness constant. In this research, there are three types of multilayered nanorod have been fabricated: Au/NiFe nanorods, Au/Fe nanorods, and Au/Co nanorods. These magnetic nanorods were fabricated by templated electrodeposition into the channels in Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) membrane. The setup for AAO fabrication was developed as a part of this research. Our fabricated AAO membrane has channels with a diameter ranging from 40nm to 80 nm and a thickness of 10um to 12um. Magnetic properties of nanorods such as saturation field, saturation moment, coercivity and remanence are able to manipulate through their shape anisotropy. The magnetization will be easier in long axis rather than short axis of particle. In addition, Au nanodisks in the nanorod structure are not only serving as anchorage sites for functional groups but also provide SPR properties. Under irradiation of light Au nanodisks strongly absorb light at SPR frequency which ranging from 540 nm to 820 nm by controlling the thickness of magnetic segments while keeping Au thickness constant. The SPR tunability of nanorods in near-infrared region can be used in in-vivo biomedical applications such as photo thermal therapy because tissue has an absorption maximum in the infrared range. The magnetic nanorods were explored for the following two applications: 1) as active component orientation-tunable ferrogel for cell culture matrix, 2) as MRI contrast agent. The results show that Au/NiFe magnetic nanorods can be aligned along applied magnetic field. Using MTT assay for 3T3 fibroblast cells, the biocompatibility of Au/Co nanorods was investigated. It shows that cell proliferation after 72 hours of incubation with nanorods decreases as the concentration of nanorods increases. However, cell viability quantified by counting dead cell/live cell reveals that only few cells died after three days of incubation. Au/Co multilayered nanorods were tested as T2 MRI-contrast agent, and a very large relaxivity was observed. In summary, we have successfully fabricated multilayered nanorods with tunability in both magnetic and SPR properties. These nanorods can potentially be used in biological and biomedical fields.

  14. Biofunctionalized magnetic-vortex microdiscs for targeted cancer-cell destruction

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Dong-Hyun; Rozhkova, Elena A.; Ulasov, Ilya V.; Bader, Samuel D.; Rajh, Tijana; Lesniak, Maciej S.; Novosad, Valentyn

    2009-01-01

    Nanomagnetic materials offer exciting avenues for probing cell mechanics and activating mechanosensitive ion channels, as well as for advancing cancer therapies. Most experimental works so far have used superparamagnetic materials. This report describes a first approach based on interfacing cells with lithographically defined microdiscs that possess a spin-vortex ground state. When an alternating magnetic field is applied the microdisc vortices shift, creating an oscillation, which transmits a mechanical force to the cell. Because reduced sensitivity of cancer cells toward apoptosis leads to inappropriate cell survival and malignant progression, selective induction of apoptosis is of great importance for the anticancer therapeutic strategies. We show that the spin-vortex-mediated stimulus creates two dramatic effects: compromised integrity of the cellular membrane, and initiation of programmed cell death. A low-frequency field of a few tens of hertz applied for only ten minutes was sufficient to achieve ~90% cancer-cell destruction in vitro. PMID:19946279

  15. Molecular mechanism of biological and therapeutical effect of low-intensity laser irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mostovnikov, Vasili A.; Mostovnikova, Galina R.; Plavski, Vitali Y.; Plavskaja, Ljudmila G.; Morozova, Raisa P.

    1995-05-01

    The investigations carried out in our group on biological systems of various organization level (enzyme molecules in solution, human and animal cell cultures), allowed us to conclude, that the light-induced changes of spatial structure of cells components form the basis of biological activity (and as a consequence therapeutic effect) of various wavelength low-intensity laser emission. Photophysical mechanism of these changes lies in the reorientation of highregulated anisotropic parts (domains) with the liquid-crystalline type of ordering of the cell components due to the interaction between the electric field and the light induced integral electric dipole of the domain. The mechanism of such reorientation is well established in physics of liquid crystals of nematic type and is known as light induced analogue of Frederix's effect. The following results enable us to draw the conclusion about the determining role of the orientations effects on the biological activity mechanism of low-intensity laser radiation: (i) the possibility of reversible modification of spatial structure and enzyme molecules functional activity under the influence of laser radiation outside the band of their own or admixture absorption; (ii) the dependence of biological effect of laser radiation on the functional activity of cells vs. polarization degree of the light with the maximum photobiological effects observed for linear-polarized radiation; (iii) the equivalence of a static magnetic field and low-intensity laser radiation in action on functional activity of the cells and the lowering of the laser field intensity for the achieving the difinite changes of the cell functional activity in the presence of static magnetic field.

  16. Biophysical principles of regulatory action of low-intensity laser irradiation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mostovnikov, Vasili A.; Mostovnikova, Galina R.; Plavski, Vitali Y.; Plavskaja, Ljudmila G.

    1996-01-01

    The investigations carried out in our group on biological systems of various organization level (enzyme molecules in solution, human and animal cell cultures), allowed us to conclude, that the light-induced changes of spatial structure of cells components form the basis of biological activity (and as a consequence therapeutic effect) of various wavelength low-intensity laser emission. Photophysical mechanism of these changes lies in the reorientation of highregulated anisotropic parts (domains) with the liquid-crystalline type of ordering of the cell components due to the interaction between the electric field and the light induced integral electric dipole of the domain. The mechanism of such reorientation is well established in physics of liquid crystals of nematic type and is known as light induced analogue of Frederix's effect. The following results enable us to draw the conclusion about the determining role of the orientations effects on the biological activity mechanism of low-intensity laser radiation: (1) the possibility of reversible modification of spatial structure and enzyme molecules functional activity under the influence of laser radiation outside the band of their own or admixture absorption; (2) the dependence of biological effect of laser radiation on the functional activity of cells vs. polarization degree of the light with the maximum photobiological effects observed for linear-polarized radiation; (3) the equivalence of a static magnetic field and low-intensity laser radiation in action on functional activity of the cells and the lowering of the laser field intensity for the achieving the definite changes of the cell functional activity in the presence of static magnetic field.

  17. Life on magnets: stem cell networking on micro-magnet arrays.

    PubMed

    Zablotskii, Vitalii; Dejneka, Alexandr; Kubinová, Šárka; Le-Roy, Damien; Dumas-Bouchiat, Frédéric; Givord, Dominique; Dempsey, Nora M; Syková, Eva

    2013-01-01

    Interactions between a micro-magnet array and living cells may guide the establishment of cell networks due to the cellular response to a magnetic field. To manipulate mesenchymal stem cells free of magnetic nanoparticles by a high magnetic field gradient, we used high quality micro-patterned NdFeB films around which the stray field's value and direction drastically change across the cell body. Such micro-magnet arrays coated with parylene produce high magnetic field gradients that affect the cells in two main ways: i) causing cell migration and adherence to a covered magnetic surface and ii) elongating the cells in the directions parallel to the edges of the micro-magnet. To explain these effects, three putative mechanisms that incorporate both physical and biological factors influencing the cells are suggested. It is shown that the static high magnetic field gradient generated by the micro-magnet arrays are capable of assisting cell migration to those areas with the strongest magnetic field gradient, thereby allowing the build up of tunable interconnected stem cell networks, which is an elegant route for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

  18. Life on Magnets: Stem Cell Networking on Micro-Magnet Arrays

    PubMed Central

    Zablotskii, Vitalii; Dejneka, Alexandr; Kubinová, Šárka; Le-Roy, Damien; Dumas-Bouchiat, Frédéric; Givord, Dominique; Dempsey, Nora M.; Syková, Eva

    2013-01-01

    Interactions between a micro-magnet array and living cells may guide the establishment of cell networks due to the cellular response to a magnetic field. To manipulate mesenchymal stem cells free of magnetic nanoparticles by a high magnetic field gradient, we used high quality micro-patterned NdFeB films around which the stray field’s value and direction drastically change across the cell body. Such micro-magnet arrays coated with parylene produce high magnetic field gradients that affect the cells in two main ways: i) causing cell migration and adherence to a covered magnetic surface and ii) elongating the cells in the directions parallel to the edges of the micro-magnet. To explain these effects, three putative mechanisms that incorporate both physical and biological factors influencing the cells are suggested. It is shown that the static high magnetic field gradient generated by the micro-magnet arrays are capable of assisting cell migration to those areas with the strongest magnetic field gradient, thereby allowing the build up of tunable interconnected stem cell networks, which is an elegant route for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. PMID:23936425

  19. Phase-transitional Fe3O4/perfluorohexane Microspheres for Magnetic Droplet Vaporization.

    PubMed

    Wang, Ronghui; Zhou, Yang; Zhang, Ping; Chen, Yu; Gao, Wei; Xu, Jinshun; Chen, Hangrong; Cai, Xiaojun; Zhang, Kun; Li, Pan; Wang, Zhigang; Hu, Bing; Ying, Tao; Zheng, Yuanyi

    2017-01-01

    Activating droplets vaporization has become an attractive strategy for ultrasound imaging and physical therapy due to the significant increase in ultrasound backscatter signals and its ability to physically damage the tumor cells. However, the current two types of transitional droplets named after their activation methods have their respective limitations. To circumvent the limitations of these activation methods, here we report the concept of magnetic droplet vaporization (MDV) for stimuli-responsive cancer theranostics by a magnetic-responsive phase-transitional agent. This magnetic-sensitive phase-transitional agent-perfluorohexane (PFH)-loaded porous magnetic microspheres (PFH-PMMs), with high magnetic-thermal energy-transfer capability, could quickly respond to external alternating current (AC) magnetic fields to produce thermal energy and trigger the vaporization of the liquid PFH. We systematically demonstrated MDV both in vitro and in vivo. This novel trigger method with deep penetration can penetrate the air-filled viscera and trigger the vaporization of the phase-transitional agent without the need of pre-focusing lesion. This unique MDV strategy is expected to substantially broaden the biomedical applications of nanotechnology and promote the clinical treatment of tumors that are not responsive to chemical therapies.

  20. 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles with Dual Functional Properties: Nanothermotherapy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Lingyun; Zheng, Yajing; Yan, Hao; Xie, WenSheng; Sun, Xiaodan; Li, Ning; Tang, Jintian

    2016-03-01

    Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with appropriate surface chemistry have attracted wild attention in medical and biological application because of their current and potential usefulness such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement, magnetic mediated hyperthermia (MMH), immunoassay, and in drug delivery, etc. In this study, we investigated the MRI contrast agents and MMH mediators properties of the novel 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) modified SPIONs. As a non-metabolizable glucose analogue, 2-DG can block glycolysis and inhibits protein glycosylation. Moreover, SPIONs coated with 2-DG molecules can be particularly attractive to resource-hungry cancer cells, therefore to realize the targeting strategy for the SPIONs. SPIONs with amino silane as the capping agent for amino-group surface modification were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method with modification. Glutaraldehyde was further applied as an activation agent through which 2-DG was conjugated to the amino-coated SPIONs. Physicochemical characterizations of the 2-DG-SPIONs, such as surface morphology, surface charge and magnetic properties were investigated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), ζ-Potential and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), etc. Magnetic inductive heating characteristics of the 2-DG-SPIONs were analyzed by exposing the SPIONs suspension (magnetic fluid) under alternative magnetic field (AMF). U-251 human glioma cells with expression of glucose transport proteins type 1 and 3 (GLUT1 and GLUT 3), and L929 murine fibroblast cell as negative control, were employed to study the effect of 2-DG modification on the cell uptake for SPIONs. TEM images for ultra-thin sections as well as ICP-MS were applied to evaluate the SPIONs internalization within the cells. In vitro MRI was performed after cells were co-incubated with SPIONs and the T2 relaxation time was measured and compared. The results demonstrate that 2-DG-SPIONs were supermagnetic and in spherical shape with -10 nm diameter. Possessing ideal magnetic inductive heating characteristics, which can generate very rapid and efficient heating while upon AMF exposure, 2-DG-SPIONs can be applied as novel candidature of magnetic nanothermotherapy for cancer treatment. Modification of 2-DG can greatly promote the cell uptake of SPIONs and such cellular uptake of 2-DG-SPIONs was time dependent. Surface coating by 2-DG can remarkably enhance the MR imaging ability for the SPIONs on the cells of U251 cancer cells. In summary, our investigation provides a novel glucose analogue modified SPIONs with potential application in the targeting cancer nanothermotherapy and MR imaging.

  1. Wireless-powered electroactive soft microgripper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cheong, Hau Ran; Teo, Choon Yee; Leow, Pei Ling; Lai, Koon Chun; Chee, Pei Song

    2018-05-01

    This paper presents a wireless powered single active finger ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) based microgripper that is operated using external radio-frequency (RF) magnetic field for biological cell manipulation application. A unimorph-like active finger is fabricated by integrating the IPMC actuator to the planar resonant LC receiver and DC rectifier circuits (made of flexible double-sided copper clad polyimide). The finger activated when the device is exposed to the external magnetic field generated by transmitter circuit that matches the resonant frequency of LC receiver circuit, ∼13.6 MHz in magnetic resonant coupling power transfer mechanism. The fabricated prototype shows a maximum IPMC deflection of 0.765 mm (activation force of 0.17 mN) at the RF power of 0.65 W with 3.5 VDC supplied from the LC receiver circuit. Three repeated ON-OFF wireless activation cycle was performed with the reported cumulative deflection of 0.57 mm. The cumulative deflection was increased to 1.17 mm, 1.19 mm and 1.24 mm for three different samples respectively at 5 VDC supplied. As a proof of concept, fish egg was used to represent the biological cell manipulation operation. The microgripper successfully gripped the fish egg sample without any damages. The experiments result validates the effectiveness of wireless RF soft microgripper towards the target application.

  2. Ultra-fast stem cell labelling using cationised magnetoferritin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Correia Carreira, S.; Armstrong, J. P. K.; Seddon, A. M.; Perriman, A. W.; Hartley-Davies, R.; Schwarzacher, W.

    2016-03-01

    Magnetic cell labelling with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) facilitates many important biotechnological applications, such as cell imaging and remote manipulation. However, to achieve adequate cellular loading of SPIONs, long incubation times (24 hours and more) or laborious surface functionalisation are often employed, which can adversely affect cell function. Here, we demonstrate that chemical cationisation of magnetoferritin produces a highly membrane-active nanoparticle that can magnetise human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) using incubation times as short as one minute. Magnetisation persisted for several weeks in culture and provided significant T2* contrast enhancement during magnetic resonance imaging. Exposure to cationised magnetoferritin did not adversely affect the membrane integrity, proliferation and multi-lineage differentiation capacity of hMSCs, which provides the first detailed evidence for the biocompatibility of magnetoferritin. The combination of synthetic ease and flexibility, the rapidity of labelling and absence of cytotoxicity make this novel nanoparticle system an easily accessible and versatile platform for a range of cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine.Magnetic cell labelling with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) facilitates many important biotechnological applications, such as cell imaging and remote manipulation. However, to achieve adequate cellular loading of SPIONs, long incubation times (24 hours and more) or laborious surface functionalisation are often employed, which can adversely affect cell function. Here, we demonstrate that chemical cationisation of magnetoferritin produces a highly membrane-active nanoparticle that can magnetise human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) using incubation times as short as one minute. Magnetisation persisted for several weeks in culture and provided significant T2* contrast enhancement during magnetic resonance imaging. Exposure to cationised magnetoferritin did not adversely affect the membrane integrity, proliferation and multi-lineage differentiation capacity of hMSCs, which provides the first detailed evidence for the biocompatibility of magnetoferritin. The combination of synthetic ease and flexibility, the rapidity of labelling and absence of cytotoxicity make this novel nanoparticle system an easily accessible and versatile platform for a range of cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed characterisation data, and controls of the magnetisation and toxicological profiling studies. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07144e

  3. Imaging of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Bone Tissue

    PubMed Central

    Gade, Terence P.; Motley, Matthew W.; Beattie, Bradley J.; Bhakta, Roshni; Boskey, Adele L.; Koutcher, Jason A.; Mayer-Kuckuk, Philipp

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to develop a paradigm for quantitative molecular imaging of bone cell activity. We hypothesized the feasibility of non-invasive imaging of the osteoblast enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) using a small imaging molecule in combination with 19Flourine magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (19FMRSI). 6, 8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (DiFMUP), a fluorinated ALP substrate that is activatable to a fluorescent hydrolysis product was utilized as a prototype small imaging molecule. The molecular structure of DiFMUP includes two Fluorine atoms adjacent to a phosphate group allowing it and its hydrolysis product to be distinguished using 19Fluorine magnetic resonance spectroscopy (19FMRS) and 19FMRSI. ALP-mediated hydrolysis of DiFMUP was tested on osteoblastic cells and bone tissue, using serial measurements of fluorescence activity. Extracellular activation of DiFMUP on ALP-positive mouse bone precursor cells was observed. Concurringly, DiFMUP was also activated on bone derived from rat tibia. Marked inhibition of the cell and tissue activation of DiFMUP was detected after the addition of the ALP inhibitor levamisole. 19FMRS and 19FMRSI were applied for the non-invasive measurement of DiFMUP hydrolysis. 19FMRS revealed a two-peak spectrum representing DiFMUP with an associated chemical shift for the hydrolysis product. Activation of DiFMUP by ALP yielded a characteristic pharmacokinetic profile, which was quantifiable using non-localized 19FMRS and enabled the development of a pharmacokinetic model of ALP activity. Application of 19FMRSI facilitated anatomically accurate, non-invasive imaging of ALP concentration and activity in rat bone. Thus, 19FMRSI represents a promising approach for the quantitative imaging of bone cell activity during bone formation with potential for both preclinical and clinical applications. PMID:21799916

  4. Improved Mitochondrial and Methylglyoxal-Related Metabolisms Support Hyperproliferation Induced by 50 Hz Magnetic Field in Neuroblastoma Cells.

    PubMed

    Falone, Stefano; Santini, Silvano; di Loreto, Silvia; Cordone, Valeria; Grannonico, Marta; Cesare, Patrizia; Cacchio, Marisa; Amicarelli, Fernanda

    2016-09-01

    Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) are common environmental agents that are suspected to promote later stages of tumorigenesis, especially in brain-derived malignancies. Even though ELF magnetic fields have been previously linked to increased proliferation in neuroblastoma cells, no previous work has studied whether ELF-MF exposure may change key biomolecular features, such as anti-glycative defence and energy re-programming, both of which are currently considered as crucial factors involved in the phenotype and progression of many malignancies. Our study investigated whether the hyperproliferation that is induced in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells by a 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF magnetic field is supported by an improved defense towards methylglyoxal (MG), which is an endogenous cancer-static and glycating α-oxoaldehyde, and by rewiring of energy metabolism. Our findings show that not only the ELF magnetic field interfered with the biology of neuron-derived malignant cells, by de-differentiating further the cellular phenotype and by increasing the proliferative activity, but also triggered cytoprotective mechanisms through the enhancement of the defense against MG, along with a more efficient management of metabolic energy, presumably to support the rapid cell outgrowth. Intriguingly, we also revealed that the MF-induced bioeffects took place after an initial imbalance of the cellular homeostasis, which most likely created a transient unstable milieu. The biochemical pathways and molecular targets revealed in this research could be exploited for future approaches aimed at limiting or suppressing the deleterious effects of ELF magnetic fields. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2014-2025, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Cell mediated therapeutics for cancer treatment: Tumor homing cells as therapeutic delivery vehicles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Balivada, Sivasai

    Many cell types were known to have migratory properties towards tumors and different research groups have shown reliable results regarding cells as delivery vehicles of therapeutics for targeted cancer treatment. Present report discusses proof of concept for 1. Cell mediated delivery of Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and targeted Magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) as a cancer treatment by using in vivo mouse cancer models, 2. Cells surface engineering with chimeric proteins for targeted cancer treatment by using in vitro models. 1. Tumor homing cells can carry MNPs specifically to the tumor site and tumor burden will decrease after alternating magnetic field (AMF) exposure. To test this hypothesis, first we loaded Fe/Fe3O4 bi-magnetic NPs into neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which were previously shown to migrate towards melanoma tumors. We observed that NPCs loaded with MNPs travel to subcutaneous melanoma tumors. After alternating magnetic field (AMF) exposure, the targeted delivery of MNPs by the NPCs resulted in a mild decrease in tumor size (Chapter-2). Monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Ma) are known to infiltrate tumor sites, and also have phagocytic activity which can increase their uptake of MNPs. To test Mo/Ma-mediated MHT we transplanted Mo/Ma loaded with MNPs into a mouse model of pancreatic peritoneal carcinomatosis. We observed that MNP-loaded Mo/Ma infiltrated pancreatic tumors and, after AMF treatment, significantly prolonged the lives of mice bearing disseminated intraperitoneal pancreatic tumors (Chapter-3). 2. Targeted cancer treatment could be achieved by engineering tumor homing cell surfaces with tumor proteases cleavable, cancer cell specific recombinant therapeutic proteins. To test this, Urokinase and Calpain (tumor specific proteases) cleavable; prostate cancer cell (CaP) specific (CaP1 targeting peptide); apoptosis inducible (Caspase3 V266ED3)- rCasp3V266ED3 chimeric protein was designed in silico. Hypothesized membrane anchored chimeric protein (rCasp3V266ED3, rMcherry red) plasmids were constructed. Membrane anchoring and activity of designed proteins were analyzed in RAW264.7 Mo/Ma and HEK293 cells in vitro. Further, Urokinase (uPA) mediated cleavage and release of rCasp3V266ED3 from engineered cells was tested (Chapter-4). Animal models for cancer therapy are invaluable for preclinical testing of potential cancer treatments. Final chapter of present report shows evidence for immune-deficient line of pigs as a model for human cancers (Chapter-5)

  6. Evaluation program for secondary spacecraft cells. Initial evaluation tests of General Electric Company 4.0 ampere-hour nickel-cadmium spacecraft cells for the AMPTE satellite program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Harkness, J. D.

    1984-01-01

    Cells found to have electrolyte leakage, internal shorts, low capacity, or inability of any cell to recover its open circuit voltage above 1.150 volts during the internal short test are addressed. The Active Magnetic Particle Tracer Explorer (AMPTE) cell design was characterized and the effects of specific mission parameters on cell life were demonstrated.

  7. Magnetic-Fe/Fe(3)O(4)-nanoparticle-bound SN38 as carboxylesterase-cleavable prodrug for the delivery to tumors within monocytes/macrophages.

    PubMed

    Wang, Hongwang; Shrestha, Tej B; Basel, Matthew T; Dani, Raj Kumar; Seo, Gwi-Moon; Balivada, Sivasai; Pyle, Marla M; Prock, Heidy; Koper, Olga B; Thapa, Prem S; Moore, David; Li, Ping; Chikan, Viktor; Troyer, Deryl L; Bossmann, Stefan H

    2012-01-01

    The targeted delivery of therapeutics to the tumor site is highly desirable in cancer treatment, because it is capable of minimizing collateral damage. Herein, we report the synthesis of a nanoplatform, which is composed of a 15 ± 1 nm diameter core/shell Fe/Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and the topoisomerase I blocker SN38 bound to the surface of the MNPs via a carboxylesterase cleavable linker. This nanoplatform demonstrated high heating ability (SAR = 522 ± 40 W/g) in an AC-magnetic field. For the purpose of targeted delivery, this nanoplatform was loaded into tumor-homing double-stable RAW264.7 cells (mouse monocyte/macrophage-like cells (Mo/Ma)), which have been engineered to express intracellular carboxylesterase (InCE) upon addition of doxycycline by a Tet-On Advanced system. The nanoplatform was taken up efficiently by these tumor-homing cells. They showed low toxicity even at high nanoplatform concentration. SN38 was released successfully by switching on the Tet-On Advanced system. We have demonstrated that this nanoplatform can be potentially used for thermochemotherapy. We will be able to achieve the following goals: (1) Specifically deliver the SN38 prodrug and magnetic nanoparticles to the cancer site as the payload of tumor-homing double-stable RAW264.7 cells; (2) Release of chemotherapeutic SN38 at the cancer site by means of the self-containing Tet-On Advanced system; (3) Provide localized magnetic hyperthermia to enhance the cancer treatment, both by killing cancer cells through magnetic heating and by activating the immune system.

  8. Effects of pulsed magnetic stimulation on tumor development and immune functions in mice.

    PubMed

    Yamaguchi, Sachiko; Ogiue-Ikeda, Mari; Sekino, Masaki; Ueno, Shoogo

    2006-01-01

    We investigated the effects of pulsed magnetic stimulation on tumor development processes and immune functions in mice. A circular coil (inner diameter = 15 mm, outer diameter = 75 mm) was used in the experiments. Stimulus conditions were pulse width = 238 micros, peak magnetic field = 0.25 T (at the center of the coil), frequency = 25 pulses/s, 1,000 pulses/sample/day and magnetically induced eddy currents in mice = 0.79-1.54 A/m(2). In an animal study, B16-BL6 melanoma model mice were exposed to the pulsed magnetic stimulation for 16 days from the day of injection of cancer cells. A tumor growth study revealed a significant tumor weight decrease in the stimulated group (54% of the sham group). In a cellular study, B16-BL6 cells were also exposed to the magnetic field (1,000 pulses/sample, and eddy currents at the bottom of the dish = 2.36-2.90 A/m(2)); however, the magnetically induced eddy currents had no effect on cell viabilities. Cytokine production in mouse spleens was measured to analyze the immunomodulatory effect after the pulsed magnetic stimulation. tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) production in mouse spleens was significantly activated after the exposure of the stimulus condition described above. These results showed the first evidence of the anti-tumor effect and immunomodulatory effects brought about by the application of repetitive magnetic stimulation and also suggested the possible relationship between anti-tumor effects and the increase of TNF-alpha levels caused by pulsed magnetic stimulation.

  9. Isolation, purification, culture and characterisation of myoepithelial cells from normal and neoplastic canine mammary glands using a magnetic-activated cell sorting separation system.

    PubMed

    Sánchez-Céspedes, R; Maniscalco, L; Iussich, S; Martignani, E; Guil-Luna, S; De Maria, R; Martín de Las Mulas, J; Millán, Y

    2013-08-01

    Mammary gland tumours, the most common malignant neoplasm in bitches, often display myoepithelial (ME) cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to isolate, purify, culture and characterise ME cells from normal and neoplastic canine mammary glands. Monodispersed cells from three normal canine mammary glands and five canine mammary tumours were incubated with an anti-Thy1 antibody and isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). Cells isolated from two normal glands (cell lines CmME-N1 and CmME-N2) and four tumours (cell lines CmME-K1 from a complex carcinoma, CmME-K2 from a simple tubulopapillary carcinoma, and CmME-K3 and CmME-K4 from two carcinomas within benign tumours) were cultured in supplemented DMEM/F12 media for 40days. Cell purity was >90%. Tumour-derived ME cell lines exhibited heterogeneous morphology, growth patterns and immunocytochemical expression of cytokeratins, whereas cell lines from normal glands retained their morphology and levels of cytokeratin expression during culture. Cell lines from normal glands and carcinomas within benign tumours grew more slowly than those from simple and complex carcinomas. This methodology has the potential to be used for in vitro analysis of the role of ME cells in the growth and progression of canine mammary tumours. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. The force analysis for superparamagnetic nanoparticles-based gene delivery in an oscillating magnetic field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Jiajia; Shi, Zongqian; Jia, Shenli; Zhang, Pengbo

    2017-04-01

    Due to the peculiar magnetic properties and the ability to function in cell-level biological interaction, superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SMNP) have been being the attractive carrier for gene delivery. The superparamagnetic nanoparticles with surface-bound gene vector can be attracted to the surface of cells by the Kelvin force provided by external magnetic field. In this article, the influence of the oscillating magnetic field on the characteristics of magnetofection is studied in terms of the magnetophoretic velocity. The magnetic field of a cylindrical permanent magnet is calculated by equivalent current source (ECS) method, and the Kelvin force is derived by using the effective moment method. The results show that the static magnetic field accelerates the sedimentation of the particles, and drives the particles inward towards the axis of the magnet. Based on the investigation of the magnetophoretic velocity of the particle under horizontally oscillating magnetic field, an oscillating velocity within the amplitude of the magnet oscillation is observed. Furthermore, simulation results indicate that the oscillating amplitude plays an important role in regulating the active region, where the particles may present oscillating motion. The analysis of the magnetophoretic velocity gives us an insight into the physical mechanism of the magnetofection. It's also helpful to the optimal design of the magnetofection system.

  11. Impact of surface coated magnetite used in magnetic drug delivery system on immune response

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oaku, Yoshihiro; Tamada, Junya; Mishima, Fumihito; Akiyama, Yoko; Osako, Mariana Kiomy; Koriyama, Hiroshi; Nakagami, Hironori; Nishijima, Shigehiro

    2015-05-01

    Magnetic drug delivery system (MDDS) is a technique to effectively accumulate drugs, which are combined with ferromagnetic particles, into the affected area using magnetic force control. This study intends to apply MDDS for immunotherapy by enhancing immune responses by a surface treatment of a ferromagnetic particle. The objective of this study is to give the adjuvant effect to a ferromagnetic particle by the surface treatment with alum, which is known as one of the common adjuvants that activates inflammasome pathway. First, magnetite was prepared as a ferromagnetic particle and coated with alum. Alum-coated magnetite increased the expression of caspase-1, which is an activated indicator of inflammasome, in the culture of human monocyte cell (THP-1 cell). To evaluate the potential of the surface coated particles, the particles were subcutaneously injected to mice with a peptide vaccine. As a result, the antibody titer was increased by the surface coated particles as assessed by ELISA. Although a magnetic force has not yet applied in this study, the administration experiment to mice using magnetic force control is our next step. In conclusion, we modified the immune response to magnetite by coating the surface with alum. This can lead to a clinical application for vaccine therapy in future.

  12. Real-time measurement of biomagnetic vector fields in functional syncytium using amorphous metal.

    PubMed

    Nakayama, Shinsuke; Uchiyama, Tusyoshi

    2015-03-06

    Magnetic field detection of biological electric activities would provide a non-invasive and aseptic estimate of the functional state of cellular organization, namely a syncytium constructed with cell-to-cell electric coupling. In this study, we investigated the properties of biomagnetic waves which occur spontaneously in gut musculature as a typical functional syncytium, by applying an amorphous metal-based gradio-magneto sensor operated at ambient temperature without a magnetic shield. The performance of differentiation was improved by using a single amorphous wire with a pair of transducer coils. Biomagnetic waves of up to several nT were recorded ~1 mm below the sample in a real-time manner. Tetraethyl ammonium (TEA) facilitated magnetic waves reflected electric activity in smooth muscle. The direction of magnetic waves altered depending on the relative angle of the muscle layer and magneto sensor, indicating the existence of propagating intercellular currents. The magnitude of magnetic waves rapidly decreased to ~30% by the initial and subsequent 1 mm separations between sample and sensor. The large distance effect was attributed to the feature of bioelectric circuits constructed by two reverse currents separated by a small distance. This study provides a method for detecting characteristic features of biomagnetic fields arising from a syncytial current.

  13. Real-time Measurement of Biomagnetic Vector Fields in Functional Syncytium Using Amorphous Metal

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nakayama, Shinsuke; Uchiyama, Tusyoshi

    2015-03-01

    Magnetic field detection of biological electric activities would provide a non-invasive and aseptic estimate of the functional state of cellular organization, namely a syncytium constructed with cell-to-cell electric coupling. In this study, we investigated the properties of biomagnetic waves which occur spontaneously in gut musculature as a typical functional syncytium, by applying an amorphous metal-based gradio-magneto sensor operated at ambient temperature without a magnetic shield. The performance of differentiation was improved by using a single amorphous wire with a pair of transducer coils. Biomagnetic waves of up to several nT were recorded ~1 mm below the sample in a real-time manner. Tetraethyl ammonium (TEA) facilitated magnetic waves reflected electric activity in smooth muscle. The direction of magnetic waves altered depending on the relative angle of the muscle layer and magneto sensor, indicating the existence of propagating intercellular currents. The magnitude of magnetic waves rapidly decreased to ~30% by the initial and subsequent 1 mm separations between sample and sensor. The large distance effect was attributed to the feature of bioelectric circuits constructed by two reverse currents separated by a small distance. This study provides a method for detecting characteristic features of biomagnetic fields arising from a syncytial current.

  14. The combined effect of thermal and chemotherapy on HeLa cells using magnetically actuated smart textured fibrous system.

    PubMed

    Tiwari, Pranav; Agarwal, Sakshi; Srivastava, Sachchidanand; Jain, Shilpee

    2018-01-01

    Thermal therapy combined with chemotherapy is one of the advanced and efficient methods to eradicate cancer. In this work, we fabricated magnetically actuated smart textured (MAST) fibrous systems and studied their candidacy for cancer treatment. The polycaprolactone-Fe 3 O 4 based MAST fibers were fabricated using electrospinning technique. These MAST fibrous systems contained carbogenic quantum dots as a tracking agent and doxorubicin hydrochloride anticancer drug. Additionally, as fabricated MAST fibrous systems were able to deliver anticancer drug and heat energy simultaneously to kill HeLa cells in a 10 min period in vitro. After treatment, the metabolic activity and morphology of HeLa cells were analyzed. In addition, the mechanism of cell death was studied using flow cytometry. Interestingly, the navigation of these systems in the fluid can be controlled with the application of gradient magnetic field. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 40-51, 2018. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  15. Electricity and Magnetism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Glazebrook, R. T.

    2016-10-01

    1. Electrostatics: fundamental facts; 2. Electricity as a measurable quantity; 3. Measurement of electric force and potential; 4. Condensers; 5. Electrical machines; 6. Measurement of potential and electric force; 7. Magnetic attraction and repulsion; 8. Laws of magnetic force; 9. Experiments with magnets; 10. Magnetic calculations; 11. Magnetic measurements; 12. Terrestrial magnetism; 13. The electric current; 14. Relation between electromagnetic force and current; 15. Measurement of current; 16. Measurement of resistance and electromotive force; 17. Measurement of quantity of electricity, condensers; 18. Thermal activity of a current; 19. The voltaic cell (theory); 20. Electromagnetism; 21. Magnetisation of iron; 22. Electromagnetic instruments; 23. Electromagnetic induction; 24. Applications of electromagnetic induction; 25. Telegraphy and telephony; 26. Electric waves; 27. Transference of electricity through gases: corpuscles and electrons; Answers to examples; Index.

  16. Real-Time Analysis of Magnetic Hyperthermia Experiments on Living Cells under a Confocal Microscope.

    PubMed

    Connord, Vincent; Clerc, Pascal; Hallali, Nicolas; El Hajj Diab, Darine; Fourmy, Daniel; Gigoux, Véronique; Carrey, Julian

    2015-05-01

    Combining high-frequency alternating magnetic fields (AMF) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is an efficient way to induce biological responses through several approaches: magnetic hyperthermia, drug release, controls of gene expression and neurons, or activation of chemical reactions. So far, these experiments cannot be analyzed in real-time during the AMF application. A miniaturized electromagnet fitting under a confocal microscope is built, which produces an AMF of frequency and amplitude similar to the ones used in magnetic hyperthermia. AMF application induces massive damages to tumoral cells having incorporated nanoparticles into their lysosomes without affecting the others. Using this setup, real-time analyses of molecular events occurring during AMF application are performed. Lysosome membrane permeabilization and reactive oxygen species production are detected after only 30 min of AMF application, demonstrating they occur at an early stage in the cascade of events leading eventually to cell death. Additionally, lysosomes self-assembling into needle-shaped organization under the influence of AMF is observed in real-time. This experimental approach will permit to get a deeper insight into the physical, molecular, and biological process occurring in several innovative techniques used in nanomedecine based on the combined use of MNPs and high-frequency magnetic fields. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  17. Fundamentals and Application of Magnetic Particles in Cell Isolation and Enrichment

    PubMed Central

    Plouffe, Brian D.; Murthy, Shashi K.; Lewis, Laura H.

    2014-01-01

    Magnetic sorting using magnetic beads has become a routine methodology for the separation of key cell populations from biological suspensions. Due to the inherent ability of magnets to provide forces at a distance, magnetic cell manipulation is now a standardized process step in numerous processes in tissue engineering, medicine, and in fundamental biological research. Herein we review the current status of magnetic particles to enable isolation and separation of cells, with a strong focus on the fundamental governing physical phenomena, properties and syntheses of magnetic particles and on current applications of magnet-based cell separation in laboratory and clinical settings. We highlight the contribution of cell separation to biomedical research and medicine and detail modern cell separation methods (both magnetic and non-magnetic). In addition to a review of the current state-of-the-art in magnet-based cell sorting, we discuss current challenges and available opportunities for further research, development and commercialization of magnetic particle-based cell separation systems. PMID:25471081

  18. Cell labeling with magnetic nanoparticles: Opportunity for magnetic cell imaging and cell manipulation

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    This tutorial describes a method of controlled cell labeling with citrate-coated ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. This method may provide basically all kinds of cells with sufficient magnetization to allow cell detection by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to enable potential magnetic manipulation. In order to efficiently exploit labeled cells, quantify the magnetic load and deliver or follow-up magnetic cells, we herein describe the main requirements that should be applied during the labeling procedure. Moreover we present some recommendations for cell detection and quantification by MRI and detail magnetic guiding on some real-case studies in vitro and in vivo. PMID:24564857

  19. HER2 expression in breast cancer cells is downregulated upon active targeting by antibody-engineered multifunctional nanoparticles in mice.

    PubMed

    Corsi, Fabio; Fiandra, Luisa; De Palma, Clara; Colombo, Miriam; Mazzucchelli, Serena; Verderio, Paolo; Allevi, Raffaele; Tosoni, Antonella; Nebuloni, Manuela; Clementi, Emilio; Prosperi, Davide

    2011-08-23

    Subcellular destiny of targeted nanoparticles in cancer cells within living organisms is still an open matter of debate. By in vivo and ex vivo experiments on tumor-bearing mice treated with antibody-engineered magnetofluorescent nanocrystals, in which we combined fluorescence imaging, magnetic relaxation, and trasmission electron microscopy approaches, we provide evidence that nanoparticles are effectively delivered to the tumor by active targeting. These nanocrystals were demonstrated to enable contrast enhancement of the tumor in magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, we were able to discriminate between the fate of the organic corona and the metallic core upon cell internalization. Accurate immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that hybrid nanoparticle endocytosis is mediated by the complex formation with HER2 receptor, leading to a substantial downregulation of HER2 protein expression on the cell surface. These results provide a direct insight into the pathway of internalization and degradation of targeted hybrid nanoparticles in cancer cells in vivo and suggest a potential application of this immunotheranostic nanoagent in neoadjuvant therapy of cancer. © 2011 American Chemical Society

  20. Magnetic Gold Nanoparticle-Labeled Heparanase Monoclonal Antibody and its Subsequent Application for Tumor Magnetic Resonance Imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Ning; Jie, Meng-Meng; Yang, Min; Tang, Li; Chen, Si-Yuan; Sun, Xue-Mei; Tang, Bo; Yang, Shi-Ming

    2018-04-01

    Heparanase (HPA) is ubiquitously expressed in various metastatic malignant tumors; previous studies have demonstrated that HPA was a potential tumor-associated antigen (TAA) for tumor immunotherapy. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of HPA as a common TAA for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumor metastasis and its potential application in tumor molecular imaging. We prepared a targeted probe based on magnetic gold nanoparticles coupled with an anti-HPA antibody for the specific detection of HPA by MRI. The specificity of the targeted probe was validated in vitro by incubation of the probe with various tumor cells, and the probe was able to selectively detect HPA (+) cells. We found the probes displayed significantly reduced signal intensity in several tumor cells, and the signal intensity decreased significantly after the targeted probe was injected in tumor-bearing nude mice. In the study, we demonstrated that the HPA&GoldMag probe had excellent physical and chemical properties and immune activities and could specifically target many tumor cell tissues both in vitro and in vivo. This may provide an experimental base for molecular imaging of tumor highly expressing heparanase using HPA mAbs.

  1. Screening of Peptide Libraries against Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis in a Disposable Microfluidic Cartridge

    PubMed Central

    Kogot, Joshua M.; Zhang, Yanting; Moore, Stephen J.; Pagano, Paul; Stratis-Cullum, Dimitra N.; Chang-Yen, David; Turewicz, Marek; Pellegrino, Paul M.; de Fusco, Andre; Soh, H. Tom; Stagliano, Nancy E.

    2011-01-01

    Bacterial surface peptide display has gained popularity as a method of affinity reagent generation for a wide variety of applications ranging from drug discovery to pathogen detection. In order to isolate the bacterial clones that express peptides with high affinities to the target molecule, multiple rounds of manual magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) followed by multiple rounds of fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) are conventionally used. Although such manual methods are effective, alternative means of library screening which improve the reproducibility, reduce the cost, reduce cross contamination, and minimize exposure to hazardous target materials are highly desired for practical application. Toward this end, we report the first semi-automated system demonstrating the potential for screening bacterially displayed peptides using disposable microfluidic cartridges. The Micro-Magnetic Separation platform (MMS) is capable of screening a bacterial library containing 3×1010 members in 15 minutes and requires minimal operator training. Using this system, we report the isolation of twenty-four distinct peptide ligands that bind to the protective antigen (PA) of Bacilus anthracis in three rounds of selection. A consensus motif WXCFTC was found using the MMS and was also found in one of the PA binders isolated by the conventional MACS/FACS approach. We compared MMS and MACS rare cell recovery over cell populations ranging from 0.1% to 0.0000001% and found that both magnetic sorting methods could recover cells down to 0.0000001% initial cell population, with the MMS having overall lower standard deviation of cell recovery. We believe the MMS system offers a compelling approach towards highly efficient, semi-automated screening of molecular libraries that is at least equal to manual magnetic sorting methods and produced, for the first time, 15-mer peptide binders to PA protein that exhibit better affinity and specificity than peptides isolated using conventional MACS/FACS. PMID:22140433

  2. Magnetic Enrichment of Dendritic Cell Vaccine in Lymph Node with Fluorescent-Magnetic Nanoparticles Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy

    PubMed Central

    Jin, Honglin; Qian, Yuan; Dai, Yanfeng; Qiao, Sha; Huang, Chuan; Lu, Lisen; Luo, Qingming; Chen, Jing; Zhang, Zhihong

    2016-01-01

    Dendritic cell (DC) migration to the lymph node is a key component of DC-based immunotherapy. However, the DC homing rate to the lymphoid tissues is poor, thus hindering the DC-mediated activation of antigen-specific T cells. Here, we developed a system using fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles (α-AP-fmNPs; loaded with antigen peptide, iron oxide nanoparticles, and indocyanine green) in combination with magnetic pull force (MPF) to successfully manipulate DC migration in vitro and in vivo. α-AP-fmNPs endowed DCs with MPF-responsiveness, antigen presentation, and simultaneous optical and magnetic resonance imaging detectability. We showed for the first time that α-AP-fmNP-loaded DCs were sensitive to MPF, and their migration efficiency could be dramatically improved both in vitro and in vivo through MPF treatment. Due to the enhanced migration of DCs, MPF treatment significantly augmented antitumor efficacy of the nanoparticle-loaded DCs. Therefore, we have developed a biocompatible approach with which to improve the homing efficiency of DCs and subsequent anti-tumor efficacy, and track their migration by multi-modality imaging, with great potential applications for DC-based cancer immunotherapy. PMID:27698936

  3. Magnetization of individual yeast cells by in situ formation of iron oxide on cell surfaces

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choi, Jinsu; Lee, Hojae; Choi, Insung S.; Yang, Sung Ho

    2017-09-01

    Magnetic functionalization of living cells has intensively been investigated with the aim of various bioapplications such as selective separation, targeting, and localization of the cells by using an external magnetic field. However, the magnetism has not been introduced to individual living cells through the in situ chemical reactions because of harsh conditions required for synthesis of magnetic materials. In this work, magnetic iron oxide was formed on the surface of living cells by optimizing reactions conditions to be mild sufficiently enough to sustain cell viability. Specifically, the reactive LbL strategy led to formation of magnetically responsive yeast cells with iron oxide shells. This facile and direct post-magnetization method would be a useful tool for remote manipulation of living cells with magnetic interactions, which is an important technique for the integration of cell-based circuits and the isolation of cell in microfluidic devices.

  4. An Assessment of Gadonanotubes as Magnetic Nanolabels for Improved Stem Cell Detection and Retention in Cardiomyoplasty

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tran, Lesa A.

    In this work, gadolinium-based carbon nanocapsules are developed as a novel nanotechnology that addresses the shortcomings of current diagnostic and therapeutic methods of stem cell-based cardiomyoplasty. With cardiovascular disease (CVD) responsible for approximately 30% of deaths worldwide, the growing need for improved cardiomyoplasty has spurred efforts in nanomedicine to develop innovative techniques to enhance the therapeutic retention and diagnostic tracking of transplanted cells. Having previously been demonstrated as a high-performance T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, Gadonanotubes (GNTs) are shown for the first time to intracellularly label pig bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Without the use of a transfection agent, micromolar concentrations of GNTs deliver up to 109 Gd3+ ions per cell, allowing for MSCs to be visualized in a 1.5 T clinical MRI scanner. The cellular response to the intracellular incorporation of GNTs is also assessed, revealing that GNTs do not compromise the viability, differentiation potential, or phenotype characteristics of the MSCs. However, it is also found that GNT-labeled MSCs exhibit a decreased response to select cell adhesion proteins and experience a nonapoptotic, non-proliferative cell cycle arrest, from which the cells recover 48 h after GNT internalization. In tandem with developing GNTs as a new stem cell diagnostic agent, this current work also explores for the first time the therapeutic application of the magnetically-active GNTs as a magnetic facilitator to increase the retention of transplanted stem cells during cardiomyoplasty. In vitro flow chamber assays, ex vivo perfusion experiments, and in vivo porcine injection procedures all demonstrate the increased magnetic-assisted retention of GNT-labeled MSCs in the presence of an external magnetic field. These studies prove that GNTs are a powerful 'theranostic' agent that provides a novel platform to simultaneously monitor and improve the therapeutic nature of stem cells for the treatment of CVD. It is expected that this new nanotechnology will further catalyze the development of cellular cardiomyoplasty and other stem cellbased therapies for the prevention, detection, and treatment of human diseases.

  5. Magnetic poly(ε-caprolactone)/iron-doped hydroxyapatite nanocomposite substrates for advanced bone tissue engineering

    PubMed Central

    Gloria, A.; Russo, T.; D'Amora, U.; Zeppetelli, S.; D'Alessandro, T.; Sandri, M.; Bañobre-López, M.; Piñeiro-Redondo, Y.; Uhlarz, M.; Tampieri, A.; Rivas, J.; Herrmannsdörfer, T.; Dediu, V. A.; Ambrosio, L.; De Santis, R.

    2013-01-01

    In biomedicine, magnetic nanoparticles provide some attractive possibilities because they possess peculiar physical properties that permit their use in a wide range of applications. The concept of magnetic guidance basically spans from drug delivery and hyperthermia treatment of tumours, to tissue engineering, such as magneto-mechanical stimulation/activation of cell constructs and mechanosensitive ion channels, magnetic cell-seeding procedures, and controlled cell proliferation and differentiation. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to develop fully biodegradable and magnetic nanocomposite substrates for bone tissue engineering by embedding iron-doped hydroxyapatite (FeHA) nanoparticles in a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix. X-ray diffraction analyses enabled the demonstration that the phase composition and crystallinity of the magnetic FeHA were not affected by the process used to develop the nanocomposite substrates. The mechanical characterization performed through small punch tests has evidenced that inclusion of 10 per cent by weight of FeHA would represent an effective reinforcement. The inclusion of nanoparticles also improves the hydrophilicity of the substrates as evidenced by the lower values of water contact angle in comparison with those of neat PCL. The results from magnetic measurements confirmed the superparamagnetic character of the nanocomposite substrates, indicated by a very low coercive field, a saturation magnetization strictly proportional to the FeHA content and a strong history dependence in temperature sweeps. Regarding the biological performances, confocal laser scanning microscopy and AlamarBlue assay have provided qualitative and quantitative information on human mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and viability/proliferation, respectively, whereas the obtained ALP/DNA values have shown the ability of the nanocomposite substrates to support osteogenic differentiation. PMID:23303218

  6. Glutaraldehyde-Mediated Synthesis of Asparaginase-Bound Maghemite Nanocomposites: Cytotoxicity against Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells.

    PubMed

    Baskar, G; George, Garrick Bikku

    2016-01-01

    Drugs processed using nanobiotechnology may be more biocompatible, with sustainable and stabilised release or action. L-asparaginase produced from fungi has many advantages for treatment of lymphocytic leukemia with lesser side effect. In the present work, maghemite nanobiocomposites of fungal asparaginase were produced using glutaraldehyde-pretreated colloidal magnetic nanoparticles. Formation of nanobiocomposites was observed using laser light scattering and confirmed by UV-visible spectrophotometry with the absorption peak at 497 nm. The specific asparaginase activity was increased from 320 U/mg with crude asparaginase to 481.5 U/mg. FTIR analysis confirmed that primary amines are the functional groups involved in binding of asparaginase on magnetic nanoparticles. The average size of the produced nanobiocomposite was found in the range of 30 nm to 40 nm using histogram analysis. The magnetic nanobiocomposite of asparaginase synthesised using glutaraldehyde showed 90.75% cytotoxicity against human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines. Hence it can be used as an active anticancer drug with an augmented level of bioavailability.

  7. Magnetic field design for selecting and aligning immunomagnetic labeled cells.

    PubMed

    Tibbe, Arjan G J; de Grooth, Bart G; Greve, Jan; Dolan, Gerald J; Rao, Chandra; Terstappen, Leon W M M

    2002-03-01

    Recently we introduced the CellTracks cell analysis system, in which samples are prepared based on a combination of immunomagnetic selection, separation, and alignment of cells along ferromagnetic lines. Here we describe the underlying magnetic principles and considerations made in the magnetic field design to achieve the best possible cell selection and alignment of magnetically labeled cells. Materials and Methods Computer simulations, in combination with experimental data, were used to optimize the design of the magnets and Ni lines to obtain the optimal magnetic configuration. A homogeneous cell distribution on the upper surface of the sample chamber was obtained with a magnet where the pole faces were tilted towards each other. The spatial distribution of magnetically aligned objects in between the Ni lines was dependent on the ratio of the diameter of the aligned object and the line spacing, which was tested with magnetically and fluorescently labeled 6 microm polystyrene beads. The best result was obtained when the line spacing was equal to or smaller than the diameter of the aligned object. The magnetic gradient of the designed permanent magnet extracts magnetically labeled cells from any cell suspension to a desired plane, providing a homogeneous cell distribution. In addition, it magnetizes ferro-magnetic Ni lines in this plane whose additional local gradient adds to the gradient of the permanent magnet. The resultant gradient aligns the magnetically labeled cells first brought to this plane. This combination makes it possible, in a single step, to extract and align cells on a surface from any cell suspension. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  8. Magnetically modified bioсells in constant magnetic field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Abramov, E. G.; Panina, L. K.; Kolikov, V. A.; Bogomolova, E. V.; Snetov, V. N.; Cherepkova, I. A.; Kiselev, A. A.

    2017-02-01

    Paper addresses the inverse problem in determining the area, where the external constant magnetic field captures the biological cells modified by the magnetic nanoparticles. Zero velocity isolines, in area where the modified cells are captured by the magnetic field were determined by numerical method for two locations of the magnet. The problem was solved taking into account the gravitational field, magnetic induction, density of medium, concentration and size of cells, and size and magnetization of nanoparticles attached to the cell. Increase in the number of the nanoparticles attached to the cell and decrease in the cell' size, enlarges the area, where the modified cells are captured and concentrated by the magnet. Solution is confirmed by the visible pattern formation of the modified cells Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

  9. Electromagnetic Fields for the Regulation of Neural Stem Cells

    PubMed Central

    Cui, Mengchu; Ge, Hongfei; Zhao, Hengli; Zou, Yongjie

    2017-01-01

    Localized magnetic fields (MFs) could easily penetrate the scalp, skull, and meninges, thus inducing an electrical current in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, which is primarily used in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for inducing specific effects on different regions or cells that play roles in various brain activities. Studies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have led to novel attractive therapeutic approaches. Neural stem cells (NSCs) in adult human brain are able to self-renew and possess multidifferential ability to maintain homeostasis and repair damage after acute central nervous system. In the present review, we summarized the electrical activity of NSCs and the fundamental mechanism of electromagnetic fields and their effects on regulating NSC proliferation, differentiation, migration, and maturation. Although it was authorized for the rTMS use in resistant depression patients by US FDA, there are still unveiling mechanism and limitations for rTMS in clinical applications of acute central nervous system injury, especially on NSC regulation as a rehabilitation strategy. More in-depth studies should be performed to provide detailed parameters and mechanisms of rTMS in further studies, making it a powerful tool to treat people who are surviving with acute central nervous system injuries. PMID:28932245

  10. Power Frequency Magnetic Fields Affect the p38 MAPK-Mediated Regulation of NB69 Cell Proliferation Implication of Free Radicals.

    PubMed

    Martínez, María Antonia; Úbeda, Alejandro; Moreno, Jorge; Trillo, María Ángeles

    2016-04-06

    The proliferative response of the neuroblastoma line NB69 to a 100 µT, 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) has been shown mediated by activation of the MAPK-ERK1/2 pathway. This work investigates the MF effect on the cell cycle of NB69, the participation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal (JNK) kinases in the field-induced proliferative response and the potential involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the activation of the MAPK-ERK1/2 and -p38 signaling pathways. NB69 cultures were exposed to the 100 µT MF, either intermittently for 24, 42 or 63 h, or continuously for periods of 15 to 120 min, in the presence or absence of p38 or JNK inhibitors: SB203580 and SP600125, respectively. Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was used as ROS scavenger. Field exposure induced transient activation of p38, JNK and ERK1/2. The MF proliferative effect, which was mediated by changes in the cell cycle, was blocked by the p38 inhibitor, but not by the JNK inhibitor. NAC blocked the field effects on cell proliferation and p38 activation, but not those on ERK1/2 activation. The MF-induced proliferative effects are exerted through sequential upregulation of MAPK-p38 and -ERK1/2 activation, and they are likely mediated by a ROS-dependent activation of p38.

  11. Power Frequency Magnetic Fields Affect the p38 MAPK-Mediated Regulation of NB69 Cell Proliferation Implication of Free Radicals

    PubMed Central

    Martínez, María Antonia; Úbeda, Alejandro; Moreno, Jorge; Trillo, María Ángeles

    2016-01-01

    The proliferative response of the neuroblastoma line NB69 to a 100 µT, 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) has been shown mediated by activation of the MAPK-ERK1/2 pathway. This work investigates the MF effect on the cell cycle of NB69, the participation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal (JNK) kinases in the field-induced proliferative response and the potential involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the activation of the MAPK-ERK1/2 and -p38 signaling pathways. NB69 cultures were exposed to the 100 µT MF, either intermittently for 24, 42 or 63 h, or continuously for periods of 15 to 120 min, in the presence or absence of p38 or JNK inhibitors: SB203580 and SP600125, respectively. Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was used as ROS scavenger. Field exposure induced transient activation of p38, JNK and ERK1/2. The MF proliferative effect, which was mediated by changes in the cell cycle, was blocked by the p38 inhibitor, but not by the JNK inhibitor. NAC blocked the field effects on cell proliferation and p38 activation, but not those on ERK1/2 activation. The MF-induced proliferative effects are exerted through sequential upregulation of MAPK-p38 and -ERK1/2 activation, and they are likely mediated by a ROS-dependent activation of p38. PMID:27058530

  12. Magnetically actuated tissue engineered scaffold: insights into mechanism of physical stimulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sapir-Lekhovitser, Yulia; Rotenberg, Menahem Y.; Jopp, Juergen; Friedman, Gary; Polyak, Boris; Cohen, Smadar

    2016-02-01

    Providing the right stimulatory conditions resulting in efficient tissue promoting microenvironment in vitro and in vivo is one of the ultimate goals in tissue development for regenerative medicine. It has been shown that in addition to molecular signals (e.g. growth factors) physical cues are also required for generation of functional cell constructs. These cues are particularly relevant to engineering of biological tissues, within which mechanical stress activates mechano-sensitive receptors, initiating biochemical pathways which lead to the production of functionally mature tissue. Uniform magnetic fields coupled with magnetizable nanoparticles embedded within three dimensional (3D) scaffold structures remotely create transient physical forces that can be transferrable to cells present in close proximity to the nanoparticles. This study investigated the hypothesis that magnetically responsive alginate scaffold can undergo reversible shape deformation due to alignment of scaffold's walls in a uniform magnetic field. Using custom made Helmholtz coil setup adapted to an Atomic Force Microscope we monitored changes in matrix dimensions in situ as a function of applied magnetic field, concentration of magnetic particles within the scaffold wall structure and rigidity of the matrix. Our results show that magnetically responsive scaffolds exposed to an externally applied time-varying uniform magnetic field undergo a reversible shape deformation. This indicates on possibility of generating bending/stretching forces that may exert a mechanical effect on cells due to alternating pattern of scaffold wall alignment and relaxation. We suggest that the matrix structure deformation is produced by immobilized magnetic nanoparticles within the matrix walls resulting in a collective alignment of scaffold walls upon magnetization. The estimated mechanical force that can be imparted on cells grown on the scaffold wall at experimental conditions is in the order of 1 pN, which correlates well with reported threshold to induce mechanotransduction effects on cellular level. This work is our next step in understanding of how to accurately create proper stimulatory microenvironment for promotion of cellular organization to form mature tissue engineered constructs.

  13. Magnetically actuated tissue engineered scaffold: insights into mechanism of physical stimulation

    PubMed Central

    Sapir-Lekhovitser, Yulia; Rotenberg, Menahem Y.; Jopp, Juergen; Friedman, Gary; Polyak, Boris; Cohen, Smadar

    2016-01-01

    Providing the right stimulatory conditions resulting in efficient tissue promoting microenvironment in vitro and in vivo is one of the ultimate goals in tissue development for regenerative medicine. It has been shown that in addition to molecular signals (e.g. growth factors) physical cues are also required for generation of functional cell constructs. These cues are particularly relevant to engineering of biological tissues, within which mechanical stress activates mechano-sensitive receptors, initiating biochemical pathways which lead to the production of functionally mature tissue. Uniform magnetic fields coupled with magnetizable nanoparticles embedded within three dimensional (3D) scaffold structures remotely create transient physical forces that can be transferrable to cells present in close proximity to the nanoparticles. This study investigated the hypothesis that magnetically responsive alginate scaffold can undergo reversible shape deformation due to alignment of scaffold’s walls in a uniform magnetic field. Using custom made Helmholtz coil setup adapted to an Atomic Force Microscope we monitored changes in matrix dimensions in situ as a function of applied magnetic field, concentration of magnetic particles within the scaffold wall structure and rigidity of the matrix. Our results show that magnetically responsive scaffolds exposed to an externally applied time-varying uniform magnetic field undergo a reversible shape deformation. This indicates on possibility of generating bending/stretching forces that may exert a mechanical effect on cells due to alternating pattern of scaffold wall alignment and relaxation. We suggest that the matrix structure deformation is produced by immobilized magnetic nanoparticles within the matrix walls resulting in a collective alignment of scaffold walls upon magnetization. The estimated mechanical force that can be imparted on cells grown on the scaffold wall at experimental conditions is in the order of 1 pN, which correlates well with reported threshold to induce mechanotransduction effects on cellular level. This work is our next step in understanding of how to accurately create proper stimulatory microenvironment for promotion of cellular organization to form mature tissue engineered constructs. PMID:26790538

  14. Design of magnetic polyplexes taken up efficiently by dendritic cell for enhanced DNA vaccine delivery.

    PubMed

    Nawwab Al-Deen, F M; Selomulya, C; Kong, Y Y; Xiang, S D; Ma, C; Coppel, R L; Plebanski, M

    2014-02-01

    Dendritic cells (DC) targeting vaccines require high efficiency for uptake, followed by DC activation and maturation. We used magnetic vectors comprising polyethylenimine (PEI)-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, with hyaluronic acid (HA) of different molecular weights (<10 and 900 kDa) to reduce cytotoxicity and to facilitate endocytosis of particles into DCs via specific surface receptors. DNA encoding Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein 1-19 and a plasmid encoding yellow fluorescent gene were added to the magnetic complexes with various % charge ratios of HA: PEI. The presence of magnetic fields significantly enhanced DC transfection and maturation. Vectors containing a high-molecular-weight HA with 100% charge ratio of HA: PEI yielded a better transfection efficiency than others. This phenomenon was attributed to their longer molecular chains and higher mucoadhesive properties aiding DNA condensation and stability. Insights gained should improve the design of more effective DNA vaccine delivery systems.

  15. A pulsed magnetic stress applied to Drosophila melanogaster flies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Delle Side, D.; Bozzetti, M. P.; Friscini, A.; Giuffreda, E.; Nassisi, V.; Specchia, V.; Velardi, L.

    2014-04-01

    We report the development of a system to feed pulsed magnetic stress to biological samples. The device is based on a RLC circuit that transforms the energy stored in a high voltage capacitor into a magnetic field inside a coil. The field has been characterized and we found that charging the capacitor with 24 kV results in a peak field of 0.4 T. In order to test its effect, we applied such a stress to the Drosophila melanogaster model and we examined its bio-effects. We analysed, in the germ cells, the effects on the control of specific DNA repetitive sequences that are activated after different environmental stresses. The deregulation of these sequences causes genomic instability and chromosomes breaks leading to sterility. The magnetic field treatment did not produce effects on repetitive sequences in the germ cells of Drosophila. Hence, this field doesn't produce deleterious effects linked to repetitive sequences derepression.

  16. Surface functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles formed by self-associating hydrophobized oxidized dextrans

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farber, Shimon; Ickowicz, Diana E.; Melnik, Kristie; Yudovin-Farber, Ira; Recko, Daniel; Rampersaud, Arfaan; Domb, Abraham J.

    2014-06-01

    Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles surface covered with oleic acid layer followed by a second layer of hydrophobized oxidized dextran aldehyde were prepared and tested for physico-chemical properties and ligand- and cell-specific binding. It was demonstrated that oleic acid-iron oxide nanoparticles coated with an additional layer of hydrophobized oxidized dextran were dispersible in buffer solutions and possess surface aldehyde active groups available for further binding of ligands or markers via imine or amine bond formation. Hydrophobized dextrans were synthesized by periodate oxidation and conjugation of various alkanamines to oxidized dextran by imination. Physico-chemical properties, as separation using magnetic field, magnetite concentration, and particle diameter, of the prepared magnetic samples are reported. The biotin-binding protein, neutravidin, was coupled to the particle surface by a simple reductive amination procedure. The particles were used for specific cell separation with high specificity.

  17. Micrometer-Scale Magnetic-Resonance-Coupled Radio-Frequency Identification and Transceivers for Wireless Sensors in Cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Xiaolin; Aggarwal, Kamal; Yang, Mimi X.; Parizi, Kokab B.; Xu, Xiaoqing; Akin, Demir; Poon, Ada S. Y.; Wong, H.-S. Philip

    2017-07-01

    We report the design, analysis, and characterization of a three-inductor radio-frequency identification (RFID) and transceiver system for potential applications in individual cell tracking and monitoring. The RFID diameter is 22 μ m and can be naturally internalized by living cells. Using magnetic resonance coupling, the system shows resonance shifts when the RFID is present and also when the RFID loading capacitance changes. It operates at 60 GHz with a high signal magnitude up to -50 dB and a sensitivity of 0.2. This miniaturized RFID with a high signal magnitude is a promising step toward continuous, real-time monitoring of activities at cellular levels.

  18. Polyethyleneimine-modified iron oxide nanoparticles for brain tumor drug delivery using magnetic targeting and intra-carotid administration.

    PubMed

    Chertok, Beata; David, Allan E; Yang, Victor C

    2010-08-01

    This study aimed to examine the applicability of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified magnetic nanoparticles (GPEI) as a potential vascular drug/gene carrier to brain tumors. In vitro, GPEI exhibited high cell association and low cell toxicity--properties which are highly desirable for intracellular drug/gene delivery. In addition, a high saturation magnetization of 93 emu/g Fe was expected to facilitate magnetic targeting of GPEI to brain tumor lesions. However, following intravenous administration, GPEI could not be magnetically accumulated in tumors of rats harboring orthotopic 9L-gliosarcomas due to its poor pharmacokinetic properties, reflected by a negligibly low plasma AUC of 12 +/- 3 microg Fe/ml min. To improve "passive" GPEI presentation to brain tumor vasculature for subsequent "active" magnetic capture, we examined the intra-carotid route as an alternative for nanoparticle administration. Intra-carotid administration in conjunction with magnetic targeting resulted in 30-fold (p=0.002) increase in tumor entrapment of GPEI compared to that seen with intravenous administration. In addition, magnetic accumulation of cationic GPEI (zeta-potential = + 37.2 mV) in tumor lesions was 5.2-fold higher (p=0.004) than that achieved with slightly anionic G100 (zeta-potential= -12 mV) following intra-carotid administration, while no significant accumulation difference was detected between the two types of nanoparticles in the contra-lateral brain (p=0.187). These promising results warrant further investigation of GPEI as a potential cell-permeable, magnetically-responsive platform for brain tumor delivery of drugs and genes. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Magnetic nanotubes for drug delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ramasamy, Mouli; Kumar, Prashanth S.; Varadan, Vijay K.

    2017-04-01

    Magnetic nanotubes hold the potential for neuroscience applications because of their capability to deliver chemicals or biomolecules and the feasibility of controlling the orientation or movement of these magnetic nanotubes by an external magnetic field thus facilitating directed growth of neurites. Therefore, we sought to investigate the effects of laminin treated magnetic nanotubes and external alternating magnetic fields on the growth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in cell culture. Magnetic nanotubes were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized to confirm their hollow structure, the hematite and maghemite phases, and the magnetic properties. DRG neurons were cultured in the presence of magnetic nanotubes under alternating magnetic fields. Electron microscopy showed a close interaction between magnetic nanotubes and the growing neurites Phase contrast microscopy revealed live growing neurons suggesting that the combination of the presence of magnetic nanotubes and the alternating magnetic field were tolerated by DRG neurons. The synergistic effect, from both laminin treated magnetic nanotubes and the applied magnetic fields on survival, growth and electrical activity of the DRG neurons are currently being investigated.

  20. Synthesis of nanosize MCM-41 loaded with TiO 2 and study of its photocatalytic activity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sadjadi, M. S.; Farhadyar, N.; Zare, K.

    2009-07-01

    In recent years, nanosized mesoporous materials have received significant attention due to their impact in different processes. Several diverse applications of these materials, e.g. high density magnetic recording, magnetic fluids, magnetic refrigeration as well as in photocatalysis, solar cells, photosensors, have triggered considerable research activities in the area of nanotechnology. In this work, nanosize MCM-41 was synthesized and loaded then with TiO 2 using tetra butoxy titanium (TBT). As prepared TiO 2 loaded materials was investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO 2 loaded MCM-41 was finally evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange under irradiation of UV light. The result showed that TiO 2 loaded on nanosize MCM-41 has higher photocatalytic activity than that of TiO 2.

  1. Silver deposited carboxymethyl chitosan-grafted magnetic nanoparticles as dual action deliverable antimicrobial materials.

    PubMed

    Vo, Duc-Thang; Sabrina, Sabrina; Lee, Cheng-Kang

    2017-04-01

    Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) was known to have a much better antimicrobial activity than chitosan due to the increased cationic -NH 3 + groups resulted from the intra- and intermolecular interactions between the carboxyl and amino groups. CMCS was grafted onto the surface of silica coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to obtain magnetically retrievable and deliverable antimicrobial nanoparticles (MNPs@CMCS). The presence of carboxylate groups in CMCS not only enhanced antimicrobial activity but also enabled Ag ions chelating ability to induce the in situ formation of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs). The deposition of AgNPs on the surface of MNPs@CMCS could significantly increase its antimicrobial activity against planktonic cells due to the dual action of CMCS and AgNPs. Due to its high magnetism, the as-prepared MNPs@CMCS-Ag could be efficiently delivered into an existing biofilm under the guidance of an applied magnetic field. Without direct contact, the Ag ions and/or radical oxygen species (ROS) released from the deposited Ag nanoparticles could effectively kill the bacteria embedded in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix of biofilm. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Effect of Magnetic Nanoparticles on Tobacco BY-2 Cell Suspension Culture

    PubMed Central

    Krystofova, Olga; Sochor, Jiri; Zitka, Ondrej; Babula, Petr; Kudrle, Vit; Adam, Vojtech; Kizek, Rene

    2012-01-01

    Nanomaterials are structures whose exceptionality is based on their large surface, which is closely connected with reactivity and modification possibilities. Due to these properties nanomaterials are used in textile industry (antibacterial textiles with silver nanoparticles), electronics (high-resolution imaging, logical circuits on the molecular level) and medicine. Medicine represents one of the most important fields of application of nanomaterials. They are investigated in connection with targeted therapy (infectious diseases, malignant diseases) or imaging (contrast agents). Nanomaterials including nanoparticles have a great application potential in the targeted transport of pharmaceuticals. However, there are some negative properties of nanoparticles, which must be carefully solved, as hydrophobic properties leading to instability in aqueous environment, and especially their possible toxicity. Data about toxicity of nanomaterials are still scarce. Due to this fact, in this work we focused on studying of the effect of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) and modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on tobacco BY-2 plant cell suspension culture. We aimed at examining the effect of NPs and MNPs on growth, proteosynthesis—total protein content, thiols—reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, phytochelatins PC2-5, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and antioxidant activity of BY-2 cells. Whereas the effect of NPs and MNPs on growth of cell suspension culture was only moderate, significant changes were detected in all other biochemical parameters. Significant changes in protein content, phytochelatins levels and GST activity were observed in BY-2 cells treated with MNPs nanoparticles treatment. Changes were also clearly evident in the case of application of NPs. Our results demonstrate the ability of MNPs to negatively affect metabolism and induce biosynthesis of protective compounds in a plant cell model represented by BY-2 cell suspension culture. The obtained results are discussed, especially in connection with already published data. Possible mechanisms of NPs’ and MNPs’ toxicity are introduced. PMID:23343980

  3. Synthesis, Characterization, and Study of In Vitro Cytotoxicity of ZnO-Fe3O4 Magnetic Composite Nanoparticles in Human Breast Cancer Cell Line (MDA-MB-231) and Mouse Fibroblast (NIH 3T3).

    PubMed

    Bisht, Gunjan; Rayamajhi, Sagar; Kc, Biplab; Paudel, Siddhi Nath; Karna, Deepak; Shrestha, Bhupal G

    2016-12-01

    Novel magnetic composite nanoparticles (MCPs) were successfully synthesized by ex situ conjugation of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and Fe 3 O 4 NPs using trisodium citrate as linker with an aim to retain key properties of both NPs viz. inherent selectivity towards cancerous cell and superparamagnetic nature, respectively, on a single system. Successful characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was done by XRD, TEM, FTIR, and VSM analyses. VSM analysis showed similar magnetic profile of thus obtained MCPs as that of naked Fe 3 O 4 NPs with reduction in saturation magnetization to 16.63 emu/g. Also, cell viability inferred from MTT assay showed that MCPs have no significant toxicity towards noncancerous NIH 3T3 cells but impart significant toxicity at similar concentration to breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231. The EC50 value of MCPs on MDA-MB-231 is less than that of naked ZnO NPs on MDA-MB-231, but its toxicity on NIH 3T3 was significantly reduced compared to ZnO NPs. Our hypothesis for this prominent difference in cytotoxicity imparted by MCPs is the synergy of selective cytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles via reactive oxygen species (ROS) and exhausting scavenging activity of cancerous cells, which further enhance the cytotoxicity of Fe 3 O 4 NPs on cancer cells. This dramatic difference in cytotoxicity shown by the conjugation of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 NPs with ZnO NPs should be further studied that might hold great promise for the development of selective and site-specific nanoparticles. Schematic representation of the conjugation, characterization and cytotoxicity analysis of Fe 3 O 4 -ZnO magnetic composite particles (MCPs).

  4. Enzymatic single-chain antibody tagging: a universal approach to targeted molecular imaging and cell homing in cardiovascular disease.

    PubMed

    Ta, H T; Prabhu, S; Leitner, E; Jia, F; von Elverfeldt, D; Jackson, Katherine E; Heidt, T; Nair, A K N; Pearce, H; von Zur Muhlen, C; Wang, X; Peter, K; Hagemeyer, C E

    2011-08-05

    Antibody-targeted delivery of imaging agents can enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of current imaging techniques. Similarly, homing of effector cells to disease sites increases the efficacy of regenerative cell therapy while reducing the number of cells required. Currently, targeting can be achieved via chemical conjugation to specific antibodies, which typically results in the loss of antibody functionality and in severe cell damage. An ideal conjugation technique should ensure retention of antigen-binding activity and functionality of the targeted biological component. To develop a biochemically robust, highly reproducible, and site-specific coupling method using the Staphylococcus aureus sortase A enzyme for the conjugation of a single-chain antibody (scFv) to nanoparticles and cells for molecular imaging and cell homing in cardiovascular diseases. This scFv specifically binds to activated platelets, which play a pivotal role in thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and inflammation. The conjugation procedure involves chemical and enzyme-mediated coupling steps. The scFv was successfully conjugated to iron oxide particles (contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging) and to model cells. Conjugation efficiency ranged between 50% and 70%, and bioactivity of the scFv after coupling was preserved. The targeting of scFv-coupled cells and nanoparticles to activated platelets was strong and specific as demonstrated in in vitro static adhesion assays, in a flow chamber system, in mouse intravital microscopy, and in in vivo magnetic resonance imaging of mouse carotid arteries. This unique biotechnological approach provides a versatile and broadly applicable tool for procuring targeted regenerative cell therapy and targeted molecular imaging in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases and beyond.

  5. Antifungal Activity of Amphotericin B Conjugated to Nanosized Magnetite in the Treatment of Paracoccidioidomycosis

    PubMed Central

    Saldanha, Camila Arruda; Garcia, Mônica Pereira; Iocca, Diego Cesar; Rebelo, Luciana Guilherme; Souza, Ana Camila Oliveira; Bocca, Anamélia Lorenzetti; Almeida Santos, Maria de Fátima Menezes; Morais, Paulo Cesar; Azevedo, Ricardo Bentes

    2016-01-01

    This study reports on in vitro and in vivo tests that sought to assess the antifungal activity of a newly developed magnetic carrier system comprising amphotericin B loaded onto the surface of pre-coated (with a double-layer of lauric acid) magnetite nanoparticles. The in vitro tests compared two drugs; i.e., this newly developed form and free amphotericin B. We found that this nanocomplex exhibited antifungal activity without cytotoxicity to human urinary cells and with low cytotoxicity to peritoneal macrophages. We also evaluated the efficacy of the nanocomplex in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. BALB/c mice were intratracheally infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and treated with the compound for 30 or 60 days beginning the day after infection. The newly developed amphotericin B coupled with magnetic nanoparticles was effective against experimental paracoccidioidomycosis, and it did not induce clinical, biochemical or histopathological alterations. The nanocomplex also did not induce genotoxic effects in bone marrow cells. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that amphotericin B coupled to magnetic nanoparticles and stabilized with bilayer lauric acid is a promising nanotool for the treatment of the experimental paracoccidioidomycosis because it exhibited antifungal activity that was similar to that of free amphotericin B, did not induce adverse effects in therapeutic doses and allowed for a reduction in the number of applications. PMID:27303789

  6. Investigating Non-Equilibrium Fluctuations of Nanocolloids in a Magnetic Field Using Direct Imaging Methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rice, Ashley; Oprisan, Ana; Oprisan, Sorinel; Rice-Oprisan College of Charleston Team

    Nanoparticles of iron oxide have a high surface area and can be controlled by an external magnetic field. Since they have a fast response to the applied magnetic field, these systems have been used for numerous in vivo applications, such as MRI contrast enhancement, tissue repair, immunoassay, detoxification of biological fluids, hyperthermia, drug delivery, and cell separation. We performed three direct imaging experiments in order to investigate the concentration-driven fluctuations using magnetic nanoparticles in the absence and in the presence of magnetic field. Our direct imaging experimental setup involved a glass cell filled with magnetic nanocolloidal suspension and water with the concentration gradient oriented against the gravitational field and a superluminescent diode (SLD) as the light source. Nonequilibrium concentration-driven fluctuations were recorded using a direct imaging technique. We used a dynamic structure factor algorithm for image processing in order to compute the structure factor and to find the power law exponents. We saw evidence of large concentration fluctuations and permanent magnetism. Further research will use the correlation time to approximate the diffusion coefficient for the free diffusion experiment. Funded by College of Charleston Department of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities SURF grant.

  7. Magnetic Nanoparticles for Multi-Imaging and Drug Delivery

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Jae-Hyun; Kim, Ji-wook; Cheon, Jinwoo

    2013-01-01

    Various bio-medical applications of magnetic nanoparticles have been explored during the past few decades. As tools that hold great potential for advancing biological sciences, magnetic nanoparticles have been used as platform materials for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents, biological separation and magnetic drug delivery systems, and magnetic hyperthermia treatment. Furthermore, approaches that integrate various imaging and bioactive moieties have been used in the design of multi-modality systems, which possess synergistically enhanced properties such as better imaging resolution and sensitivity, molecular recognition capabilities, stimulus responsive drug delivery with on-demand control, and spatio-temporally controlled cell signal activation. Below, recent studies that focus on the design and synthesis of multi-mode magnetic nanoparticles will be briefly reviewed and their potential applications in the imaging and therapy areas will be also discussed. PMID:23579479

  8. Electrochemical immunoassay for vitellogenin based on sequential injection using antigen-immobilized magnetic microbeads.

    PubMed

    Hirakawa, Koji; Katayama, Masaaki; Soh, Nobuaki; Nakano, Koji; Imato, Toshihiko

    2006-01-01

    A rapid and sensitive immunoassay for the determination of vitellogenin (Vg) is described. The method involves a sequential injection analysis (SIA) system equipped with an amperometric detector and a neodymium magnet. Magnetic beads, onto which an antigen (Vg) was immobilized, were used as a solid support in an immunoassay. The introduction, trapping and release of magnetic beads in an immunoreaction cell were controlled by means of the neodymium magnet and by adjusting the flow of the carrier solution. The immunoassay was based on an indirect competitive immunoreaction of an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) labeled anti-Vg monoclonal antibody between the fraction of Vg immobilized on the magnetic beads and Vg in the sample solution. The immobilization of Vg on the beads involved coupling an amino group moiety of Vg with the magnetic beads after activation of a carboxylate moiety on the surface of magnetic beads that had been coated with a polylactate film. The Vg-immobilized magnetic beads were introduced and trapped in the immunoreaction cell equipped with the neodymium magnet; a Vg sample solution containing an ALP labeled anti-Vg antibody at a constant concentration and a p-aminophenyl phosphate (PAPP) solution were sequentially introduced into the immunoreaction cell. The product of the enzyme reaction of PAPP with ALP on the antibody, paminophenol, was transported to an amperometric detector, the applied voltage of which was set at +0.2 V vs. an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. A sigmoid calibration curve was obtained when the logarithm of the concentration of Vg was plotted against the peak current of the amperometric detector using various concentrations of standard Vg sample solutions (0-500 ppb). The time required for the analysis is less than 15 min.

  9. Magnetic-Fe/Fe3O4-nanoparticle-bound SN38 as carboxylesterase-cleavable prodrug for the delivery to tumors within monocytes/macrophages

    PubMed Central

    Shrestha, Tej B; Basel, Matthew T; Dani, Raj Kumar; Seo, Gwi-Moon; Balivada, Sivasai; Pyle, Marla M; Prock, Heidy; Koper, Olga B; Thapa, Prem S; Moore, David; Li, Ping; Chikan, Viktor

    2012-01-01

    Summary The targeted delivery of therapeutics to the tumor site is highly desirable in cancer treatment, because it is capable of minimizing collateral damage. Herein, we report the synthesis of a nanoplatform, which is composed of a 15 ± 1 nm diameter core/shell Fe/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and the topoisomerase I blocker SN38 bound to the surface of the MNPs via a carboxylesterase cleavable linker. This nanoplatform demonstrated high heating ability (SAR = 522 ± 40 W/g) in an AC-magnetic field. For the purpose of targeted delivery, this nanoplatform was loaded into tumor-homing double-stable RAW264.7 cells (mouse monocyte/macrophage-like cells (Mo/Ma)), which have been engineered to express intracellular carboxylesterase (InCE) upon addition of doxycycline by a Tet-On Advanced system. The nanoplatform was taken up efficiently by these tumor-homing cells. They showed low toxicity even at high nanoplatform concentration. SN38 was released successfully by switching on the Tet-On Advanced system. We have demonstrated that this nanoplatform can be potentially used for thermochemotherapy. We will be able to achieve the following goals: (1) Specifically deliver the SN38 prodrug and magnetic nanoparticles to the cancer site as the payload of tumor-homing double-stable RAW264.7 cells; (2) Release of chemotherapeutic SN38 at the cancer site by means of the self-containing Tet-On Advanced system; (3) Provide localized magnetic hyperthermia to enhance the cancer treatment, both by killing cancer cells through magnetic heating and by activating the immune system. PMID:23016149

  10. Development of Novel Tumor-Targeted Theranostic Nanoparticles Activated by Membrane-Type Matrix Metalloproteinases for Combined Cancer Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Therapy

    PubMed Central

    Ansari, Celina; Tikhomirov, Grigory A.; Hong, Su Hyun; Falconer, Robert A.; Loadman, Paul M.; Gill, Jason H.; Castaneda, Rosalinda; Hazard, Florette K.; Tong, Ling; Lenkov, Olga D.; Felsher, Dean W.; Rao, Jianghong; Daldrup-Link, Heike E.

    2013-01-01

    A major drawback with current cancer therapy is the prevalence of unrequired dose-limiting toxicity to non-cancerous tissues and organs, which is further compounded by a limited ability to rapidly and easily monitor drug delivery, pharmacodynamics and therapeutic response. In this report, we describe the design and characterization of novel multifunctional “theranostic” nanoparticles (TNPs) for enzyme-specific drug activation at tumor sites and simultaneous in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of drug delivery. TNPs were synthesized by conjugation of FDA-approved iron oxide nanoparticles ferumoxytol to an MMP-activatable peptide conjugate of azademethylcolchicine (ICT), creating CLIO-ICTs (TNPs). Significant cell death was observed in TNP-treated MMP-14 positive MMTV-PyMT breast cancer cells in vitro, but not MMP-14 negative fibroblasts or cells treated with ferumoxytol alone. Intravenous administration of TNPs to MMTV-PyMT tumor-bearing mice and subsequent MRI demonstrated significant tumor selective accumulation of the TNP, an observation confirmed by histopathology. Treatment with CLIO-ICTs induced a significant antitumor effect and tumor necrosis, a response not observed with ferumoxytol. Furthermore, no toxicity or cell death was observed in normal tissues following treatment with CLIO-ICTs, ICT, or ferumoxytol. Our findings demonstrate proof of concept for a new nanotemplate that integrates tumor specificity, drug delivery and in vivo imaging into a single TNP entity through attachment of enzyme-activated prodrugs onto magnetic nanoparticles. This novel approach holds the potential to significantly improve targeted cancer therapies, and ultimately enable personalized therapy regimens. PMID:24038954

  11. Neurovascular abnormalities in brain disorders: highlights with angiogenesis and magnetic resonance imaging studies.

    PubMed

    Chen, Chiao-Chi V; Chen, Yu-Chen; Hsiao, Han-Yun; Chang, Chen; Chern, Yijuang

    2013-07-05

    The coupling between neuronal activity and vascular responses is controlled by the neurovascular unit (NVU), which comprises multiple cell types. Many different types of dysfunction in these cells may impair the proper control of vascular responses by the NVU. Magnetic resonance imaging, which is the most powerful tool available to investigate neurovascular structures or functions, will be discussed in the present article in relation to its applications and discoveries. Because aberrant angiogenesis and vascular remodeling have been increasingly reported as being implicated in brain pathogenesis, this review article will refer to this hallmark event when suitable.

  12. The gastrin/cholecystokinin-B receptor on prostate cells--a novel target for bifunctional prostate cancer imaging.

    PubMed

    Sturzu, Alexander; Klose, Uwe; Sheikh, Sumbla; Echner, Hartmut; Kalbacher, Hubert; Deeg, Martin; Nägele, Thomas; Schwentner, Christian; Ernemann, Ulrike; Heckl, Stefan

    2014-02-14

    The means of identifying prostate carcinoma and its metastases are limited. The contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging clinical diagnostics are not taken up into the tumor cells, but only accumulate in the interstitial space of the highly vasculated tumor. We examined the gastrin/cholecystokinin-B receptor as a possible target for prostate-specific detection using the C-terminal seven amino acid sequence of the gastrin peptide hormone. The correct sequence and a scrambled control sequence were coupled to the fluorescent dye rhodamine and the magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent gadolinium (Gd)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA). Expression analysis of the gastrin receptor mRNA was performed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on PC3 prostate carcinoma cells, U373 glioma, U2OS osteosarcoma and Colo205 colon carcinoma cells. After having confirmed elevated expression of gastrin receptor in PC3 cells and very low expression of the receptor in Colo205 cells, these two cell lines were used to create tumor xenografts on nude mice for in vivo experiments. Confocal lasers scanning microscopy and magnetic resonance imaging showed a high specificity of the correct conjugate for the PC3 xenografts. Staining of the PC3 xenografts was much weaker with the scrambled conjugate while the Colo205 xenografts showed no marked staining with any of the conjugates. In vitro experiments comparing the correct and scrambled conjugates on PC3 cells by magnetic resonance relaxometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting confirmed markedly higher specificity of the correct conjugate. The investigations show that the gastrin receptor is a promising tumor cell surface target for future prostate-cancer-specific imaging applications. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Rapid Characterization of Magnetic Moment of Cells for Magnetic Separation

    PubMed Central

    Ooi, Chinchun; Earhart, Christopher M.; Wilson, Robert J.; Wang, Shan X.

    2014-01-01

    NCI-H1650 lung cancer cell lines labeled with magnetic nanoparticles via the Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) antigen were previously shown to be captured at high efficiencies by a microfabricated magnetic sifter. If fine control and optimization of the magnetic separation process is to be achieved, it is vital to be able to characterize the labeled cells’ magnetic moment rapidly. We have thus adapted a rapid prototyping method to obtain the saturation magnetic moment of these cells. This method utilizes a cross-correlation algorithm to analyze the cells’ motion in a simple fluidic channel to obtain their magnetophoretic velocity, and is effective even when the magnetic moments of cells are small. This rapid characterization is proven useful in optimizing our microfabricated magnetic sifter procedures for magnetic cell capture. PMID:24771946

  14. A theranostic nrGO@MSN-ION nanocarrier developed to enhance the combination effect of sonodynamic therapy and ultrasound hyperthermia for treating tumor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yu-Wei; Liu, Tse-Ying; Chang, Po-Hsueh; Hsu, Po-Hung; Liu, Hao-Li; Lin, Hong-Cheu; Chen, San-Yuan

    2016-06-01

    Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), which induces activation of sonosensitizers in cancer cells through ultrasound irradiation, has emerged as an alternative and promising noninvasive therapeutic approach to kill both superficial and deep parts of tumors. In this study, mesoporous silica (MSN) grown on reduced graphene oxide nanosheet (nrGO) capped with Rose Bengal (RB)-PEG-conjugated iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONs), nrGO@MSN-ION-PEG-RB, was strategically designed to have targeted functionality and therapeutic efficacy under magnetic guiding and focused ultrasound (FUS) irradiation, respectively. The singlet oxygen produced by ultrasound-activated RB and the ultrasound-induced heating effect was enhanced by rGO and IONs, which improved the cytotoxic effect in cancer cells. In an animal experiment, we demonstrated that the combination of sonodynamic/hyperthermia therapy with magnetic guidance using this nanocomposite therapeutic agent can produce remarkable efficacious therapy in tumor growth inhibition. Furthermore, the combination effect induced by FUS irradiation produces significant damage to both superficial and deep parts of the targeted tumor.Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), which induces activation of sonosensitizers in cancer cells through ultrasound irradiation, has emerged as an alternative and promising noninvasive therapeutic approach to kill both superficial and deep parts of tumors. In this study, mesoporous silica (MSN) grown on reduced graphene oxide nanosheet (nrGO) capped with Rose Bengal (RB)-PEG-conjugated iron-oxide nanoparticles (IONs), nrGO@MSN-ION-PEG-RB, was strategically designed to have targeted functionality and therapeutic efficacy under magnetic guiding and focused ultrasound (FUS) irradiation, respectively. The singlet oxygen produced by ultrasound-activated RB and the ultrasound-induced heating effect was enhanced by rGO and IONs, which improved the cytotoxic effect in cancer cells. In an animal experiment, we demonstrated that the combination of sonodynamic/hyperthermia therapy with magnetic guidance using this nanocomposite therapeutic agent can produce remarkable efficacious therapy in tumor growth inhibition. Furthermore, the combination effect induced by FUS irradiation produces significant damage to both superficial and deep parts of the targeted tumor. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07782f

  15. Magnetic single-walled carbon nanotubes as efficient drug delivery nanocarriers in breast cancer murine model: noninvasive monitoring using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging as sensitive imaging biomarker.

    PubMed

    Al Faraj, Achraf; Shaik, Abjal Pasha; Shaik, Asma Sultana

    2015-01-01

    Targeting doxorubicin (DOX) by means of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) nanocarriers may help improve the clinical utility of this highly active therapeutic agent. Active targeting of SWCNTs using tumor-specific antibody and magnetic attraction by tagging the nanotubes with iron oxide nanoparticles can potentially reduce the unnecessary side effects and provide enhanced theranostics. In the current study, the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of DOX-loaded SWCNTs as theranostic nanoprobes was evaluated in a murine breast cancer model. Iron-tagged SWCNTs conjugated with Endoglin/CD105 antibody with or without DOX were synthetized and extensively characterized. Their biocompatibility was assessed in vitro in luciferase (Luc2)-expressing 4T1 (4T1-Luc2) murine breast cancer cells using TiterTACS™ Colorimetric Apoptosis Detection Kit (apoptosis induction), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (marker for DNA damage), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (oxidative stress generation) assays, and the efficacy of DOX-loaded SWCNTs was evaluated by measuring the radiance efficiency using bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Tumor progression and growth were monitored after 4T1-Luc2 cells inoculation using noninvasive BLI and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after subsequent injection of SWCNT complexes actively and magnetically targeted to tumor sites. Significant increases in apoptosis, DNA damage, and oxidative stress were induced by DOX-loaded SWCNTs. In addition, a tremendous decrease in bioluminescence was observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Noninvasive BLI and MRI revealed successful tumor growth and subsequent attenuation along with metastasis inhibition following DOX-loaded SWCNTs injection. Magnetic tagging of SWCNTs was found to produce significant discrepancies in apparent diffusion coefficient values providing a higher contrast to detect treatment-induced variations as noninvasive imaging biomarker. In addition, it allowed their sensitive noninvasive diagnosis using susceptibility-weighted MRI and their magnetic targeting using an externally applied magnet. Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of DOX delivered through antibody-conjugated magnetic SWCNTs was achieved. Further, the superiority of apparent diffusion coefficient measurements using diffusion-weighted MRI was found to be a sensitive imaging biomarker for assessment of treatment-induced changes.

  16. Magnetic Targeting Enhances Engraftment and Functional Benefit of Iron-Labeled Cardiosphere-Derived Cells in Myocardial Infarction

    PubMed Central

    Cheng, Ke; Li, Tao-Sheng; Malliaras, Konstantinos; Davis, Darryl; Zhang, Yiqiang; Marbán, Eduardo

    2010-01-01

    Rationale The success of cardiac stem cell therapies is limited by low cell retention, due at least in part to washout via coronary veins. Objective We sought to counter the efflux of transplanted cells by rendering them magnetically-responsive and imposing an external magnetic field on the heart during and immediately after injection. Methods and Results Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) were labeled with superparamagnetic microspheres (SPMs). In vitro studies revealed that cell viability and function were minimally affected by SPM labeling. SPM-labeled rat CDCs were injected intramyocardially, with and without a superimposed magnet. With magnetic targeting, cells were visibly attracted towards the magnet and accumulated around the ischemic zone. In contrast, the majority of non-targeted cells washed out immediately after injection. Fluorescence imaging revealed more retention of transplanted cells in the heart, and less migration into other organs, in the magnetically-targeted group. Quantitative PCR confirmed that magnetic targeting enhanced cell retention (at 24 hours) and engraftment (at 3 weeks) in the recipient hearts by ∼3-fold compared to non-targeted cells. Morphometric analysis revealed maximal attenuation of LV remodeling, and echocardiography showed the greatest functional improvement, in the magnetic targeting group. Histologically, more engrafted cells were evident with magnetic targeting, but there was no incremental inflammation. Conclusion Magnetic targeting enhances cell retention, engraftment and functional benefit. This novel method to improve cell therapy outcomes offers the potential for rapid translation into clinical applications. PMID:20378859

  17. Targeting to carcinoma cells with chitosan- and starch-coated magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia.

    PubMed

    Kim, Dong-Hyun; Kim, Kyoung-Nam; Kim, Kwang-Mahn; Lee, Yong-Keun

    2009-01-01

    The delivery of hyperthermic thermoseeds to a specific target site with minimal side effects is an important challenge in targeted hyperthermia, which employs magnetic method and functional polymers. An external magnetic field is used to control the site-specific targeting of the magnetic nanoparticles. Polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles can confer a higher affinity to the biological cell membranes. In this study, uncoated, chitosan-coated, and starch-coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized for use as a hyperthermic thermoseed. Each sample was examined with respect to their applications to hyperthermia using XRD, VSM, and FTIR. In addition, the temperature changes under an alternating magnetic field were observed. As in vitro tests, the magnetic responsiveness of chitosan- and starch-coated magnetite was determined by a simple blood vessel model under various intensities of magnetic field. L929 normal cells and KB carcinoma cells were used to examine the cytotoxicity and affinity of each sample using the MTT method. The chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles generated a higher DeltaT of 23 degrees C under an AC magnetic field than the starch-coated magnetite, and the capturing rate of the particles was 96% under an external magnetic field of 0.4 T. The highest viability of L929 cells was 93.7%. Comparing the rate of KB cells capture with the rate of L929 cells capture, the rate of KB cells capture relatively increased with 10.8% in chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Hence, chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles are biocompatible and have a selective affinity to KB cells. The targeting of magnetic nanoparticles in hyperthermia was improved using a controlled magnetic field and a chitosan-coating. Therefore, chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles are expected to be promising materials for use in magnetic targeted hyperthermia. 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  18. Methods for the Measurement of a Bacterial Enzyme Activity in Cell Lysates and Extracts

    PubMed Central

    Mendz, George; Hazell, Stuart

    1998-01-01

    The kinetic characteristics and regulation of aspartate carbamoyltransferase activity were studied in lysates and cell extracts of Helicobacter pylori by three diffirent methods. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, radioactive tracer analysis, and spectrophotometry were employed in conjunction to identify the properties of the enzyme activity and to validate the results obtained with each assay. NMR spectroscopy was the most direct method to provide proof of ACTase activity; radioactive tracer analysis was the most sensitive technique and a microtitre-based colorimetric assay was the most cost-and time-efficient for large scale analyses. Freeze-thawing was adopted as the preferred method for cell lysis in studying enzyme activity in situ. This study showed the benefits of employing several different complementary methods to investigate bacterial enzyme activity. PMID:12734591

  19. Magnetic field direction differentially impacts the growth of different cell types.

    PubMed

    Tian, Xiaofei; Wang, Dongmei; Zha, Meng; Yang, Xingxing; Ji, Xinmiao; Zhang, Lei; Zhang, Xin

    2018-04-05

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines have horizontal or upright static magnetic field (SMF) of 0.1-3 T (Tesla) at sites of patients and operators, but the biological effects of these SMFs still remain elusive. We examined 12 different cell lines, including 5 human solid tumor cell lines, 2 human leukemia cell lines and 4 human non-cancer cell lines, as well as the Chinese hamster ovary cell line. Permanent magnets were used to provide 0.2-1 T SMFs with different magnetic field directions. We found that an upward magnetic field of 0.2-1 T could effectively reduce the cell numbers of all human solid tumor cell lines we tested, but a downward magnetic field mostly had no statistically significant effect. However, the leukemia cells in suspension, which do not have shape-induced anisotropy, were inhibited by both upward and downward magnetic fields. In contrast, the cell numbers of most non-cancer cells were not affected by magnetic fields of all directions. Moreover, the upward magnetic field inhibited GIST-T1 tumor growth in nude mice by 19.3% (p < 0.05) while the downward magnetic field did not produce significant effect. In conclusion, although still lack of mechanistical insights, our results show that different magnetic field directions produce divergent effects on cancer cell numbers as well as tumor growth in mice. This not only verified the safety of SMF exposure related to current MRI machines but also revealed the possible antitumor potential of magnetic field with an upward direction.

  20. A lysozyme and magnetic bead based method of separating intact bacteria.

    PubMed

    Diler, Ebru; Obst, Ursula; Schmitz, Katja; Schwartz, Thomas

    2011-07-01

    As a response to environmental stress, bacterial cells can enter a physiological state called viable but noncultivable (VBNC). In this state, bacteria fail to grow on routine bacteriological media. Consequently, standard methods of contamination detection based on bacteria cultivation fail. Although they are not growing, the cells are still alive and are able to reactivate their metabolism. The VBNC state and low bacterial densities are big challenges for cultivation-based pathogen detection in drinking water and the food industry, for example. In this context, a new molecular-biological separation method for bacteria using point-mutated lysozymes immobilised on magnetic beads for separating bacteria is described. The immobilised mutated lysozymes on magnetic beads serve as bait for the specific capture of bacteria from complex matrices or water due to their remaining affinity for bacterial cell wall components. Beads with bacteria can be separated using magnetic racks. To avoid bacterial cell lysis by the lysozymes, the protein was mutated at amino acid position 35, leading to the exchange of the catalytic glutamate for alanine (LysE35A) and glutamine (LysE35Q). As proved by turbidity assay with reference bacteria, the muramidase activity was knocked out. The mutated constructs were expressed by the yeast Pichia pastoris and secreted into expression medium. Protein enrichment and purification were carried out by SO(3)-functionalised nanoscale cationic exchanger particles. For a proof of principle, the proteins were biotinylated and immobilised on streptavidin-functionalised, fluorescence dye-labelled magnetic beads. These constructs were used for the successful capture of Syto9-marked Microccocus luteus cells from cell suspension, as visualised by fluorescence microscopy, which confirmed the success of the strategy.

  1. Mineral-Association and Activity of Bacteria and Archaea in the Deep Subsurface South Pacific Gyre Sediment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Steele, J. A.; Dekas, A. E.; Harrison, B. K.; Morono, Y.; Inagaki, F.; Ziebis, W.; Orphan, V. J.

    2012-12-01

    Although the subsurface biosphere is now recognized as an important reservoir of life on our planet, until recently the microbial community beneath open-ocean oligotrophic gyres (making up the majority of the seafloor) has just begun to be studied in detail. IODP Expedition 329 and the KNOX-022RR site survey cruise have taken some of the first steps at characterizing the microbial community beneath the South Pacific Gyre, a region with low organic carbon burial rates (10-8 and 10-10 moles C cm-1 yr-1), deep oxygen penetration (sediments are oxidized to the basement), and low prokaryotic cell counts (106 cells cm-3 to <103 cells cm-3). In these sediments, the dominant fraction of organic carbon may be aggregated or adsorbed to minerals, suggesting that microbes that are able to grow on the minerals may create potential "hotspots" of activity. In this study, we performed magnetic separation on oligotrophic sediment samples and examined the bacterial and archaeal communities using 16S rRNA tag sequencing. To determine if the mineral-associated cells were autotrophic and/or utilizing nitrate, we performed long-term (20 month) incubations with 13CO2 and 15NO3- from sediment taken at depths ~2-70 mbsf beneath the oligotrophic gyre and outside of the oligotrophic gyre (IODP Exp. 329 stations U1368-U1371). Subsequently we used the DNA stain SYBR Green I, and CARD-FISH-NanoSIMS to identify cells which were actively taking up the isotopic label. We then used SEM-EDS to identify the mineral particle composition. Preliminary results found the magnetic fraction in oligotrophic sediment (KNOX-022RR station SPG-5) from 1.2-2.6 mbsf showed a greater diversity of both bacteria and archaea. OTUs from Chloroflexi groups SO85 and SAR202 were dominant in the magnetic fraction. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, δ-Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Deferribacteres, WS3, OP10, and OP1 OTUs were found only in the magnetic fraction. Crenarchaeal OTUs from Marine Benthic Group B and Marine Group I (Thaumarchaea) and Euryarchaeal OTUs from Methanomicrobia and Thermococcus groups were found in the magnetic fraction with Marine Group I Crenarchaea showing the highest archaeal abundance. The higher diversity in the magnetic fraction suggests that bacteria and archaea associated with Fe-rich or Mn-rich minerals may be able to exploit a wider array of niches. Comparing sediment from within and outside the gyre, the more productive sediments had greater total cell numbers; however, we observed an increase in attached cells in the relatively Fe and P-rich samples (the heavy fraction) in the oligotrophic sediments (IODP Exp. 329 station U1368 and KNOX-022RR station SPG-6), suggesting a possible preference for attachment to Fe and P-rich particles.

  2. Magnetic levitating polymeric nano/microparticular substrates for three-dimensional tumor cell culture.

    PubMed

    Lee, Woong Ryeol; Oh, Kyung Taek; Park, So Young; Yoo, Na Young; Ahn, Yong Sik; Lee, Don Haeng; Youn, Yu Seok; Lee, Deok-Keun; Cha, Kyung-Hoi; Lee, Eun Seong

    2011-07-01

    Herein, we describe magnetic cell levitation models using conventional polymeric microparticles or nanoparticles as a substrate for the three-dimensional tumor cell culture. When the magnetic force originating from the ring-shaped magnets overcame the gravitational force, the magnetic field-levitated KB tumor cells adhered to the surface area of magnetic iron oxide (Fe(3)O(4))-encapsulated nano/microparticles and concentrated clusters of levitated cells, ultimately developing tumor cells to tumor spheroids. These simple cell culture models may prove useful for the screening of anticancer drugs and their formulations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Peptide-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for cancer therapy applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hauser, Anastasia Kruse

    Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States. Radiation and chemotherapy are conventional treatments, but they result in serious side effects and the probability of tumor recurrence remains high. Therefore, there is an increasing need to enhance the efficacy of conventional treatments. Magnetic nanoparticles have been previously studied for a variety of applications such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, anemia treatment, magnetic cell sorting and magnetically mediated hyperthermia (MMH). In this work, dextran coated iron oxide nanoparticles were developed and functionalized with peptides to target the nanoparticles to either the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tumor tissue or to localize the nanoparticles in subcellular regions after cell uptake. The magnetic nanoparticles were utilized for a variety of applications. First, heating properties of the nanoparticles were utilized to administer hyperthermia treatments combined with chemotherapy. The nanoparticles were functionalized with peptides to target fibrinogen in the ECM and extensively characterized for their physicochemical properties, and MMH combined with chemotherapy was able to enhance the toxicity of chemotherapy. The second application of the nanoparticles was magnetically mediated energy delivery. This treatment does not result in a bulk temperature rise upon actuation of the nanoparticles by an alternating magnetic field (AMF) but rather results in intracellular damage via friction from Brownian rotation or nanoscale heating effects from Neel relaxations. The nanoparticles were functionalized with a cell penetrating peptide to facilitate cell uptake and lysosomal escape. The intracellular effects of the internalized nanoparticles alone and with activation by an AMF were evaluated. Iron concentrations in vivo are highly regulated as excess iron can catalyze the formation of the hydroxyl radical through Fenton chemistry. Although often a concern of using iron oxide nanoparticles for therapeutic applications, these inherent toxicities were harnessed and utilized to enhance radiation therapy. Therefore, the third application of magnetic nanoparticles was their ability to catalyze reactive oxygen species formation and increase efficacy of radiation. Overall, iron oxide nanoparticles have a variety of cancer therapy applications and are a promising class of materials for increasing efficacy and reducing the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. Keywords: iron oxide nanoparticles, peptides, magnetically mediated hyperthermia, magnetically mediated energy delivery, reactive oxygen species.

  4. Cellular transfer of magnetic nanoparticles via cell microvesicles: impact on cell tracking by magnetic resonance imaging.

    PubMed

    Silva, Amanda K Andriola; Wilhelm, Claire; Kolosnjaj-Tabi, Jelena; Luciani, Nathalie; Gazeau, Florence

    2012-05-01

    Cell labeling with magnetic nanoparticles can be used to monitor the fate of transplanted cells in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging. However, nanoparticles initially internalized in administered cells might end up in other cells of the host organism. We investigated a mechanism of intercellular cross-transfer of magnetic nanoparticles to different types of recipient cells via cell microvesicles released under cellular stress. Three cell types (mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells and macrophages) were labeled with 8-nm iron oxide nanoparticles. Then cells underwent starvation stress, during which they produced microvesicles that were subsequently transferred to unlabeled recipient cells. The analysis of the magnetophoretic mobility of donor cells indicated that magnetic load was partially lost under cell stress. Microvesicles shed by stressed cells participated in the release of magnetic label. Moreover, such microvesicles were uptaken by naïve cells, resulting in cellular redistribution of nanoparticles. Iron load of recipient cells allowed their detection by MRI. Cell microvesicles released under stress may be disseminated throughout the organism, where they can be uptaken by host cells. The transferred cargo may be sufficient to allow MRI detection of these secondarily labeled cells, leading to misinterpretations of the effectiveness of transplanted cells.

  5. Integrin α(V)β(3)-targeted magnetic nanohybrids with enhanced antitumor efficacy, cell cycle arrest ability, and encouraging anti-cell-migration activity.

    PubMed

    Ding, Guo-Bin; Wang, Yan; Guo, Yi; Xu, Li

    2014-10-08

    Organic/inorganic nanohybrids, which integrate advantages of the biocompatibility of organic polymers and diversified functionalities of inorganic nanoparticles, have been extensively investigated in recent years. Herein, we report the construction of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-cysteine (RGDC) tetrapeptide functionalized and 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)-encapsulated magnetic nanohybrids (RFHEMNs) for integrin αVβ3-targeted drug delivery. The obtained RFHEMNs were near-spherical in shape with a homogeneous size about 50 nm, and exhibited a superparamagnetic behavior. In vitro drug release study showed a sustained and pH-dependent release profile. Cell viability tests revealed that RFHEMNs displayed a significant enhancement of cytotoxicity against αVβ3-overexpressing A549 cells, as compared to free HCPT and nontargeting micelles. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that this cytotoxic effect was associated with dose-dependent S phase arrest. Finally, RFHEMNs exerted encouraging anti-cell-migration activity as determined by an in vitro wound-healing assay and a transwell assay. Overall, we envision that this tumor-targeting nanoscale drug delivery system may be of great application potential in chemotherapy of primary tumor and their metastases.

  6. Endowing carbon nanotubes with superparamagnetic properties: applications for cell labeling, MRI cell tracking and magnetic manipulations.

    PubMed

    Lamanna, Giuseppe; Garofalo, Antonio; Popa, Gabriela; Wilhelm, Claire; Bégin-Colin, Sylvie; Felder-Flesch, Delphine; Bianco, Alberto; Gazeau, Florence; Ménard-Moyon, Cécilia

    2013-05-21

    Coating of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) imparts novel magnetic, optical, and thermal properties with potential applications in the biomedical domain. Multi-walled CNTs have been decorated with iron oxide superparamagnetic NPs. Two different approaches have been investigated based on ligand exchange or "click chemistry". The presence of the NPs on the nanotube surface allows conferring magnetic properties to CNTs. We have evaluated the potential of the NP/CNT hybrids as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and their interactions with cells. The capacity of the hybrids to magnetically monitor and manipulate cells has also been investigated. The NP/CNTs can be manipulated by a remote magnetic field with enhanced contrast in MRI. They are internalized into tumor cells without showing cytotoxicity. The labeled cells can be magnetically manipulated as they display magnetic mobility and are detected at a single cell level through high resolution MRI.

  7. Towards an on-chip platform for the controlled application of forces via magnetic particles: A novel device for mechanobiology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Monticelli, M.; Albisetti, E.; Petti, D.; Conca, D. V.; Falcone, M.; Sharma, P. P.; Bertacco, R.

    2015-05-01

    In-vitro tests and analyses are of fundamental importance for investigating biological mechanisms in cells and bio-molecules. The controlled application of forces to activate specific bio-pathways and investigate their effects, mimicking the role of the cellular environment, is becoming a prominent approach in this field. In this work, we present a non-invasive magnetic on-chip platform which allows for the manipulation of magnetic particles, through micrometric magnetic conduits of Permalloy patterned on-chip. We show, from simulations and experiments, that this technology permits to exert a finely controlled force on magnetic beads along the chip surface. This force can be tuned from few to hundreds pN by applying a variable external magnetic field.

  8. Effects of PVA-coated nanoparticles on human T helper cell activity.

    PubMed

    Strehl, Cindy; Schellmann, Saskia; Maurizi, Lionel; Hofmann-Amtenbrink, Margarethe; Häupl, Thomas; Hofmann, Heinrich; Buttgereit, Frank; Gaber, Timo

    2016-03-14

    Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are used as high-sensitive enhancer for magnetic resonance imaging, where they represent a promising tool for early diagnosis of destructive diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since we could demonstrate that professional phagocytes are activated by amino-polyvinyl-alcohol-coated-SPION (a-PVA-SPION), the study here focuses on the influence of a-PVA-SPION on human T cells activity. Therefore, primary human CD4+ T cells from RA patients and healthy subjects were treated with varying doses of a-PVA-SPION for 20h or 72h. T cells were then analyzed for apoptosis, cellular energy, expression of the activation marker CD25 and cell proliferation. Although, we observed that T cells from RA patients are more susceptible to low-dose a-PVA-SPION-induced apoptosis than T cells from healthy subjects, in both groups a-PVA-SPION do not activate CD4+ T cells per se and do not influence mitogen-mediated T cells activation with regard to CD25 expression and cell proliferation. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate that CD4+ T cells from RA patients and healthy subjects differ in their response to mitogen stimulation and oxygen availability. We conclude from our data, that a-PVA-SPION do neither activate nor significantly influence mitogen-stimulated CD4+ T cells activation and have negligible influence on T cells apoptosis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Induction of cell death by magnetic particles in response to a gradient magnetic field inside a uniform magnetic field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Amaya-Jaramillo, Carlos David; Pérez-Portilla, Adriana Patricia; Serrano-Olmedo, José Javier; Ramos-Gómez, Milagros

    2017-10-01

    A new instrument based on a magnetic force produced by an alternating magnetic field gradient, which is obtained through Maxwell coils, inside a constant field magnet has been designed and used to produce cell death. We have determined the interaction of microparticles and cells under different conditions such as incubation time with microparticles, particle size, magnetic field exposition time, and different current waveforms at different frequencies to produce a magnetic field gradient. We determined that the highest rate of cell death occurs at a frequency of 1 Hz with a square waveform and 1 h of irradiation. This method could be of great interest to remove cancer cells due mainly to the alterations in stiffness observed in the membranes of the tumor cells. Cancer cells can be eliminated in response to the forces caused by the movement of magnetic nanoparticles of the appropriate size under the application of a specific magnetic field. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  10. Coercivity temperature dependence of Sm2Co17-type sintered magnets with different cell and cell boundary microchemistry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Nengjun; Zhu, Minggang; Song, Liwei; Fang, Yikun; Song, KuiKui; Wang, Qiang; Li, Wei

    2018-04-01

    High maximum energy product ((BH)max) Sm(CobalFe0.18Cu0.07Zr0.03)7.7 magnet (type-A) and high temperature Sm(CobalFe0.1Cu0.09Zr0.03)7.2 magnet (type-B) were prepared by a traditional powder metallurgical technology. A record (BH)max of 98.7 kJ/m3 with a coercivity (Hcj) of 501.5 kA/m at 773 K was achieved for the type-B magnet, which is much higher than that of type-A magnet (63.7 kJ/m3). The microstructures of the magnets were revealed by high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The average cell size of the type-A and B magnet are 110 nm and 90 nm, respectively. Moreover, the type-B magnet shows a wider cell boundary than the type-A magnet. Additionally, the element distribution of the cell/cell boundary interfaces was measured by energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The cell phase of the type-A magnet contains a higher Fe content as about 17 at%, comparing with that of the type-B magnet (∼8.9 at%). On the other hand, the Cu content of the cell boundary phase is 18 at% almost twice higher than the type-B magnet (8.6 at%). Theoretical Hcj temperature dependence of these two kinds of magnets indicates that the lower Cu content in the cell boundary phase and the appropriate Fe content in the cell phase are the key factors for the high Hcj for the type-B magnet at elevated temperature.

  11. The mechanisms of the effects of magnetic fields on cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kondrachuk, A.

    The evolution of organisms in conditions of the Earth magnetism results in close dependence of their functioning on the properties of the Earth magnetic field. The magnetic conditions in space flight differ from those on the Earth (e.g. much smaller values of magnetic filed) that effect various processes in living organisms. Meanwhile the mechanisms of interaction of magnetic fields with cell structures are poorly understood and systemized. The goal of the present work is to analyze and estimate the main established mechanisms of "magnetic fields - cell" interaction. Due to variety and complexity of the effects the analysis is mainly restricted to biological effects of the static magnetic field at a cellular level. 1) Magnetic induction. Static magnetic fields exert forces on moving ions in solution (e.g., electrolytes), giving rise to induced electric fields and currents. This effect may be especially important when the currents changed due to the magnetic field application are participating in some receptor functions of cells (e.g. plant cells). 2) Magneto-mechanical effect of reorientation. Uniform static magnetic fields produce torques on certain molecules with anisotropic magnetic properties, which results in their reorientation and spatial ordering. Since the structures of biological cells are magnetically and mechanically inhomogeneous, the application of a homogeneous magnetic field may cause redistribution of stresses within cells, deformation of intracellular structures, change of membrane permeability, etc. 3) Ponderomotive effects. Spatially non-uniform magnetic field exerts ponderomotive force on magnetically non-uniform cell structures. This force is proportional to the gradient of the square of magnetic field and the difference of magnetic susceptibilities of the component of the cell and its environment. 4) Biomagnetic effects. Magnetic fields can exert torques and translational forces on ferromagnetic structures, such as magnetite and ferritins presented in the cells. 5) Electronic interactions. Static magnetic fields can alter energy levels and spin orientation of electrons. Similar interactions can also occur with nuclear spins, but these are very weak compared to electron interactions. 6) Free radicals. Magnetic fields alter the spin states of the radicals, which, in turn, changes the relative probabilities of recombination and other interactions, possibly with biological consequences. 7) Non-linear effects. A number of non-linear mechanisms of magnetic effects on cells were recently proposed to explain how the cell could extract a weak magnetic signal from noise (e.g. stochastic non-linear resonance, self-tuned Hopf bifurcations). These new models need further experimental testing.

  12. Bio-active engineered 50 nm silica nanoparticles with bone anabolic activity: therapeutic index, effective concentration, and cytotoxicity profile in vitro

    PubMed Central

    Ha, Shin-Woo; Sikorski, James A.; Weitzmann, M. Neale; Beck, George R.

    2014-01-01

    Silica-based nanomaterials are generally considered to be excellent candidates for therapeutic applications particularly related to skeletal metabolism however the current data surrounding the safety of silica based nanomaterials is conflicting. This may be due to differences in size, shape, incorporation of composite materials, surface properties, as well as the presence of contaminants following synthesis. In this study we performed extensive in vitro safety profiling of ~50 nm spherical silica nanoparticles with OH-terminated or Polyethylene Glycol decorated surface, with and without a magnetic core, and synthesized by the Stöber method. Nineteen different cell lines representing all major organ types were used to investigate an in vitro lethal concentration (LC) and results revealed little toxicity in any cell type analyzed. To calculate an in vitro therapeutic index we quantified the effective concentration at 50% response (EC50) for nanoparticle-stimulated mineral deposition activity using primary bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The EC50 for BMSCs was not substantially altered by surface or magnetic core. The calculated Inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) for pre-osteoclasts was similar to the osteoblastic cells. These results demonstrate the pharmacological potential of certain silica-based nanomaterial formulations for use in treating bone diseases based on a favorable in vitro therapeutic index. PMID:24333519

  13. Effect of magnetic bead agglomeration on Cytomagnetometric measurements.

    PubMed

    Möller, Winfried; Nemoto, Iku; Heyder, Joachim

    2003-12-01

    Magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC) is a novel tool to measure cytoskeleton-associated cell functions by the use of ferromagnetic microbeads. Magnetic beads are either incorporated by living cells by phagocytic processes or attached to integrin receptors to the cell membrane. The magnetic beads are magnetized and aligned in a strong magnetic field pulse. The application of twisting forces allows to investigate mechanical properties (stiffness, viscoelasticity) of the cytoskeleton of living cells by analyzing the magnetic cell field. Incorporated magnetic beads undergo intracellular transport processes, which result in a loss of particle alignment and in a decay of the remanent magnetic cell field. This process, called relaxation, depends on the mechanical cytoskeletal properties and can directly visualize the intracellular energy of cellular transport processes. The preparation of spherical monodisperse ferromagnetic beads made it possible to understand the above-described processes using mathematical models. Experimental conditions with many magnetic particles per cell enhances the formation of aggregates because of the attractive forces between magnetic spheres, resulting in a change of magnetic properties and of hydrodynamic behavior. Due to mutual magnetization, the remanent magnetic moment of an aggregate is stronger compared to the same number of single particles. This implies a higher cell field. Additionally the relaxation is retarded because of the change in shape factor and in volume, which also implies a faulty estimation of intracellular transport energy. Magnetic particle twisting is less influenced. In summary, valuable cytomagnetometric measurements have to be done with less than one particle per macrophage to ensure low probability of multiple particles per cell.

  14. Deep magnetic capture of magnetically loaded cells for spatially targeted therapeutics.

    PubMed

    Huang, Zheyong; Pei, Ning; Wang, Yanyan; Xie, Xinxing; Sun, Aijun; Shen, Li; Zhang, Shuning; Liu, Xuebo; Zou, Yunzeng; Qian, Juying; Ge, Junbo

    2010-03-01

    Magnetic targeting has recently demonstrated potential in promoting magnetically loaded cell delivery to target lesion, but its application is limited by magnetic attenuation. For deep magnetic capture of cells for spatial targeting therapeutics, we designed a magnetic pole, in which the magnetic field density can be focused at a distance from the pole. As flowing through a tube served as a model of blood vessels, the magnetically loaded mesenchymal stem cells (MagMSCs) were highly enriched at the site distance from the magnetic pole. The cell capture efficiency was positively influenced by the magnetic flux density, and inversely influenced by the flow velocity, and well-fitted with the deductive value by theoretical considerations. It appeared to us that the spatially-focused property of the magnetic apparatus promises a new deep targeting strategy to promote homing and engraftment for cellular therapy. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Large-Scale Coronal Heating, Clustering of Coronal Bright Points, and Concentration of Magnetic Flux

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Falconer, D. A.; Moore, R. L.; Porter, J. G.; Hathaway, D. H.

    1998-01-01

    By combining quiet-region Fe XII coronal images from SOHO/EIT with magnetograms from NSO/Kitt Peak and from SOHO/MDI, we show that on scales larger than a supergranule the population of network coronal bright points and the magnetic flux content of the network are both markedly greater under the bright half of the quiet corona than under the dim half. These results (1) support the view that the heating of the entire corona in quiet regions and coronal holes is driven by fine-scale magnetic activity (microflares, explosive events, spicules) seated low in the magnetic network, and (2) suggest that this large-scale modulation of the magnetic flux and coronal heating is a signature of giant convection cells.

  16. Enhancement of algicidal properties of immobilized Bacillus methylotrophicus ZJU by coating with magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and wheat bran.

    PubMed

    Sun, Pengfei; Hui, Cai; Wang, Sheng; Khan, Rashid Azim; Zhang, Qichun; Zhao, Yu-Hua

    2016-01-15

    Algicidal bacteria offer a promising option for killing cyanobacteria. In this study, a newly isolated strain of Bacillus methylotrophicus, ZJU, was used to control Microcystis aeruginosa. Analyses of relative reactive oxygen level, malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase activity, and fluorescence staining indicated that oxidative damage caused by the algicidal supernatant of strain ZJU mainly affected the cell membrane and consequently the membrane permeability and membrane potential of M. aeruginosa cells. Furthermore, an embedded immobilization technique was employed to improve the practical application of strain ZJU as an algicidal agent. On this basis, we proposed a novel concept of enhancing the algicidal properties of immobilized ZJU by adding Fe3O4 nanoparticles and wheat bran in the process of immobilization. Our studies showed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles conferred the immobilized bacteria with a magnetization of 30.87 emu/g, and this magnetization enabled efficient re-collection of the immobilized bacteria by magnetic means. Moreover, wheat bran endowed the immobilized bacteria with 10.34% higher algicidal activity than immobilized bacteria without wheat bran. The results indicate a novel concept of enhancing the algicidal property of bacteria against M. aeruginosa by adding Fe3O4 nanoparticles and wheat bran. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Magnetic field effect on growth, arsenic uptake, and total amylolytic activity on mesquite (Prosopis juliflora x P. velutina) seeds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flores-Tavizón, Edith; Mokgalaka-Matlala, Ntebogeng S.; Elizalde Galindo, José T.; Castillo-Michelle, Hiram; Peralta-Videa, Jose R.; Gardea-Torresdey, Jorge L.

    2012-04-01

    Magnetic field is closely related to the cell metabolism of plants [N. A. Belyavskaya, Adv. Space Res. 34, 1566 (2004)]. In order to see the effect of magnetic field on the plant growth, arsenic uptake, and total amylolytic activity of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora x P. velutina) seeds, ten sets of 80 seeds were selected to be oriented with the long axis parallel or randomly oriented to an external magnetic field. The external magnetic field magnitude was 1 T, and the exposition time t = 30 min. Then, the seeds were stored for three days in a plastic bag and then sown on paper towels in a modified Hoagland's nutrient solution. After three days of germination in the dark and three days in light, seedlings were grown hydroponically in modified Hoagland's nutrient solution (high PO42-) containing 0, 10, or 20 ppm of arsenic as As (III) and (V). The results show that the germination ratios, growth, elongation, arsenic uptake, and total amylolytic activity of the long axis oriented mesquite seeds were much higher than those of the randomly oriented seeds. Also, these two sets of seeds showed higher properties than the ones that were not exposed to external magnetic field.

  18. Magnetic fluid hyperthermia enhances cytotoxicity of bortezomib in sensitive and resistant cancer cell lines.

    PubMed

    Alvarez-Berríos, Merlis P; Castillo, Amalchi; Rinaldi, Carlos; Torres-Lugo, Madeline

    2014-01-01

    The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BZ) has shown promising results in some types of cancer, but in others it has had minimal activity. Recent studies have reported enhanced efficacy of BZ when combined with hyperthermia. However, the use of magnetic nanoparticles to induce hyperthermia in combination with BZ has not been reported. This novel hyperthermia modality has shown better potentiation of chemotherapeutics over other types of hyperthermia. We hypothesized that inducing hyperthermia via magnetic nanoparticles (MFH) would enhance the cytotoxicity of BZ in BZ-sensitive and BZ-resistant cancer cells more effectively than hyperthermia using a hot water bath (HWH). Studies were conducted using BZ in combination with MFH in two BZ-sensitive cell lines (MDA-MB-468, Caco-2), and one BZ-resistant cell line (A2780) at two different conditions, ie, 43°C for 30 minutes and 45°C for 30 minutes. These experiments were compared with combined application of HWH and BZ. The results indicate enhanced potentiation between hyperthermic treatment and BZ. MFH combined with BZ induced cytotoxicity in sensitive and resistant cell lines to a greater extent than HWH under the same treatment conditions. The observation that MFH sensitizes BZ-resistant cell lines makes this approach a potentially effective anticancer therapy platform.

  19. Viscoelastic Properties Measurement of Human Lymphocytes by Atomic Force Microscopy Based on Magnetic Beads Cell Isolation.

    PubMed

    Mi Li; Lianqing Liu; Xiubin Xiao; Ning Xi; Yuechao Wang

    2016-07-01

    Cell mechanics has been proved to be an effective biomarker for indicating cellular states. The advent of atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides an exciting instrument for measuring the mechanical properties of single cells. However, current AFM single-cell mechanical measurements are commonly performed on cell lines cultured in vitro which are quite different from the primary cells in the human body. Investigating the mechanical properties of primary cells from clinical environments can help us to better understand cell behaviors. Here, by combining AFM with magnetic beads cell isolation, the viscoelastic properties of human primary B lymphocytes were quantitatively measured. B lymphocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers by density gradient centrifugation and CD19 magnetic beads cell isolation. The activity and specificity of the isolated cells were confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. AFM imaging revealed the surface topography and geometric parameters of B lymphocytes. The instantaneous modulus and relaxation time of living B lymphocytes were measured by AFM indenting technique, showing that the instantaneous modulus of human normal B lymphocytes was 2-3 kPa and the relaxation times were 0.03-0.06 s and 0.35-0.55 s. The differences in cellular visocoelastic properties between primary B lymphocytes and cell lines cultured in vitro were analyzed. The study proves the capability of AFM in quantifying the viscoelastic properties of individual specific primary cells from the blood sample of clinical patients, which will improve our understanding of the behaviors of cells in the human body.

  20. Monitoring the endocytosis of magnetic nanoparticles by cells using permanent micro-flux sources.

    PubMed

    Osman, O; Zanini, L F; Frénéa-Robin, M; Dumas-Bouchiat, F; Dempsey, N M; Reyne, G; Buret, F; Haddour, N

    2012-10-01

    Trapping of cells is essential to perform basic handling operations in cell-based microsystems, such as media exchange, concentration, cell isolation and cell sorting. Cell trapping by magnetophoresis typically requires cell labeling with magnetic nanoparticles. Here we report on endocytotic uptake of 100 nm magnetic nanoparticles by Human Embryonic Kidney 293 cells. The attraction of labeled cells by micro-magnet arrays characterised by very high magnetic field gradients (≤10⁶ T/m) was studied as a function of labeling conditions (nanoparticle concentration in the extracellular medium, incubation time). The threshold incubation conditions for effective magnetophoretic trapping were established. This simple technique may be exploited to minimise the quantity of magnetic nanoparticles needed for efficient cell trapping, thus reducing stress or nanoparticle-mediated toxicity. Nanoparticle internalization into cells was confirmed using both confocal and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

  1. The potential of a dielectrophoresis activated cell sorter (DACS) as a next generation cell sorter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Dongkyu; Hwang, Bohyun; Kim, Byungkyu

    2016-12-01

    Originally introduced by H. A. Pohl in 1951, dielectrophoretic (DEP) force has been used as a striking tool for biological particle manipulation (or separation) for the last few decades. In particular, dielectrophoresis activated cell sorters (DACSes) have been developed for applications in various biomedical fields. These applications include cell replacement therapy, drug screening and medical diagnostics. Since a DACS does not require a specific bio-marker, it is able to function as a biological particle sorting tool with numerous configurations for various cells [e.g. red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), circulating tumor cells, leukemia cells, breast cancer cells, bacterial cells, yeast cells and sperm cells]. This article explores current DACS capabilities worldwide, and it also looks at recent developments intended to overcome particular limitations. First, the basic theories are reviewed. Then, representative DACSes based on DEP trapping, traveling wave DEP systems, DEP field-flow fractionation and DEP barriers are introduced, and the strong and weak points of each DACS are discussed. Finally, for the purposes of commercialization, prerequisites regarding throughput, efficiency and recovery rates are discussed in detail through comparisons with commercial cell sorters (e.g. fluorescent activated and magnetic activated cell sorters).

  2. Advanced Active-Magnetic-Bearing Thrust-Measurement System

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Imlach, Joseph; Kasarda, Mary; Blumber, Eric

    2008-01-01

    An advanced thrust-measurement system utilizes active magnetic bearings to both (1) levitate a floating frame in all six degrees of freedom and (2) measure the levitation forces between the floating frame and a grounded frame. This system was developed for original use in measuring the thrust exerted by a rocket engine mounted on the floating frame, but can just as well be used in other force-measurement applications. This system offers several advantages over prior thrust-measurement systems based on mechanical support by flexures and/or load cells: The system includes multiple active magnetic bearings for each degree of freedom, so that by selective use of one, some, or all of these bearings, it is possible to test a given article over a wide force range in the same fixture, eliminating the need to transfer the article to different test fixtures to obtain the benefit of full-scale accuracy of different force-measurement devices for different force ranges. Like other active magnetic bearings, the active magnetic bearings of this system include closed-loop control subsystems, through which the stiffness and damping characteristics of the magnetic bearings can be modified electronically. The design of the system minimizes or eliminates cross-axis force-measurement errors. The active magnetic bearings are configured to provide support against movement along all three orthogonal Cartesian axes, and such that the support along a given axis does not produce force along any other axis. Moreover, by eliminating the need for such mechanical connections as flexures used in prior thrust-measurement systems, magnetic levitation of the floating frame eliminates what would otherwise be major sources of cross-axis forces and the associated measurement errors. Overall, relative to prior mechanical-support thrust-measurement systems, this system offers greater versatility for adaptation to a variety of test conditions and requirements. The basic idea of most prior active-magnetic-bearing force-measurement systems is to calculate levitation forces on the basis of simple proportionalities between changes in those forces and changes in feedback-controlled currents applied to levitating electromagnetic coils. In the prior systems, the effects of gap lengths on fringing magnetic fields and the concomitant effects on magnetic forces were neglected. In the present system, the control subsystems of the active magnetic bearings are coupled with a computer-based automatic calibration system running special-purpose software wherein gap-length-dependent fringing factors are applied to current and magnetic-flux-based force equations and combined with a multipoint calibration method to obtain greater accuracy.

  3. Lipid vesicle-mediated affinity chromatography using magnetic activated cell sorting (LIMACS): a novel method to analyze protein-lipid interaction.

    PubMed

    Bieberich, Erhard

    2011-04-26

    The analysis of lipid protein interaction is difficult because lipids are embedded in cell membranes and therefore, inaccessible to most purification procedures. As an alternative, lipids can be coated on flat surfaces as used for lipid ELISA and Plasmon resonance spectroscopy. However, surface coating lipids do not form microdomain structures, which may be important for the lipid binding properties. Further, these methods do not allow for the purification of larger amounts of proteins binding to their target lipids. To overcome these limitations of testing lipid protein interaction and to purify lipid binding proteins we developed a novel method termed lipid vesicle-mediated affinity chromatography using magnetic-activated cell sorting (LIMACS). In this method, lipid vesicles are prepared with the target lipid and phosphatidylserine as the anchor lipid for Annexin V MACS. Phosphatidylserine is a ubiquitous cell membrane phospholipid that shows high affinity to the protein Annexin V. Using magnetic beads conjugated to Annexin V the phosphatidylserine-containing lipid vesicles will bind to the magnetic beads. When the lipid vesicles are incubated with a cell lysate the protein binding to the target lipid will also be bound to the beads and can be co-purified using MACS. This method can also be used to test if recombinant proteins reconstitute a protein complex binding to the target lipid. We have used this method to show the interaction of atypical PKC (aPKC) with the sphingolipid ceramide and to co-purify prostate apoptosis response 4 (PAR-4), a protein binding to ceramide-associated aPKC. We have also used this method for the reconstitution of a ceramide-associated complex of recombinant aPKC with the cell polarity-related proteins Par6 and Cdc42. Since lipid vesicles can be prepared with a variety of sphingo- or phospholipids, LIMACS offers a versatile test for lipid-protein interaction in a lipid environment that resembles closely that of the cell membrane. Additional lipid protein complexes can be identified using proteomics analysis of lipid binding protein co-purified with the lipid vesicles.

  4. Changes in pyruvate metabolism detected by magnetic resonance imaging are linked to DNA damage and serve as a sensor of temozolomide response in glioblastoma cells

    PubMed Central

    Park, Ilwoo; Mukherjee, Joydeep; Ito, Motokazu; Chaumeil, Myriam M.; Jalbert, Llewellyn E.; Gaensler, Karin; Ronen, Sabrina M.; Nelson, Sarah J.; Pieper, Russell O.

    2014-01-01

    Recent findings show that exposure to temozolomide (TMZ), a DNA damaging drug used to treat glioblastoma, can suppress the conversion of pyruvate to lactate. To understand the mechanistic basis for this effect and its potential utility as a TMZ response biomarker, we compared the response of isogenic glioblastoma cell populations differing only in expression of the DNA repair protein MGMT, a TMZ-sensitivity determinant, after exposure to TMZ in vitro and in vivo. Hyperpolarized [1-(13)C]-pyruvate-based magnetic resonance imaging was used to monitor temporal effects on pyruvate metabolism in parallel with DNA damage responses and tumor cell growth. TMZ exposure decreased conversion of pyruvate to lactate only in MGMT-deficient cells. This effect coincided temporally with TMZ-induced increases in levels of the DNA damage response protein pChk1. Changes in pyruvate to lactate conversion triggered by TMZ preceded tumor growth suppression and were not associated with changes in levels of NADH or lactate dehydrogenase activity in tumors. Instead, they were associated with a TMZ-induced decrease in the expression and activity of pyruvate kinase PKM2, a glycolytic enzyme that indirectly controls pyruvate metabolism. PKM2 silencing decreased pyruvate kinase activity, intracellular lactate levels, and conversion of pyruvate to lactate in the same manner as TMZ, and Chk1 silencing blocked the TMZ-induced decrease in PKM2 expression. Overall, our findings showed how TMZ-induced DNA damage is linked through PKM2 to changes in pyruvate metabolism, and how these changes can be exploited by magnetic resonance imaging methods as an early sensor of TMZ therapeutic response. PMID:25320009

  5. The Effect of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Surface Charge on Antigen Cross-Presentation.

    PubMed

    Mou, Yongbin; Xing, Yun; Ren, Hongyan; Cui, Zhihua; Zhang, Yu; Yu, Guangjie; Urba, Walter J; Hu, Qingang; Hu, Hongming

    2017-12-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) have been explored for different kinds of applications in biomedicine, mechanics, and information. Here, we explored the synthetic SPIO NPs as an adjuvant on antigen cross-presentation ability by enhancing the intracellular delivery of antigens into antigen presenting cells (APCs). Particles with different chemical modifications and surface charges were used to study the mechanism of action of antigen delivery. Specifically, two types of magnetic NPs, γFe 2 O 3 /APTS (3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane) NPs and γFe 2 O 3 /DMSA (meso-2, 3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid) NPs, with the same crystal structure, magnetic properties, and size distribution were prepared. Then, the promotion of T-cell activation via dendritic cells (DCs) was compared among different charged antigen coated NPs. Moreover, the activation of the autophagy, cytosolic delivery of the antigens, and antigen degradation mediated by the proteasome and lysosome were measured. Our results indicated that positive charged γFe 2 O 3 /APTS NPs, but not negative charged γFe 2 O 3 /DMSA NPs, enhanced the cross-presentation ability of DCs. Increased cross-presentation ability induced by γFe 2 O 3 /APTS NPs was associated with increased cytosolic antigen delivery. On the contrary, γFe 2 O 3 /DMSA NPs was associated with rapid autophagy. Overall, our results suggest that antigen delivered in cytoplasm induced by positive charged particles is beneficial for antigen cross-presentation and T-cell activation. NPs modified with different chemistries exhibit diverse biological properties and differ greatly in their adjuvant potentials. Thus, it should be carefully considered many different effects of NPs to design effective and safe adjuvants.

  6. The Effect of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Surface Charge on Antigen Cross-Presentation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mou, Yongbin; Xing, Yun; Ren, Hongyan; Cui, Zhihua; Zhang, Yu; Yu, Guangjie; Urba, Walter J.; Hu, Qingang; Hu, Hongming

    2017-01-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) have been explored for different kinds of applications in biomedicine, mechanics, and information. Here, we explored the synthetic SPIO NPs as an adjuvant on antigen cross-presentation ability by enhancing the intracellular delivery of antigens into antigen presenting cells (APCs). Particles with different chemical modifications and surface charges were used to study the mechanism of action of antigen delivery. Specifically, two types of magnetic NPs, γFe2O3/APTS (3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane) NPs and γFe2O3/DMSA (meso-2, 3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid) NPs, with the same crystal structure, magnetic properties, and size distribution were prepared. Then, the promotion of T-cell activation via dendritic cells (DCs) was compared among different charged antigen coated NPs. Moreover, the activation of the autophagy, cytosolic delivery of the antigens, and antigen degradation mediated by the proteasome and lysosome were measured. Our results indicated that positive charged γFe2O3/APTS NPs, but not negative charged γFe2O3/DMSA NPs, enhanced the cross-presentation ability of DCs. Increased cross-presentation ability induced by γFe2O3/APTS NPs was associated with increased cytosolic antigen delivery. On the contrary, γFe2O3/DMSA NPs was associated with rapid autophagy. Overall, our results suggest that antigen delivered in cytoplasm induced by positive charged particles is beneficial for antigen cross-presentation and T-cell activation. NPs modified with different chemistries exhibit diverse biological properties and differ greatly in their adjuvant potentials. Thus, it should be carefully considered many different effects of NPs to design effective and safe adjuvants.

  7. Restoring the magnetism of ultrathin LaMn O3 films by surface symmetry engineering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peng, J. J.; Song, C.; Li, F.; Gu, Y. D.; Wang, G. Y.; Pan, F.

    2016-12-01

    The frustration of magnetization and conductivity properties of ultrathin manganite is detrimental to their device performance, preventing their scaling down process. Here we demonstrate that the magnetism of ultrathin LaMn O3 films can be restored by a SrTi O3 capping layer, which engineers the surface from a symmetry breaking induced out-of-plane orbital occupancy to the recovered in-plane orbital occupancy. The stabilized in-plane orbital occupancy would strengthen the intralayer double exchange and thus recovers the robust magnetism. This method is proved to be effective for films as thin as 2 unit cells, greatly shrinking the critical thickness of 6 unit cells for ferromagnetic LaMn O3 as demonstrated previously [Wang et al., Science 349, 716 (2015), 10.1126/science.aaa5198]. The achievement made in this work opens up new perspectives to an active control of surface states and thereby tailors the surface functional properties of transition metal oxides.

  8. Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles and their application in curcumin drug delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nui Pham, Xuan; Phuoc Nguyen, Tan; Nhung Pham, Tuyet; Thuy Nga Tran, Thi; Van Thi Tran, Thi

    2016-12-01

    In this work anti-cancer drug curcumin-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles was modified by chitosan (CS). The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using reverse micro-emulsion (water-in-oil) method. The magnetic nanoparticles without loaded drug and drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, SEM, TEM, and VSM techniques. These nanoparticles have almost spherical shape and their diameter varies from 8 nm to 17 nm. Measurement of VSM at room temperature showed that iron oxide nanoparticles have superparamagnetic properties. In vitro drug loading and release behavior of curcumin drug-loaded CS-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were studied by using UV-spectrophotometer. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the modified nanoparticles has shown anticancer activity against A549 cell with IC50 value of 73.03 μg/ml. Therefore, the modified magnetic nanoparticles can be used as drug delivery carriers on target in the treatment of cancer cells.

  9. Synthesis and characterization of electro-explosive magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bakina, O. V.; Glazkova, E. A.; Svarovskaya, N. V.; Lerner, M. I.; Korovin, M. S.; Fomenko, A. N.

    2017-09-01

    Nowadays there are new magnetic nanostructures based on bioactive metals with low toxicity and high efficiency for a wide range of biomedical applications including drugs delivery, antimicrobial drugs design, cells' separation and contrasting. For such applications it is necessary to develop highly magnetic particles with less than 100 nm in size. In the present study magnetic nanoparticles Fe, Fe3O4 and bimetallic Cu/Fe with the average size of 60-90 nm have been synthesized by electrical explosion of wire in an oxygen or argon atmosphere. The produced nanoparticles have been characterized with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray phase analysis, and nitrogen thermal desorption. The synthesized particles have shown antibacterial activity to gram-positive (S. aureus, MRSA) and gramnegative (E. coli, P. aeruginosa) bacteria. According to the cytological data Fe, Fe3O4 and Cu/Fe nanoparticles have effectively inhibited viability of cancer cell lines Neuro-2a and J774. The obtained nanoparticles are promising for new antimicrobial drugs and antitumor agents' development.

  10. A magnetic tri-enzyme nanobiocatalyst for fruit juice clarification.

    PubMed

    Sojitra, Uttam V; Nadar, Shamraja S; Rathod, Virendra K

    2016-12-15

    The major complications in fruit juice quality improvement are the presence of polysaccharides components in the form of disrupted fruit cell wall and cell materials. Hence, breakdown of cellulose along with pectin and starch is important for the juice processing. In this context, magnetic tri-enzyme nanobiocatalyst was prepared by simultaneously co-immobilizing three enzymes; α-amylase, pectinase and cellulase onto amino-functionalized magnetic nanoparticle by 60mM glutaraldehyde concentration with 10h cross-linking time for one pot juice clarification. The prepared nanobiocatalyst was characterized by FT-IR, SEM and XRD. The thermal (50-70°C) and pH (3-6) stability studies indicated more than two folds increment in half-life and enhanced tolerance to lower pH. The immobilized enzymes retained up to 75% of residual activity even after eight consecutive cycles of reuse. Finally, the clarification of apple, grapes and pineapple juices using magnetic tri-enzyme showed 41%, 46% and 53% respective reduction in turbidity till 150min treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Glioblastoma Targeted Gene Therapy Based on pEGFP/p53-Loaded Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Eslaminejad, Touba; Nematollahi-Mahani, Seyed Noureddin; Ansari, Mehdi

    2017-01-01

    Blood-brain barrier (BBB) separates the neural tissue from circulating blood because of its high selectivity. This study focused on the in vitro application of magnetic nanoparticles to deliver Tp53 as a gene of interest to glioblastoma (U87) cells across a simulated BBB model that comprised KB cells. After magnetic and non-magnetic nanoparticles were internalized by KB cells, their location in these cells was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Transfection efficiency of DNA to U87 cells was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, real time PCR, flowcytometry, and Western immuno-blotting. When a magnetic field was applied, a large number of magnetic nanoparticles accumulated in KB cells, appearing as black dots scattered in the cytoplasm of cells. Fluorescence microscope examination showed that transfection of the DNA to U87 target cells was highest in cells treated with magnetic nanoparticles and exposed to a magnetic field. Also it was reflected in significantly increased mRNA level while the p53 protein level was decreased. It could be concluded that a significant increase in total apoptosis was induced in cells by magnetic nanoparticles, coupled with exposure to a magnetic force (p ≤0.01) as compared with cells that were not exposed to magnetism. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  12. Magnetic vesicles as MRI-trackable biogenic nanovectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Andriola Silva, Amanda K.; Luciani, Nathalie; Gazeau, Florence; Wilhelm, Claire

    2012-03-01

    Magnetic labeling renders cells MRI-detectable which provides attractive solutions for tracking the fate of a transplanted cell population. Understanding the interplay of magnetic nanoparticles and cells is then an important point that should not be neglected. Here we show that in the condition of food starvation, macrophage cells emit vesicles containing nanoparticles. First, we inferred the intracellular iron oxide load from the magnetophoretic velocity of cells at a calibrated magnetic field gradient. After magnetic labeling and culture in stress conditions, the intracellular iron oxide load was once more determined and a detectable difference was observed before and after stress. Moreover, we identified in the stress conditioned medium membrane vesicle structures carrying magnetic particles. Besides pointing out the role of cell-derived vesicles in the sequestration of the intracellular magnetic label, experiments also demonstrated that vesicles were able to chaperone the magnetic cargo into naïve cells.

  13. High field gradient targeting of magnetic nanoparticle-loaded endothelial cells to the surfaces of steel stents

    PubMed Central

    Polyak, Boris; Fishbein, Ilia; Chorny, Michael; Alferiev, Ivan; Williams, Darryl; Yellen, Ben; Friedman, Gary; Levy, Robert J.

    2008-01-01

    A cell delivery strategy was investigated that was hypothesized to enable magnetic targeting of endothelial cells to the steel surfaces of intraarterial stents because of the following mechanisms: (i) preloading cells with biodegradable polymeric superparamagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), thereby rendering the cells magnetically responsive; and (ii) the induction of both magnetic field gradients around the wires of a steel stent and magnetic moments within MNPs because of a uniform external magnetic field, thereby targeting MNP-laden cells to the stent wires. In vitro studies demonstrated that MNP-loaded bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) could be magnetically targeted to steel stent wires. In vivo MNP-loaded BAECs transduced with adenoviruses expressing luciferase (Luc) were targeted to stents deployed in rat carotid arteries in the presence of a uniform magnetic field with significantly greater Luc expression, detected by in vivo optical imaging, than nonmagnetic controls. PMID:18182491

  14. Combination of hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy on mesenchymal stem cell line treated with chloroaluminum phthalocyanine magnetic-nanoemulsion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Paula, Leonardo B.; Primo, Fernando L.; Pinto, Marcelo R.; Morais, Paulo C.; Tedesco, Antonio C.

    2015-04-01

    The present study reports on the preparation and the cell viability assay of two nanoemulsions loaded with magnetic nanoparticle and chloroaluminum phthalocyanine. The preparations contain equal amount of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (0.05 mg/mL) but different contents of magnetic nanoparticle (0.15×1013 or 1.50×1013 particle/mL). The human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell line was used as the model to assess the cell viability and this type of cell can be used as a model to mimic cancer stem cells. The cell viability assays were performed in isolated as well as under combined magnetic hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy treatments. We found from the cell viability assay that under the hyperthermia treatment (1 MHz and 40 Oe magnetic field amplitude) the cell viability reduction was about 10%, regardless the magnetic nanoparticle content within the magnetic nanoparticle/chloroaluminum phthalocyanine formulation. However, cell viability reduction of about 50% and 60% were found while applying the photodynamic therapy treatment using the magnetic nanoparticle/chloroaluminum phthalocyanine formulation containing 0.15×1013 or 1.50×1013 magnetic particle/mL, respectively. Finally, an average reduction in cell viability of about 66% was found while combining the hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy treatments.

  15. Bioinspired methodology for preparing magnetic responsive chitosan beads to be integrated in a tubular bioreactor for biomedical applications.

    PubMed

    Song, Wenlong; Oliveira, Mariana B; Sher, Praveen; Gil, Sara; Nóbrega, J Miguel; Mano, João F

    2013-08-01

    Magnetic responsive chitosan beads were prepared using a methodology inspired by the rolling of water droplets over lotus leaves. Liquid precursors containing chitosan and magnetic microparticles were dispensed in the form of spherical droplets and crosslinked with genipin over synthetic superhydrophobic surfaces. Scanning electronic microscopy, histology and micro-computed tomography were employed to characterize the structure of the prepared composite beads and the inner distribution of the magnetic particles. Cellular metabolic activity tests showed that fibroblasts-like (L929 cell line) can adhere and proliferate on the prepared chitosan beads. We hypothesize that such spherical biomaterials could be integrated in a new concept of tubular bioreactor. The magnetic beads can be immobilized by an external magnetic field at specific positions and may be transported along the bioreactor by the drag of the culture medium flow. The system behavior was also studied through numerical modeling, which allowed to identify the relative importance of the main parameters, and to conclude that the distance between carrier beads plays a major role on their interaction with the culture medium and, consequently, on the overall system performance. In an up-scaled version of this bioreactor, the herein presented system may comprise different chambers in serial or parallel configurations. This constitutes a simple way of preparing magnetic responsive beads combined with a new design of bioreactor, which may find application in biomedicine and biotechnology, including in cell expansion for tissue engineering or for the production of therapeutic proteins to be used in cell therapies.

  16. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gotman, Irena, E-mail: gotman@technion.ac.il; Gutmanas, Elazar Y., E-mail: gutmanas@technion.ac.il; Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050

    Continuous research activities in the field of nanomedicine in the past decade have, to a great extent, been focused on nanoparticle technologies for cancer therapy. Gold and iron oxide nanoparticles (NP) are two of the most studied inorganic nanomaterials due to their unique optical and magnetic properties. Both types of NPs are emerging as promising systems for anti-tumor drug delivery and for nanoparticle-mediated thermal therapy of cancer. In thermal therapy, localized heating inside tumors or in proximity of tumor cells can be induced, for example, with Au NPs by radiofrequency ablation heating or conversion of photon energy (photothermal therapy) andmore » in iron oxide magnetic NPs by heat generation through relaxation in an alternating magnetic field (magnetic hyperthermia). Furthermore, the superparamagnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles have led to their use as potent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agents. Surface modification/coating can produce NPs with tailored and desired properties, such as enhanced blood circulation time, stability, biocompatibility and water solubility. To target nanoparticles to specific tumor cells, NPs should be conjugated with targeting moieties on the surface which bind to receptors or other molecular structures on the cell surface. The article presents several approaches to enhancing the specificity of Au and iron oxide nanoparticles for tumor tissue by appropriate surface modification/functionalization, as well as the effect of these treatments on the saturation magnetization value of iron oxide NPs. The use of other nanoparticles and nanostructures in cancer treatment is also briefly reviewed.« less

  17. Iron oxide and gold nanoparticles in cancer therapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gotman, Irena; Psakhie, Sergey G.; Lozhkomoev, Aleksandr S.; Gutmanas, Elazar Y.

    2016-08-01

    Continuous research activities in the field of nanomedicine in the past decade have, to a great extent, been focused on nanoparticle technologies for cancer therapy. Gold and iron oxide nanoparticles (NP) are two of the most studied inorganic nanomaterials due to their unique optical and magnetic properties. Both types of NPs are emerging as promising systems for anti-tumor drug delivery and for nanoparticle-mediated thermal therapy of cancer. In thermal therapy, localized heating inside tumors or in proximity of tumor cells can be induced, for example, with Au NPs by radiofrequency ablation heating or conversion of photon energy (photothermal therapy) and in iron oxide magnetic NPs by heat generation through relaxation in an alternating magnetic field (magnetic hyperthermia). Furthermore, the superparamagnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles have led to their use as potent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agents. Surface modification/coating can produce NPs with tailored and desired properties, such as enhanced blood circulation time, stability, biocompatibility and water solubility. To target nanoparticles to specific tumor cells, NPs should be conjugated with targeting moieties on the surface which bind to receptors or other molecular structures on the cell surface. The article presents several approaches to enhancing the specificity of Au and iron oxide nanoparticles for tumor tissue by appropriate surface modification/functionalization, as well as the effect of these treatments on the saturation magnetization value of iron oxide NPs. The use of other nanoparticles and nanostructures in cancer treatment is also briefly reviewed.

  18. Using ferromagnetic nanoparticles with low Curie temperature for magnetic resonance imaging-guided thermoablation.

    PubMed

    Herynek, Vít; Turnovcová, Karolína; Veverka, Pavel; Dědourková, Tereza; Žvátora, Pavel; Jendelová, Pavla; Gálisová, Andrea; Kosinová, Lucie; Jiráková, Klára; Syková, Eva

    2016-01-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) represent a tool for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided thermoablation of tumors using an external high-frequency (HF) magnetic field. To avoid local overheating, perovskite NPs with a lower Curie temperature (T c) were proposed for use in thermotherapy. However, deposited power decreases when approaching the Curie temperature and consequently may not be sufficient for effective ablation. The goal of the study was to test this hypothesis. Perovskite NPs (T c =66°C-74°C) were characterized and tested both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the cells suspended with NPs were exposed to a HF magnetic field together with control samples. In vivo, a NP suspension was injected into a induced tumor in rats. Distribution was checked by MRI and the rats were exposed to a HF field together with control animals. Apoptosis in the tissue was evaluated. In vitro, the high concentration of suspended NPs caused an increase of the temperature in the cell sample, leading to cell death. In vivo, MRI confirmed distribution of the NPs in the tumor. The temperature in the tumor with injected NPs did not increase substantially in comparison with animals without particles during HF exposure. We proved that the deposited power from the NPs is too small and that thermoregulation of the animal is sufficient to conduct the heat away. Histology did not detect substantially higher apoptosis in NP-treated animals after ablation. Magnetic particles with low T c can be tracked in vivo by MRI and heated by a HF field. The particles are capable of inducing cell apoptosis in suspensions in vitro at high concentrations only. However, their effect in the case of extracellular deposition in vivo is questionable due to low deposited power and active thermoregulation of the tissue.

  19. The Use of Gadolinium-Carbon Nanostructures to Magnetically Enhance Stem Cell Retention for Cellular Cardiomyoplasty

    PubMed Central

    Tran, Lesa A.; Hernández-Rivera, Mayra; Berlin, Ari N.; Zheng, Yi; Sampaio, Luiz; Bové, Christina; Cabreira-Hansen, Maria da Graça; Willerson, James T.; Perin, Emerson C.; Wilson, Lon J.

    2014-01-01

    In this work, the effectiveness of using Gadonanotubes (GNTs) with an external magnetic field to improve retention of transplanted adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) during cellular cardiomyoplasty was evaluated. As a high-performance T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cell tracking label, the GNTs are gadolinium-loaded carbon nanotube capsules that render MSCs magnetic when internalized. MSCs were internally labeled with either superparamagnetic GNTs or colloidal diamagnetic lutetium (Lu). In vitro cell rolling assays and ex vivo cardiac perfusion experiments qualitatively demonstrated increased magnetic-assisted retention of GNT-labeled MSCs. Subsequent in vivo epicardial cell injections were performed around a 1.3 T NdFeB ring magnet sutured onto the left ventricle of female juvenile pigs (n = 21). Cell dosage, magnet exposure time, and endpoints were varied to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the proposed therapy. Quantification of retained cells in collected tissues by elemental analysis (Gd or Lu) showed that the external magnet helped retain nearly three times more GNT-labeled MSCs than Lu-labeled cells. The sutured magnet was tolerated for up to 168 hours; however, an inflammatory response to the magnet was noted after 48 hours. These proof-of-concept studies support the feasibility and value of using GNTs as a magnetic nanoparticle facilitator to improve cell retention during cellular cardiomyoplasty. PMID:24148239

  20. Magnetic characterization of isolated candidate vertebrate magnetoreceptor cells

    PubMed Central

    Eder, Stephan H.K.; Cadiou, Hervé; Muhamad, Airina; McNaughton, Peter A.; Kirschvink, Joseph L.; Winklhofer, Michael

    2012-01-01

    Over the past 50 y, behavioral experiments have produced a large body of evidence for the existence of a magnetic sense in a wide range of animals. However, the underlying sensory physiology remains poorly understood due to the elusiveness of the magnetosensory structures. Here we present an effective method for isolating and characterizing potential magnetite-based magnetoreceptor cells. In essence, a rotating magnetic field is employed to visually identify, within a dissociated tissue preparation, cells that contain magnetic material by their rotational behavior. As a tissue of choice, we selected trout olfactory epithelium that has been previously suggested to host candidate magnetoreceptor cells. We were able to reproducibly detect magnetic cells and to determine their magnetic dipole moment. The obtained values (4 to 100 fAm2) greatly exceed previous estimates (0.5 fAm2). The magnetism of the cells is due to a μm-sized intracellular structure of iron-rich crystals, most likely single-domain magnetite. In confocal reflectance imaging, these produce bright reflective spots close to the cell membrane. The magnetic inclusions are found to be firmly coupled to the cell membrane, enabling a direct transduction of mechanical stress produced by magnetic torque acting on the cellular dipole in situ. Our results show that the magnetically identified cells clearly meet the physical requirements for a magnetoreceptor capable of rapidly detecting small changes in the external magnetic field. This would also explain interference of ac powerline magnetic fields with magnetoreception, as reported in cattle. PMID:22778440

  1. Magnetic field exposure stiffens regenerating plant protoplast cell walls.

    PubMed

    Haneda, Toshihiko; Fujimura, Yuu; Iino, Masaaki

    2006-02-01

    Single suspension-cultured plant cells (Catharanthus roseus) and their protoplasts were anchored to a glass plate and exposed to a magnetic field of 302 +/- 8 mT for several hours. Compression forces required to produce constant cell deformation were measured parallel to the magnetic field by means of a cantilever-type force sensor. Exposure of intact cells to the magnetic field did not result in any changes within experimental error, while exposure of regenerating protoplasts significantly increased the measured forces and stiffened regenerating protoplasts. The diameters of intact cells or regenerating protoplasts were not changed after exposure to the magnetic field. Measured forces for regenerating protoplasts with and without exposure to the magnetic field increased linearly with incubation time, with these forces being divided into components based on the elasticity of synthesized cell walls and cytoplasm. Cell wall synthesis was also measured using a cell wall-specific fluorescent dye, and no changes were noted after exposure to the magnetic field. Analysis suggested that exposure to the magnetic field roughly tripled the Young's modulus of the newly synthesized cell wall without any lag.

  2. Correlation of simulation/finite element analysis to the separation of intrinsically magnetic spores and red blood cells using a microfluidic magnetic deposition system.

    PubMed

    Sun, Jianxin; Moore, Lee; Xue, Wei; Kim, James; Zborowski, Maciej; Chalmers, Jeffrey J

    2018-05-01

    Magnetic separation of cells has been, and continues to be, widely used in a variety of applications, ranging from healthcare diagnostics to detection of food contamination. Typically, these technologies require cells labeled with antibody magnetic particle conjugate and a high magnetic energy gradient created in the flow containing the labeled cells (i.e., a column packed with magnetically inducible material), or dense packing of magnetic particles next to the flow cell. Such designs, while creating high magnetic energy gradients, are not amenable to easy, highly detailed, mathematic characterization. Our laboratories have been characterizing and developing analysis and separation technology that can be used on intrinsically magnetic cells or spores which are typically orders of magnitude weaker than typically immunomagnetically labeled cells. One such separation system is magnetic deposition microscopy (MDM) which not only separates cells, but deposits them in specific locations on slides for further microscopic analysis. In this study, the MDM system has been further characterized, using finite element and computational fluid mechanics software, and separation performance predicted, using a model which combines: 1) the distribution of the intrinsic magnetophoretic mobility of the cells (spores); 2) the fluid flow within the separation device; and 3) accurate maps of the values of the magnetic field (max 2.27 T), and magnetic energy gradient (max of 4.41 T 2 /mm) within the system. Guided by this model, experimental studies indicated that greater than 95% of the intrinsically magnetic Bacillus spores can be separated with the MDM system. Further, this model allows analysis of cell trajectories which can assist in the design of higher throughput systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. Activation Loop Dynamics Determine the Different Catalytic Efficiencies of B Cell- and T Cell-Specific Tec Kinases

    PubMed Central

    Joseph, Raji E.; Kleino, Iivari; Wales, Thomas E.; Xie, Qian; Fulton, D. Bruce; Engen, John R.; Berg, Leslie J.; Andreotti, Amy H.

    2014-01-01

    Itk and Btk are nonreceptor tyrosine kinases of the Tec family that signal downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR), respectively. Despite their high sequence similarity and related signaling roles, Btk is a substantially more active kinase than Itk. We showed that substitution of six of the 619 amino acid residues of Itk with those of Btk was sufficient to completely switch the activities of Itk and Btk. The substitutions responsible for the swap in activity are all localized to the activation segment of the kinase domain. Nuclear magnetic resonance and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry analyses revealed that Itk and Btk had distinct protein dynamics in this region, which could explain the observed differences in catalytic efficiency between these kinases. Introducing Itk with enhanced activity into T cells led to enhanced and prolonged TCR signaling compared to that in cells with wild-type Itk. These findings imply that evolutionary pressures have led to Tec kinases having distinct enzymatic properties depending on the cellular context. We suggest that the weaker catalytic activities observed for T cell–specific kinases is one mechanism to regulate cellular activation and prevent aberrant immune responses. PMID:23982207

  4. Analysis of DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Cytotoxicity after 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Isolated Human Lymphocytes

    PubMed Central

    Guttek, Karina; Hartig, Roland; Godenschweger, Frank; Roggenbuck, Dirk; Ricke, Jens; Reinhold, Dirk; Speck, Oliver

    2015-01-01

    The global use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is constantly growing and the field strengths increasing. Yet, only little data about harmful biological effects caused by MRI exposure are available and published research analyzing the impact of MRI on DNA integrity reported controversial results. This in vitro study aimed to investigate the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of 7 T ultra-high-field MRI on isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Hence, unstimulated mononuclear blood cells were exposed to 7 T static magnetic field alone or in combination with maximum permissible imaging gradients and radiofrequency pulses as well as to ionizing radiation during computed tomography and γ-ray exposure. DNA double-strand breaks were quantified by flow cytometry and automated microscopy analysis of immunofluorescence stained γH2AX. Cytotoxicity was studied by CellTiter-Blue viability assay and [3H]-thymidine proliferation assay. Exposure of unstimulated mononuclear blood cells to 7 T static magnetic field alone or combined with varying gradient magnetic fields and pulsed radiofrequency fields did not induce DNA double-strand breaks, whereas irradiation with X- and γ-rays led to a dose-dependent induction of γH2AX foci. The viability assay revealed a time- and dose-dependent decrease in metabolic activity only among samples exposed to γ-radiation. Further, there was no evidence for altered proliferation response after cells were exposed to 7 T MRI or low doses of ionizing radiation (≤ 0.2 Gy). These findings confirm the acceptance of MRI as a safe non-invasive diagnostic imaging tool, but whether MRI can induce other types of DNA lesions or DNA double-strand breaks during altered conditions still needs to be investigated. PMID:26176601

  5. Enhancing magnetic nanoparticle-based DNA transfection: Intracellular-active cassette features

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vernon, Matthew Martin

    Efficient plasmid DNA transfection of embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, neural cell lines and the majority of primary cell lines is a current challenge in gene therapy research. Magnetic nanoparticle-based DNA transfection is a gene vectoring technique that is promising because it is capable of outperforming most other non-viral transfection methods in terms of both transfection efficiency and cell viability. The nature of the DNA vector implemented depends on the target cell phenotype, where the particle surface chemistry and DNA binding/unbinding kinetics of the DNA carrier molecule play a critical role in the many steps required for successful gene transfection. Accordingly, Neuromag, an iron oxide/polymer nanoparticle optimized for transfection of neural phenotypes, outperforms many other nanoparticles and lipidbased DNA carriers. Up to now, improvements to nanomagnetic transfection techniques have focused mostly on particle functionalization and transfection parameter optimization (cell confluence, growth media, serum starvation, magnet oscillation parameters, etc.). None of these parameters are capable of assisting the nuclear translocation of delivered plasmid DNA once the particle-DNA complex is released from the endosome and dissociates in the cell's cytoplasm. In this study, incorporation of a DNA targeting sequence (DTS) feature in the transfecting plasmid DNA confers improved nuclear translocation, demonstrating significant improvement in nanomagnetic transfection efficiency in differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Other parameters, such as days in vitro, are also found to play a role and represent potential targets for further optimization.

  6. Clinically viable magnetic poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) particles for MRI-based cell tracking

    PubMed Central

    Granot, Dorit; Nkansah, Michael K.; Bennewitz, Margaret F.; Tang, Kevin S.; Markakis, Eleni A.; Shapiro, Erik M.

    2013-01-01

    Purpose To design, fabricate, characterize and in vivo assay clinically viable magnetic particles for MRI-based cell tracking. Methods PLGA encapsulated magnetic nano- and microparticles were fabricated. Multiple biologically relevant experiments were performed to assess cell viability, cellular performance and stem cell differentiation. In vivo MRI experiments were performed to separately test cell transplantation and cell migration paradigms, as well as in vivo biodegradation. Results Highly magnetic nano- (~100 nm) and microparticles (~1–2 μm) were fabricated. Magnetic cell labeling in culture occurred rapidly achieving 3–50 pg Fe/cell at 3 hrs for different particles types, and >100 pg Fe/cell after 10 hours, without the requirement of a transfection agent, and with no effect on cell viability. The capability of magnetically labeled mesenchymal or neural stem cells to differentiate down multiple lineages, or for magnetically labeled immune cells to release cytokines following stimulation, was uncompromised. An in vivo biodegradation study revealed that NPs degraded ~80% over the course of 12 weeks. MRI detected as few as 10 magnetically labeled cells, transplanted into the brains of rats. Also, these particles enabled the in vivo monitoring of endogenous neural progenitor cell migration in rat brains over 2 weeks. Conclusion The robust MRI properties and benign safety profile of these particles make them promising candidates for clinical translation for MRI-based cell tracking. PMID:23568825

  7. Evidence for a role of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 in endothelial cell mechanosignal transduction: is it a mechanoresponsive molecule?

    PubMed

    Osawa, Masaki; Masuda, Michitaka; Kusano, Ken-ichi; Fujiwara, Keigi

    2002-08-19

    Fluid shear stress (FSS) induces many forms of responses, including phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in endothelial cells (ECs). We have earlier reported rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in ECs exposed to FSS. Osmotic changes also induced similar PECAM-1 and ERK phosphorylation with nearly identical kinetics. Because both FSS and osmotic changes should mechanically perturb the cell membrane, they might activate the same mechanosignaling cascade. When PECAM-1 is tyrosine phosphorylated by FSS or osmotic changes, SHP-2 binds to it. Here we show that ERK phosphorylation by FSS or osmotic changes depends on PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, SHP-2 binding to phospho-PECAM-1, and SHP-2 phosphatase activity. In ECs under flow, detectable amounts of SHP-2 and Gab1 translocated from the cytoplasm to the EC junction. When magnetic beads coated with antibodies against the extracellular domain of PECAM-1 were attached to ECs and tugged by magnetic force for 10 min, PECAM-1 associated with the beads was tyrosine phosphorylated. ERK was also phosphorylated in these cells. Binding of the beads by itself or pulling on the cell surface using poly-l-coated beads did not induce phosphorylation of PECAM-1 and ERK. These results suggest that PECAM-1 is a mechanotransduction molecule.

  8. Magnetic responsive cell based strategies for diagnostic and therapeutics.

    PubMed

    Gonçalves, Ana I; Miranda, Margarida S; Rodrigues, Márcia T; Reis, Rui Luis; Gomes, Manuela

    2018-05-24

    The potential of magnetically assisted strategies within the remit of cell-based therapies is increasing and creates new opportunities in biomedical platforms and in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM). Among the magnetic elements approached to build magnetically responsive strategies, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) represent tunable and precise tools whose properties can be modelled for detection, diagnosis, targeting and therapy purposes. The most investigated clinical role of SPIONs is as contrast imaging agents for tracking and monitoring cells and tissues. Nevertheless, magnetic detection also includes biomarker mapping, cell labelling and cell/drug targeting to monitor cell events and anticipate the disruption of homeostatic conditions and progression of disease. Additionally, isolation and screening techniques of cell subsets in heterogeneous populations or of proteins of interest have been explored in a magnetic sorting context. More recently, SPIONs-based technologies have been applied to stimulate cell differentiation and mechanotransduction processes and to transport genetic or drug cargo to study biological mechanisms and contribute for improved therapies. Magnetically based strategies significantly contribute for magnetic tissue engineering (magTE), in which magnetically responsive actuators built from magnetic labelled cells or magnetic functionalized systems can be remotely controlled and spatially manipulated upon the actuation of an external magnetic field for delivery or target of TE solutions. SPIONs functionalities combined with the magnetic responsiveness in multifactorial magnetically assisted platforms can revolutionize diagnosis and therapeutics providing new diagnosis and theranostic tools, encouraging regenerative medicine approaches and holding potential for more effective therapies. This review will address the contribution of SPIONs based technologies as multifunctional tools in boosting magnetically assisted cell based strategies to explore diagnostics and tracking solutions on the detection and analysis of pathologies and to generate improved treatments and therapies, envisioning precise and customized answers for the management of numerous diseases. . © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

  9. Monocyte galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific C-type lectin receptor stimulant immunotherapy of an experimental glioma. Part II: combination with external radiation improves survival

    PubMed Central

    Kushchayev, Sergiy V; Sankar, Tejas; Eggink, Laura L; Kushchayeva, Yevgeniya S; Wiener, Philip C; Hoober, J Kenneth; Eschbacher, Jennifer; Liu, Ruolan; Shi, Fu-Dong; Abdelwahab, Mohammed G; Scheck, Adrienne C; Preul, Mark C

    2012-01-01

    Background A peptide mimetic of a ligand for the galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific C-type lectin receptors (GCLR) exhibited monocyte-stimulating activity, but did not extend survival when applied alone against a syngeneic murine malignant glioma. In this study, the combined effect of GCLRP with radiation was investigated. Methods C57BL/6 mice underwent stereotactic intracranial implantation of GL261 glioma cells. Animals were grouped based on randomized tumor size by magnetic resonance imaging on day seven. One group that received cranial radiation (4 Gy on days seven and nine) only were compared with animals treated with radiation and GCLRP (4 Gy on days seven and nine combined with subcutaneous injection of 1 nmol/g on alternative days beginning on day seven). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess tumor growth and correlated with survival rate. Blood and brain tissues were analyzed with regard to tumor and contralateral hemisphere using fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, histology, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results GCLRP activated peripheral monocytes and was associated with increased blood precursors of dendritic cells. Mean survival increased (P < 0.001) and tumor size was smaller (P < 0.02) in the GCLRP + radiation group compared to the radiation-only group. Accumulation of dendritic cells in both the tumoral hemisphere (P < 0.005) and contralateral tumor-free hemisphere (P < 0.01) was associated with treatment. Conclusion Specific populations of monocyte-derived brain cells develop critical relationships with malignant gliomas. The biological effect of GCLRP in combination with radiation may be more successful because of the damage incurred by tumor cells by radiation and the enhanced or preserved presentation of tumor cell antigens by GCLRP-activated immune cells. Monocyte-derived brain cells may be important targets for creating effective immunological modalities such as employing the receptor system described in this study. PMID:23049281

  10. Monocyte galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific C-type lectin receptor stimulant immunotherapy of an experimental glioma. Part II: combination with external radiation improves survival.

    PubMed

    Kushchayev, Sergiy V; Sankar, Tejas; Eggink, Laura L; Kushchayeva, Yevgeniya S; Wiener, Philip C; Hoober, J Kenneth; Eschbacher, Jennifer; Liu, Ruolan; Shi, Fu-Dong; Abdelwahab, Mohammed G; Scheck, Adrienne C; Preul, Mark C

    2012-01-01

    A peptide mimetic of a ligand for the galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific C-type lectin receptors (GCLR) exhibited monocyte-stimulating activity, but did not extend survival when applied alone against a syngeneic murine malignant glioma. In this study, the combined effect of GCLRP with radiation was investigated. C57BL/6 mice underwent stereotactic intracranial implantation of GL261 glioma cells. Animals were grouped based on randomized tumor size by magnetic resonance imaging on day seven. One group that received cranial radiation (4 Gy on days seven and nine) only were compared with animals treated with radiation and GCLRP (4 Gy on days seven and nine combined with subcutaneous injection of 1 nmol/g on alternative days beginning on day seven). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess tumor growth and correlated with survival rate. Blood and brain tissues were analyzed with regard to tumor and contralateral hemisphere using fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, histology, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. GCLRP activated peripheral monocytes and was associated with increased blood precursors of dendritic cells. Mean survival increased (P < 0.001) and tumor size was smaller (P < 0.02) in the GCLRP + radiation group compared to the radiation-only group. Accumulation of dendritic cells in both the tumoral hemisphere (P < 0.005) and contralateral tumor-free hemisphere (P < 0.01) was associated with treatment. Specific populations of monocyte-derived brain cells develop critical relationships with malignant gliomas. The biological effect of GCLRP in combination with radiation may be more successful because of the damage incurred by tumor cells by radiation and the enhanced or preserved presentation of tumor cell antigens by GCLRP-activated immune cells. Monocyte-derived brain cells may be important targets for creating effective immunological modalities such as employing the receptor system described in this study.

  11. Water-Based Suspensions of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Electrostatic or Steric Stabilization by Chitosan: Fabrication, Characterization and Biocompatibility

    PubMed Central

    Litvinova, Larisa S.; Safronov, Alexander P.; Schupletsova, Valeria V.; Tyukova, Irina S.; Khaziakhmatova, Olga G.; Slepchenko, Galina B.; Yurova, Kristina A.; Cherempey, Elena G.; Kulesh, Nikita A.; Andrade, Ricardo; Beketov, Igor V.; Khlusov, Igor A.

    2017-01-01

    Present day biomedical applications, including magnetic biosensing, demand better understanding of the interactions between living systems and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). In this work spherical MNPs of maghemite were obtained by a highly productive laser target evaporation technique. XRD analysis confirmed the inverse spinel structure of the MNPs (space group Fd-3m). The ensemble obeyed a lognormal size distribution with the median value 26.8 nm and dispersion 0.362. Stabilized water-based suspensions were fabricated using electrostatic or steric stabilization by the natural polymer chitosan. The encapsulation of the MNPs by chitosan makes them resistant to the unfavorable factors for colloidal stability typically present in physiological conditions such as pH and high ionic force. Controlled amounts of suspensions were used for in vitro experiments with human blood mononuclear leukocytes (HBMLs) in order to study their morphofunctional response. For sake of comparison the results obtained in the present study were analyzed together with our previous results of the study of similar suspensions with human mesenchymal stem cells. Suspensions with and without chitosan enhanced the secretion of cytokines by a 24-h culture of HBMLs compared to a control without MNPs. At a dose of 2.3, the MTD of chitosan promotes the stimulating effect of MNPs on cells. In the dose range of MNPs 10–1000 MTD, chitosan “inhibits” cellular secretory activity compared to MNPs without chitosan. Both suspensions did not caused cell death by necrosis, hence, the secretion of cytokines is due to the enhancement of the functional activity of HBMLs. Increased accumulation of MNP with chitosan in the cell fraction at 100 MTD for 24 h exposure, may be due to fixation of chitosan on the outer membrane of HBMLs. The discussed results can be used for an addressed design of cell delivery/removal incorporating multiple activities because of cell capability to avoid phagocytosis by immune cells. They are also promising for the field of biosensor development for the detection of magnetic labels. PMID:29137198

  12. Methods for Isolation and Purification of Murine Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells: A Systematic Review.

    PubMed

    Meyer, Jeremy; Gonelle-Gispert, Carmen; Morel, Philippe; Bühler, Léo

    2016-01-01

    To study the biological functions of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) and to identify their interplay with blood or liver cells, techniques allowing for the isolation and purification of LSEC have been developed over the last decades. The objective of the present review is to summarize and to compare the efficiency of existing methods for isolating murine LSEC. Toward this end, the MEDLINE database was searched for all original articles describing LSEC isolation from rat and mouse livers. Out of the 489 publications identified, 23 reported the main steps and outcomes of the procedure and were included in our review. Here, we report and analyse the technical details of the essential steps of the techniques used for LSEC isolation. The correlations between the prevalence of some steps and the efficiency of LSEC isolation were also identified. We found that centrifugal elutriation, selective adherence and, more recently, magnetic-activated cell sorting were used for LSEC purification. Centrifugal elutriation procured high yields of pure LSEC (for rats 30-141.9 million cells for 85-98% purities; for mice 9-9.25 million cells for >95% purities), but the use of this method remained limited due to its high technical requirements. Selective adherence showed inconsistent results in terms of cell yields and purities in rats (5-100 million cells for 73.7-95% purities). In contrast, magnetic-activated cell sorting allowed for the isolation of highly pure LSEC, but overall lower cell yields were reported (for rats 10.7 million cells with 97.6% purity; for mice 0.5-9 million cells with 90-98% purities). Notably, the controversies regarding the accuracy of several phenotypic markers for LSEC should be considered and their use for both magnetic sorting and characterization remain doubtful. It appears that more effort is needed to refine and standardize the procedure for LSEC isolation, with a focus on the identification of specific antigens. Such a procedure is required to identify the molecular mechanisms regulating the function of LSEC and to improve our understanding of their role in complex cellular processes in the liver.

  13. Methods for Isolation and Purification of Murine Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells: A Systematic Review

    PubMed Central

    Meyer, Jeremy; Gonelle-Gispert, Carmen; Morel, Philippe; Bühler, Léo

    2016-01-01

    To study the biological functions of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) and to identify their interplay with blood or liver cells, techniques allowing for the isolation and purification of LSEC have been developed over the last decades. The objective of the present review is to summarize and to compare the efficiency of existing methods for isolating murine LSEC. Toward this end, the MEDLINE database was searched for all original articles describing LSEC isolation from rat and mouse livers. Out of the 489 publications identified, 23 reported the main steps and outcomes of the procedure and were included in our review. Here, we report and analyse the technical details of the essential steps of the techniques used for LSEC isolation. The correlations between the prevalence of some steps and the efficiency of LSEC isolation were also identified. We found that centrifugal elutriation, selective adherence and, more recently, magnetic-activated cell sorting were used for LSEC purification. Centrifugal elutriation procured high yields of pure LSEC (for rats 30–141.9 million cells for 85–98% purities; for mice 9–9.25 million cells for >95% purities), but the use of this method remained limited due to its high technical requirements. Selective adherence showed inconsistent results in terms of cell yields and purities in rats (5–100 million cells for 73.7–95% purities). In contrast, magnetic-activated cell sorting allowed for the isolation of highly pure LSEC, but overall lower cell yields were reported (for rats 10.7 million cells with 97.6% purity; for mice 0.5–9 million cells with 90–98% purities). Notably, the controversies regarding the accuracy of several phenotypic markers for LSEC should be considered and their use for both magnetic sorting and characterization remain doubtful. It appears that more effort is needed to refine and standardize the procedure for LSEC isolation, with a focus on the identification of specific antigens. Such a procedure is required to identify the molecular mechanisms regulating the function of LSEC and to improve our understanding of their role in complex cellular processes in the liver. PMID:26992171

  14. Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Endothelial Activation in the Central Nervous System

    PubMed Central

    Gauberti, Maxime; Fournier, Antoine P.; Docagne, Fabian; Vivien, Denis; Martinez de Lizarrondo, Sara

    2018-01-01

    Endothelial cells of the central nervous system over-express surface proteins during neurological disorders, either as a cause, or a consequence, of the disease. Since the cerebral vasculature is easily accessible by large contrast-carrying particles, it constitutes a target of choice for molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this review, we highlight the most recent advances in molecular MRI of brain endothelial activation and focus on the development of micro-sized particles of iron oxide (MPIO) targeting adhesion molecules including intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), P-Selectin and E-Selectin. We also discuss the perspectives and challenges for the clinical application of this technology in neurovascular disorders (ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus), neuroinflammatory disorders (multiple sclerosis, brain infectious diseases, sepsis), neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, aging) and brain cancers (primitive neoplasms, metastasis). PMID:29507614

  15. Isolation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells for clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Hoffmann, Petra; Boeld, Tina J; Eder, Ruediger; Albrecht, Julia; Doser, Kristina; Piseshka, Biserka; Dada, Ashraf; Niemand, Claudia; Assenmacher, Mario; Orsó, Evelyn; Andreesen, Reinhard; Holler, Ernst; Edinger, Matthias

    2006-03-01

    The adoptive transfer of donor CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells has been shown to protect from lethal graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in murine disease models. Efficient isolation strategies that comply with good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines are prerequisites for the clinical application of human CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. Here we describe the isolation of CD4+CD25+ T cells with regulatory function from standard leukapheresis products by using a 2-step magnetic cell-separation protocol performed under GMP conditions. The generated cell products contained on average 49.5% CD4+CD25high T cells that phenotypically and functionally represented natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and showed a suppressive activity comparable to that of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell preparations purified by non-GMP-approved fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

  16. Battery system and method for sensing and balancing the charge state of battery cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Davies, Francis J. (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    A battery system utilizes a plurality of transformers interconnected with the battery cells. The transformers each have at least one transformer core operable for magnetization in at least a first magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a first direction and a second magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a second direction. The transformer cores retain the first magnetic state and the second magnetic state without current flow through said plurality of transformers. Circuitry is utilized for switching a selected transformer core between the first and second magnetic states to sense voltage and/or balance particular cells or particular banks of cells.

  17. Ferritin conjugates as specific magnetic labels. Implications for cell separation.

    PubMed Central

    Odette, L L; McCloskey, M A; Young, S H

    1984-01-01

    Concanavalin A coupled to the naturally occurring iron storage protein ferritin is used to label rat erythrocytes and increase the cells' magnetic susceptibility. Labeled cells are introduced into a chamber containing spherical iron particles and the chamber is placed in a uniform 5.2 kG (gauss) magnetic field. The trajectory of cells in the inhomogeneous magnetic field around the iron particles and the polar distributions of cells bound to the iron particles compare well with the theoretical predictions for high gradient magnetic systems. On the basis of these findings we suggest that ferritin conjugated ligands can be used for selective magnetic separation of labeled cells. Images FIGURE 2 PMID:6743752

  18. Impact of a static magnetic field on the electricity production of Shewanella-inoculated microbial fuel cells.

    PubMed

    Li, Wen-Wei; Sheng, Guo-Ping; Liu, Xian-Wei; Cai, Pei-Jie; Sun, Min; Xiao, Xiang; Wang, Yun-Kun; Tong, Zhong-Hua; Dong, Fang; Yu, Han-Qing

    2011-06-15

    The electricity production of Shewanella-inoculated microbial fuel cells (MFCs) under magnetic field (MF) exposure was investigated in different reactor systems. The persistency of the MF effect and the influences of MF intensity and direction on MFC performance were also studied. Application of a 100-mT static MF to the MFCs improved electricity production considerably, with an increase in the maximum voltage by 20-27% in both single- and two-chamber MFCs, while a more conspicuous improvement in the electricity generation was observed in a three-electrode cell. The MF effects were found to be immediate and reversible, and adverse effects seemed to occur when the MF was suddenly removed. The medium components analysis demonstrated that the application of MF led to an enhanced bioelectrochemical activity of Shewanella, and no significant promotion in mediator secretion was found. The improvement in the electricity production of MFCs under MF was mainly attributed to the enhanced bioelectrochemical activity, possibly through the oxidative stress mechanism. An accelerated cell growth under MF might also contribute to the enhanced substrate degradation and power generation. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Overendocytosis of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles increases apoptosis and triggers autophagic cell death in human osteosarcoma cell under a spinning magnetic field

    PubMed Central

    Du, Chonghua; Huang, Zhongming; Chen, Guangnan; Yan, Weiqi

    2017-01-01

    The toxicity of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) is still a vital topic of debate and the mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, overdose SPIONs could induce osteosarcoma cell death and the effects were exaggerated when combined with spinning magnetic field (SMF). In the combination group, mitochondrial transmembrane potential decrease more obviously and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was found to generate much higher in line with that of the apoptosis ratio. Meantime, amount of autophagy was induced. Inhibiting the autophagy generation by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) increase cell viability but decrease the caspase 3/7 and caspase 8 activities in combination groups, and inhibiting apoptosis took the same effect. In the end, the SPIONs effects on xenograft mice was examed by intratumoral injection. The result showed that the combination group could greatly decrease the tumor volume and prolong the lifespan of mice. In sum, the result indicated that overdose SPIONs induced ROS generation, and excessive ROS induced by combination of SPIONs and SMF contribute to autophagy formation, which play a apoptosis-promoting role that formed as a platform to recruits initiate the caspase activities. PMID:28031531

  20. Lactic dehydrogenase isozymes, 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and in vitro antimitochondrial tumor toxicity with gossypol and rhodamine-123.

    PubMed Central

    Benz, C; Hollander, C; Keniry, M; James, T L; Mitchell, M

    1987-01-01

    Three compounds that share specific antimitochondrial properties are gossypol, rhodamine-123, and lonidamine. We compare the antiproliferative activities of these drugs against six human cell lines derived from breast (T47-D), pancreas (MiaPaCa, RWP-2), prostate (DU-145), colon (HCT-8), and cervix (HeLa) carcinomas. Tumor cells enriched in cathodal LDH isozymes (LDH4 and LDH5) are significantly more sensitive to gossypol and rhodamine-123. When compared for ability to inhibit growth of human marrow in soft agar, 10 microM gossypol shows little effect on colony formation whereas 10 microM rhodamine-123 completely prevents stem cell growth, suggesting that gossypol may have the most favorable therapeutic index. Within 24 h of drug administration, there is a relative increase in intracellular inorganic phosphate pools and a marked decline in soluble high-energy phosphates in sensitive tumor cells, as measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These studies suggest that specific antimitochondrial agents might be selectively administered on the basis of tumor LDH isozyme content and noninvasively monitored for antiproliferative activity by 31P spectroscopy. Images PMID:3805280

  1. Magnetically Assisted Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for the Detection of Staphylococcus aureus Based on Aptamer Recognition.

    PubMed

    Wang, Junfeng; Wu, Xuezhong; Wang, Chongwen; Shao, Ningsheng; Dong, Peitao; Xiao, Rui; Wang, Shengqi

    2015-09-23

    A magnetically assisted surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor for single-cell detection of S. aureus on the basis of aptamer recognition is reported for the first time. The biosensor consists of two basic elements including a SERS substrate (Ag-coated magnetic nanoparticles, AgMNPs) and a novel SERS tag (AuNR-DTNB@Ag-DTNB core-shell plasmonic NPs or DTNB-labeled inside-and-outside plasmonic NPs, DioPNPs). Uniform, monodisperse, and superparamagnetic AgMNPs with favorable SERS activity and magnetic responsiveness are synthesized by using polymer polyethylenimine. AgMNPs use magnetic enrichment instead of repeated centrifugation to prevent sample sedimentation. DioPNPs are designed and synthesized as a novel SERS tag. The Raman signal of DioPNPs is 10 times stronger than that of the commonly used SERS tag AuNR-DTNB because of the double-layer DTNB and the LSPR position adjustment to match the given laser excitation wavelength. Consequently, a strong SERS enhancement is achieved. Under the optimized aptamer density and linker length, capture by aptamer-modified AgMNPs can achieve favorable bacteria arrest (up to 75%). With the conventional Raman spectroscopy, the limit of detection (LOD) is 10 cells/mL for S. aureus detection, and a good linear relationship is also observed between the SERS intensity at Raman peak 1331 cm(-1) and the logarithm of bacteria concentrations ranging from 10(1) to 10(5) cells/mL. With the help of the newly developed SERS mapping technique, single-cell detection of S. aureus is easily achieved.

  2. Highly efficient magnetic targeting of mesenchymal stem cells in spinal cord injury

    PubMed Central

    Vaněček, Václav; Zablotskii, Vitalii; Forostyak, Serhiy; Růřička, Jiří; Herynek, Vít; Babič, Michal; Jendelová, Pavla; Kubinová, Šárka; Dejneka, Alexandr; Syková, Eva

    2012-01-01

    The transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is currently under study as a therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury, and the number of transplanted cells that reach the lesioned tissue is one of the critical parameters. In this study, intrathecally transplanted cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were guided by a magnetic field and successfully targeted near the lesion site in the rat spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis revealed significant differences in cell numbers and cell distribution near the lesion site under the magnet in comparison to control groups. The cell distribution correlated well with the calculated distribution of magnetic forces exerted on the transplanted cells in the subarachnoid space and lesion site. The kinetics of the cells’ accumulation near the lesion site is described within the framework of a mathematical model that reveals those parameters critical for cell targeting and suggests ways to enhance the efficiency of magnetic cell delivery. In particular, we show that the targeting efficiency can be increased by using magnets that produce spatially modulated stray fields. Such magnetic systems with tunable geometric parameters may provide the additional level of control needed to enhance the efficiency of stem cell delivery in spinal cord injury. PMID:22888231

  3. Erythrocyte Enrichment in Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Cultures Based on Magnetic Susceptibility of the Hemoglobin

    PubMed Central

    Jin, Xiaoxia; Abbot, Stewart; Zhang, Xiaokui; Kang, Lin; Voskinarian-Berse, Vanessa; Zhao, Rui; Kameneva, Marina V.; Moore, Lee R.; Chalmers, Jeffrey J.; Zborowski, Maciej

    2012-01-01

    Using novel media formulations, it has been demonstrated that human placenta and umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells can be expanded and differentiated into erythroid cells with high efficiency. However, obtaining mature and functional erythrocytes from the immature cell cultures with high purity and in an efficient manner remains a significant challenge. A distinguishing feature of a reticulocyte and maturing erythrocyte is the increasing concentration of hemoglobin and decreasing cell volume that results in increased cell magnetophoretic mobility (MM) when exposed to high magnetic fields and gradients, under anoxic conditions. Taking advantage of these initial observations, we studied a noninvasive (label-free) magnetic separation and analysis process to enrich and identify cultured functional erythrocytes. In addition to the magnetic cell separation and cell motion analysis in the magnetic field, the cell cultures were characterized for cell sedimentation rate, cell volume distributions using differential interference microscopy, immunophenotyping (glycophorin A), hemoglobin concentration and shear-induced deformability (elongation index, EI, by ektacytometry) to test for mature erythrocyte attributes. A commercial, packed column high-gradient magnetic separator (HGMS) was used for magnetic separation. The magnetically enriched fraction comprised 80% of the maturing cells (predominantly reticulocytes) that showed near 70% overlap of EI with the reference cord blood-derived RBC and over 50% overlap with the adult donor RBCs. The results demonstrate feasibility of label-free magnetic enrichment of erythrocyte fraction of CD34+ progenitor-derived cultures based on the presence of paramagnetic hemoglobin in the maturing erythrocytes. PMID:22952572

  4. Magnetite-Based Magnetoreceptor Cells in the Olfactory Organ of Rainbow Trout and Zebrafish

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kirschvink, J. L.; Cadiou, H.; Dixson, A. D.; Eder, S.; Kobayashi, A.; McNaughton, P. A.; Muhamad, A. N.; Raub, T. D.; Walker, M. M.; Winklhofer, M.; Yuen, B. B.

    2011-12-01

    Many vertebrate and invertebrate animals have a geomagnetic sensory system, but the biophysics and anatomy of how magnetic stimuli are transduced to the nervous system is a challenging problem. Previous work in our laboratories identified single-domain magnetite chains in olfactory epithelium in cells proximal to the ros V nerve, which, in rainbow trout, responds to magnetic fields. Our objectives are to characterize these magnetite-containing cells and determine whether they form part of the mechanism of magnetic field transduction in teleost fishes, as a model for other Vertebrates. Using a combination of reflection mode confocal microscopy and a Prussian Blue technique modified to stain specifically for magnetite, our Auckland group estimated that both juvenile rainbow trout (ca. 7 cm total length) olfactory rosettes have ~200 magnetite-containing cells. The magnetite present in two types of cells within the olfactory epithelium appears to be arranged in intracellular chains. All of our groups (Munich, Auckland, Cambridge and Caltech) have obtained different types of structural evidence that magnetite chains closely associate with the plasma membrane in the cells, even in disaggregated tissues. In addition, our Cambridge group used Ca2+ imaging to demonstrate a clear response by individual magnetite-containing cells to a step change in the intensity of the external magnetic field and a slow change in Ca2+ activity when the external magnetic field was cancelled. In the teleost, zebrafish (Danio rerio), a small (~4 cm adult length in captivity) genetic and developmental biology model organism, our Caltech group detected ferromagnetic material throughout the body, but concentrated in the rostral trunk, using NRM and IRM scans of whole adults. Our analysis suggests greater than one million, 80-100 nm crystals, with Lowrie-Fuller curves strongly consistent with single-domain magnetite in 100-100,000 magnetocytes. Ferromagentic resonance (FMR) spectra show crystals with narrow particle size distribution concentrated in the trunk, similar to biogenic magnetofossils. In SQUID microscopy images numerous dipole spots are widely distributed throughout the flank, not correlated with skin pigments or the spinal cord and neural arches. We interpret this to indicate a lateral line location for trunk magnetite in zebrafish. In contrast to trout in which rock magnetic experiments and TEM suggest highly interacting bundled ropes of crystals, similar to those in the large magnetotactic bacterium, M. bavaricum, zebrafish magnetic aggregates apparently arrange in clumps or mixed chains and clumps. We report trout olfactory epithelium containing magnetite magnetoreceptors that transduce the external magnetic field, then encode and transmit it to the brain, while zebrafish contain magnetite in the lateral line region.

  5. Effect of low frequency magnetic fields on the growth of MNP-treated HT29 colon cancer cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Spyridopoulou, K.; Makridis, A.; Maniotis, N.; Karypidou, N.; Myrovali, E.; Samaras, T.; Angelakeris, M.; Chlichlia, K.; Kalogirou, O.

    2018-04-01

    Recent investigations have attempted to understand and exploit the impact of magnetic field-actuated internalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) on the proliferation rate of cancer cells. Due to the complexity of the parameters governing magnetic field-exposure though, individual studies to date have raised contradictory results. In our approach we performed a comparative analysis of key parameters related to the cell exposure of cancer cells to magnetic field-actuated MNPs, and to the magnetic field, in order to better understand the factors affecting cellular responses to magnetic field-stimulated MNPs. We used magnetite MNPs with a hydrodynamic diameter of 100 nm and studied the proliferation rate of MNPs-treated versus untreated HT29 human colon cancer cells, exposed to either static or alternating low frequency magnetic fields with varying intensity (40-200 mT), frequency (0-8 Hz) and field gradient. All three parameters, field intensity, frequency, and field gradient affected the growth rate of cells, with or without internalized MNPs, as compared to control MNPs-untreated and magnetic field-untreated cells. We observed that the growth inhibitory effects induced by static and rotating magnetic fields were enhanced by pre-treating the cells with MNPs, while the growth promoting effects observed in alternating field-treated cells were weakened by MNPs. Compared to static, rotating magnetic fields of the same intensity induced a similar extend of cell growth inhibition, while alternating fields of varying intensity (70 or 100 mT) and frequency (0, 4 or 8 Hz) induced cell proliferation in a frequency-dependent manner. These results, highlighting the diverse effects of mode, intensity, and frequency of the magnetic field on cell growth, indicate that consistent and reproducible results can be achieved by controlling the complexity of the exposure of biological samples to MNPs and external magnetic fields, through monitoring crucial experimental parameters. We demonstrate that further research focusing on the accurate manipulation of the aforementioned magnetic field exposure parameters could lead to the development of successful non-invasive therapeutic anticancer approaches.

  6. Modeling the efficiency of a magnetic needle for collecting magnetic cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Butler, Kimberly S.; Adolphi, Natalie L.; Bryant, H. C.; Lovato, Debbie M.; Larson, Richard S.; Flynn, Edward R.

    2014-07-01

    As new magnetic nanoparticle-based technologies are developed and new target cells are identified, there is a critical need to understand the features important for magnetic isolation of specific cells in fluids, an increasingly important tool in disease research and diagnosis. To investigate magnetic cell collection, cell-sized spherical microparticles, coated with superparamagnetic nanoparticles, were suspended in (1) glycerine-water solutions, chosen to approximate the range of viscosities of bone marrow, and (2) water in which 3, 5, 10 and 100% of the total suspended microspheres are coated with magnetic nanoparticles, to model collection of rare magnetic nanoparticle-coated cells from a mixture of cells in a fluid. The magnetic microspheres were collected on a magnetic needle, and we demonstrate that the collection efficiency versus time can be modeled using a simple, heuristically-derived function, with three physically-significant parameters. The function enables experimentally-obtained collection efficiencies to be scaled to extract the effective drag of the suspending medium. The results of this analysis demonstrate that the effective drag scales linearly with fluid viscosity, as expected. Surprisingly, increasing the number of non-magnetic microspheres in the suspending fluid results increases the collection of magnetic microspheres, corresponding to a decrease in the effective drag of the medium.

  7. Modeling the Efficiency of a Magnetic Needle for Collecting Magnetic Cells

    PubMed Central

    Butler, Kimberly S; Adolphi, Natalie L.; Bryant, H C; Lovato, Debbie M; Larson, Richard S; Flynn, Edward R

    2014-01-01

    As new magnetic nanoparticle-based technologies are developed and new target cells are identified, there is a critical need to understand the features important for magnetic isolation of specific cells in fluids, an increasingly important tool in disease research and diagnosis. To investigate magnetic cell collection, cell-sized spherical microparticles, coated with superparamagnetic nanoparticles, were suspended in 1) glycerine-water solutions, chosen to approximate the range of viscosities of bone marrow, and 2) water in which 3, 5, 10 and 100 % of the total suspended microspheres are coated with magnetic nanoparticles, to model collection of rare magnetic nanoparticle-coated cells from a mixture of cells in a fluid. The magnetic microspheres were collected on a magnetic needle, and we demonstrate that the collection efficiency vs. time can be modeled using a simple, heuristically-derived function, with three physically-significant parameters. The function enables experimentally-obtained collection efficiencies to be scaled to extract the effective drag of the suspending medium. The results of this analysis demonstrate that the effective drag scales linearly with fluid viscosity, as expected. Surprisingly, increasing the number of non-magnetic microspheres in the suspending fluid results increases the collection of magnetic microspheres, corresponding to a decrease in the effective drag of the medium. PMID:24874577

  8. The memory of the accreting plate boundary and the continuity of fracture zones

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Schouten, Hans; Klitgord, Kim D.

    1982-01-01

    A detailed aeromagnetic anomaly map of the Mesozoic seafloor-spreading lineations southwest of Bermuda reveals the dominant magnetic grain of the oceanic crust and the character of the accreting boundary at the time of crustal formation. The magnetic anomaly pattern is that of a series of elongate lobes perpendicular to the fracture zone (flowline) trends. The linear sets of magnetic anomaly peaks and troughs have narrow regions of reduced amplitude anomalies associated with the fracture zones. During the period of Mesozoic geomagnetic polarity reversals (when 1200 km of central North Atlantic seafloor formed), the Atlantic accreting boundary consisted of stationary, elongate, spreading center cells that maintained their independence even though sometimes only minor spatial offsets existed between cells. Normal oceanic crustal structure was formed in the spreading center cells, but structural anomalies and discontinuities characteristic of fracture zones were formed at their boundaries, which parallel flowlines of Mesozoic relative plate motion in the central North Atlantic. We suggest that the memory for a stationary pattern of independent spreading center cells resides in the young brittle lithosphere at the accreting boundary where the lithosphere is weakest; here, each spreading center cell independently goes through its cylce of stress buildup, stress release, and crustal accretion, after which its memory is refreshed. The temporal offset between the peaks of the accretionary activity that takes place within each cell may provide the mechanism for maintaining the independence of adjacent spreading center cells through times when no spatial offset between the cells exists.

  9. Design of a novel magnetic platform for cell manipulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lucarini, Gioia; Iacovacci, Veronica; Gouveia, Pedro J.; Ricotti, Leonardo; Menciassi, Arianna

    2018-02-01

    Cell manipulation tasks, especially in lab-on-a-chip applications for personalized medicine, could greatly benefit from mobile untethered microdevices able to wirelessly navigate in fluidic environments by means of magnetic fields. In this paper, the design, fabrication and testing of a magnetic platform enabling the controlled locomotion and immersion of microrobots placed at the air/liquid interface is proposed and exploited for cell manipulation. The proposed microrobot consists of a polymeric magnetic thin film that acts as cell transporter and a specific coating strategy, devised to enhance a safe cancer cell adhesion to the magnetic film. Experimental results demonstrated an overall cell viability and a fine control of magnetic microrobot locomotion. The proposed technologies are promising in view of future cell manipulation tasks for personalized medicine applications.

  10. In Vivo 31P-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Glyphosate Uptake, Vacuolar Sequestration, and Tonoplast Pump Activity in Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed1[W

    PubMed Central

    Ge, Xia; d’Avignon, D. André; Ackerman, Joseph J.H.; Sammons, R. Douglas

    2014-01-01

    Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) is considered a significant glyphosate-resistant (GR) weed in agriculture, spreading to 21 states in the United States and now found globally on five continents. This laboratory previously reported rapid vacuolar sequestration of glyphosate as the mechanism of resistance in GR horseweed. The observation of vacuole sequestration is consistent with the existence of a tonoplast-bound transporter. 31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance experiments performed in vivo with GR horseweed leaf tissue show that glyphosate entry into the plant cell (cytosolic compartment) is (1) first order in extracellular glyphosate concentration, independent of pH and dependent upon ATP; (2) competitively inhibited by alternative substrates (aminomethyl phosphonate [AMPA] and N-methyl glyphosate [NMG]), which themselves enter the plant cell; and (3) blocked by vanadate, a known inhibitor/blocker of ATP-dependent transporters. Vacuole sequestration of glyphosate is (1) first order in cytosolic glyphosate concentration and dependent upon ATP; (2) competitively inhibited by alternative substrates (AMPA and NMG), which themselves enter the plant vacuole; and (3) saturable. 31P-Nuclear magnetic resonance findings with GR horseweed are consistent with the active transport of glyphosate and alternative substrates (AMPA and NMG) across the plasma membrane and tonoplast in a manner characteristic of ATP-binding cassette transporters, similar to those that have been identified in mammalian cells. PMID:25185124

  11. Curcumin-loaded magnetic nanoparticles for breast cancer therapeutics and imaging applications.

    PubMed

    Yallapu, Murali M; Othman, Shadi F; Curtis, Evan T; Bauer, Nichole A; Chauhan, Neeraj; Kumar, Deepak; Jaggi, Meena; Chauhan, Subhash C

    2012-01-01

    The next generation magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with theranostic applications have attracted significant attention and will greatly improve nanomedicine in cancer therapeutics. Such novel MNP formulations must have ultra-low particle size, high inherent magnetic properties, effective imaging, drug targeting, and drug delivery properties. To achieve these characteristic properties, a curcumin-loaded MNP (MNP-CUR) formulation was developed. MNPs were prepared by chemical precipitation method and loaded with curcumin (CUR) using diffusion method. The physicochemical properties of MNP-CUR were characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and spectroscopy. The internalization of MNP-CUR was achieved after 6 hours incubation with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The anticancer potential was evaluated by a tetrazolium-based dye and colony formation assays. Further, to prove MNP-CUR results in superior therapeutic effects over CUR, the mitochondrial membrane potential integrity and reactive oxygen species generation were determined. Magnetic resonance imaging capability and magnetic targeting property were also evaluated. MNP-CUR exhibited individual particle grain size of ~9 nm and hydrodynamic average aggregative particle size of ~123 nm. Internalized MNP-CUR showed a preferential uptake in MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration-dependent manner and demonstrated accumulation throughout the cell, which indicates that particles are not attached on the cell surface but internalized through endocytosis. MNP-CUR displayed strong anticancer properties compared to free CUR. MNP-CUR also amplified loss of potential integrity and generation of reactive oxygen species upon treatment compared to free CUR. Furthermore, MNP-CUR exhibited superior magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and significantly increased the targeting capability of CUR. MNP-CUR exhibits potent anticancer activity along with imaging and magnetic targeting capabilities. This approach can be extended to preclinical and clinical use and may have importance in cancer treatment and cancer imaging in the future. Further, if these nanoparticles can functionalize with antibody/ligands, they will serve as novel platforms for multiple biomedical applications.

  12. Immunomicrospheres - Reagents for cell labeling and separation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rembaum, A.; Dreyer, W. J.

    1980-01-01

    Immunomicrospheres are specially designed microscopic particles that have antibodies or similar molecules chemically bound to their surfaces. The antibody-coated microspheres react in a highly specific way with target cells, viruses, or other antigenic agents. Immunomicrospheres may be synthesized so that they incorporate compounds that are highly radioactive, intensely fluorescent, magnetic, electron opaque, highly colored, or pharmacologically active. These various types of microspheres may be coated with pure, highly specific monoclonal antibodies obtained by the new hybridoma cell cloning techniques or with conventional antibody preparations. Some of the many present and potential applications for these new reagents are (1) new types of radioimmune or immunofluorescent assays, (2) improved fluorescence microscopy, (3) separation of cells on the basis of the fluorescent, electrophoretic, or magnetic properties of bound immunomicrospheres, (4) markers for use in several types of electron or standard light microscopy, and (5) delivery of lethal compouds to specific undesirable living cells. The combination of the various new types of synthetic microspheres and the newly available homogeneous antibodies offers new opportunities in research, diagnosis, and therapy.

  13. Static magnetic field effects on the sagittal suture in Rattus norvegicus.

    PubMed

    Camilleri, S; McDonald, F

    1993-03-01

    Twenty-day-old Wistar albino rats were exposed to static magnetic fields by placing a neodymium-iron-boron magnetic over their sagittal suture. Cellular activity was monitored by the uptake of tritiated thymidine in control, north, south, and unoperated animals at 1, 3, 5, and 10 days (n = 10 per group). A total of 160 animals were used for this part of the study, with the animals examined 1, 3, 5, and 10 days after surgery. Bone remodeling was examined by tetracycline fluorescence with 10 animals allocated to 5- and 10-day periods for north and south poles (n = 10 per group) and control experiments. This consisted of the placement of unmagnetized alloy, similar in size and shape to the magnets, and also included unoperated animals (n = 5 per group). A total of 60 animals were used for the tetracycline study and were examined at 5 and 10 days after surgery. While the tetracycline examination revealed very little change, the thymidine reflected a reduction in thymidine uptake subsequent to placement of the magnet, reaching a maximal effect at 3 days and returning to a normal value thereafter. This questions the potential of static magnetic fields affecting cell mitotic activity as previously reported.

  14. The Cytoskeleton and Force Response Mechanisms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Allen, Philip Goodwin

    2003-01-01

    The long term aim of this project was to define the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to the physical forces experienced at 1g and missing in microgravity. Identification and characterization of the elements of the cells force response mechanism could provide pathways and molecules to serve as targets for pharmacological intervention to mitigate the pathologic effects of microgravity. Mechanical forces experienced by the organism can be transmitted to cells through molecules that allow cells to bind to the extracellular matrix and through other types of molecules which bind cells to each other. These molecules are coupled in large complexes of proteins to structural elements such as the actin cytoskeleton that give the cell the ability to sense, resist and respond to force. Application of small forces to tissue culture cells causes local elevation of intracellular calcium through stretch activated ion channels, increased tyrosine phosphorylation and a restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton. Using collagen coated iron oxide beads and strong magnets, we can apply different levels of force to cells in culture. We have found that force application causes the cells to polymerize actin at the site of mechanical deformation and unexpectedly, to depolymerize actin across the rest of the cell. Observations of GFP- actin expressing cells demonstrate that actin accumulates at the site of deformation within the first five minutes of force application and is maintained for many tens of minutes after force is removed. Consistent with the reinforcement of the cytoskeletal structures underlying the integrin-bead interaction, force also alters the motion of bound magnetic beads. This effect is seen following the removal of the magnetic field, and is only partially ablated by actin disruption with cytochalsin B. While actin is polymerizing locally at the site of force application, force also stimulates a global reduction in actin filament content within the cells. We have examined the roles of several actin filament disassembly factors in the global reduction of cellular actin filaments. The calcium regulated actin filament severing protein gelsolin is not necessary for the increased actin turnover, as cells derived from gelsolin null and wildtype mice still show a reduction in total actin filament content. Instead, our work suggests that the actin binding protein cofilin may be important for these changes in actin dynamics. Cofilin binds to and enhances the disassembly of actin filaments. Using immunological methods, we observe transient changes in the phosphorylation state of cofilin upon force application that suggests that cofilin may mediate actin filament turnover. Early after force application, cofilin is transiently dephosphorylated, activating its actin disassembly activity. Subsequently, we find a hyper-phosphorylation of cofilin, rendering it inactive. This reduction in cofilin activity may explain the stability of the force induced actin structuttes. In testing this hypothesis, we aimed to generate cells that express the constituitively active kinase (LIM-kinase) that phosphorylates cofilin. lnidial attempts in the cell lines used for the our previous studies proved unsuccessful. While we prepare this work for pubication, we are continuing to study other cell lines and tissue sources to determine whether they show a reduction in F-actin content after force application.

  15. Atomic magnetic gradiometer for room temperature high sensitivity magnetic field detection

    DOEpatents

    Xu, Shoujun [Berkeley, CA; Lowery, Thomas L [Belmont, MA; Budker, Dmitry [El Cerrito, CA; Yashchuk, Valeriy V [Richmond, CA; Wemmer, David E [Berkeley, CA; Pines, Alexander [Berkeley, CA

    2009-08-11

    A laser-based atomic magnetometer (LBAM) apparatus measures magnetic fields, comprising: a plurality of polarization detector cells to detect magnetic fields; a laser source optically coupled to the polarization detector cells; and a signal detector that measures the laser source after being coupled to the polarization detector cells, which may be alkali cells. A single polarization cell may be used for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) by prepolarizing the nuclear spins of an analyte, encoding spectroscopic and/or spatial information, and detecting NMR signals from the analyte with a laser-based atomic magnetometer to form NMR spectra and/or magnetic resonance images (MRI). There is no need of a magnetic field or cryogenics in the detection step, as it is detected through the LBAM.

  16. Modifications in cell cycle kinetics and in expression of G1 phase-regulating proteins in human amniotic cells after exposure to electromagnetic fields and ionizing radiation.

    PubMed

    Lange, S; Viergutz, T; Simkó, M

    2004-10-01

    Low-frequency electromagnetic fields are suspected of being involved in carcinogenesis, particularly in processes that could be related to cancer promotion. Because development of cancer is associated with deregulated cell growth and we previously observed a magnetic field-induced decrease in DNA synthesis [Lange et al. (2002) Alterations in the cell cycle and in the protein level of cyclin D1p, 21CIP1, and p16INK4a after exposure to 50 HZ. MF in human cells. Radiat. Environ. Biophys.41, 131], this study aims to document the influence of 50 Hz, 1 mT magnetic fields (MF), with or without initial gamma-ionizing radiation (IR), on the following cell proliferation-relevant parameters in human amniotic fluid cells (AFC): cell cycle distribution, expression of the G1 phase-regulating proteins Cdk4, cyclin D1, p21CIP1 and p16INK4a, and Cdk4 activity. While IR induced a G1 delay and a dose-dependent G2 arrest, no discernible changes in cell cycle kinetics were observed due to MF exposure. However, a significant decrease in the protein expression of cyclin D1 and an increase in p21CIP1- and p16INK4a-expression could be detected after exposure to MF alone. IR-exposure caused an augmentation of p21CIP1- and p16INK4a- levels as well, but did not alter cyclin D1 expression. A slight diminution of Cdk4 activity was noticed after MF exposure only, indicating that Cdk4 appears not to act as a mediator of MF- or IR-induced changes in the cell cycle of AFC cells. Co-exposure to MF/IR affected neither cell cycle distribution nor protein expression or kinase activity additionally or synergistically, and therefore MF seems not to modify the mutagenic potency of IR.

  17. Modulation of channel activity and gadolinium block of MscL by static magnetic fields.

    PubMed

    Petrov, Evgeny; Martinac, Boris

    2007-02-01

    The magnetic field of the Earth has for long been known to influence the behaviour and orientation of a variety of living organisms. Experimental studies of the magnetic sense have, however, been impaired by the lack of a plausible cellular and/or molecular mechanism providing meaningful explanation for detection of magnetic fields by these organisms. Recently, mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels have been implied to play a role in magnetoreception. In this study we have investigated the effect of static magnetic fields (SMFs) of moderate intensity on the activity and gadolinium block of MscL, the bacterial MS channel of large conductance, which has served as a model channel to study the basic physical principles of mechanosensory transduction in living cells. In addition to showing that direct application of the magnetic field decreased the activity of the MscL channel, our study demonstrates for the first time that SMFs can reverse the effect of gadolinium, a well-known blocker of MS channels. The results of our study are consistent with a notion that (1) the effects of SMFs on the MscL channels may result from changes in physical properties of the lipid bilayer due to diamagnetic anisotropy of phospholipid molecules and consequently (2) cooperative superdiamagnetism of phospholipid molecules under influence of SMFs could cause displacement of Gd(3+) ions from the membrane bilayer and thus remove the MscL channel block.

  18. Hollow polycaprolactone composite fibers for controlled magnetic responsive antifungal drug release.

    PubMed

    Wang, Baolin; Zheng, Hongxia; Chang, Ming-Wei; Ahmad, Zeeshan; Li, Jing-Song

    2016-09-01

    Hollow magnetic fibers for trigger based drug release were synthesized using one-step co-axial electrospinning (COX-ES). This was achieved by encapsulating the antifungal active 'ketoconazole' (KCZ) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) in composite form within the core shell polymeric matrix material (polycaprolactone, PCL) during the COX-ES process. Dimethyl silicone oil was used as the inner core (liquid) of co-flowing solutions, which subsequently perfused out of the two-phase electrospun microstructures to form hollow fibers. Resulting drug-loaded magnetic hollow fibers were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier Transform Infra-Red. The tensile strength and magnetization properties of composite fibers were also assessed. KCZ drug concentration in electrospinning solutions strongly influenced resulting fiber morphology, drug loading efficiency and release. Expedited drug release during a slow-sustained phase was demonstrated through the application of an auxiliary magnetic field. Variations in tensile strength (∼1.3-6.3MPa) were due to composite fiber components compromising polymer chain integrity. In-vitro cell studies (using human cervical carcinoma cell lines) demonstrated fiber biocompatibility. The present study demonstrates the potential application of magnetic hollow fibers for controlled treatment of fungal infections and antimicrobial indications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Functionalized graphene oxide-based thermosensitive hydrogel for magnetic hyperthermia therapy on tumors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Xiali; Zhang, Huijuan; Huang, Heqing; Zhang, Yingjie; Hou, Lin; Zhang, Zhenzhong

    2015-09-01

    A novel locally injectable, biodegradable, and thermo-sensitive hydrogel made from chitosan and β-glycerophosphate salt was prepared. It incorporated polyethylenimine (PEI)-modified super-paramagnetic graphene oxide (GO/IONP/PEI) as a form of minimally invasive treatment of cancer lesions by magnetically induced local hyperthermia. Doxorubicin (DOX) was mixed into the hydrogel which was pre-loaded on GO/IONP/PEI to create a drug delivery system DOX-GO/IONP/PEI-gel. In addition to the evaluation of in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities, the physicochemical properties, magnetic properties and DOX release profile of the DOX-GO/IONP/PEI-gel were determined. The aqueous solution of the hydrogel showed a sol-gel transition behavior depending on temperature changes. Magnetization loops indicated the super-paramagnetic properties of GO/IONP/PEI. Compared with free DOX, DOX-GO/IONP/PEI could efficiently pass through cell membranes, leading to more apoptosis and demonstrating higher antitumor efficacy on MCF-7 cells in vitro. Furthermore, DOX-GO/IONP/PEI-gel intratumorally injected (i.t.) showed high antitumor efficacy on tumor-bearing mice in vivo, with no obvious toxicity. The antitumor efficacy was higher when combined with an alternating magnetic field (AMF), showing that DOX-GO/IONP/PEI-gel under AMF has great potential for cancer magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

  20. The effect of novel magnetic nanoparticles on vascular endothelial cell function in vitro and in vivo.

    PubMed

    Su, Le; Han, Lei; Ge, Fei; Zhang, Shang Li; Zhang, Yun; Zhao, Bao Xiang; Zhao, Jing; Miao, Jun Ying

    2012-10-15

    Manufactured nanoparticles are currently used for many fields. However, their potential toxicity provides a growing concern for human health. In our previous study, we prepared novel magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which could effectively remove heavy metal ions and cationic dyes from aqueous solution. To understand its biocompatibility, we investigated the effect of the nanoparticles on the function of vascular endothelial cells. The results showed that the nanoparticles were taken up by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and could inhibit cell proliferation at 400 μg/ml. An increase in nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity were induced, which companied with the decrease in caveolin-1 level. The endothelium in the aortic root was damaged and the NO level in serum was elevated after treated mice with 20mg/kg nanoparticles for 3 days, but it was integrated after treated with 5mg/kg nanoparticles. Meanwhile, an increase in eNOS activity and decrease in caveolin-1 level were induced in the endothelium. The data suggested that the low concentration of nanoparticles could not affect the function and viability of VECs. The high concentration of nanoparticles could inhibit VEC proliferation through elevation of the eNOS activity and NO production and thus present toxicity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Bio-active engineered 50 nm silica nanoparticles with bone anabolic activity: therapeutic index, effective concentration, and cytotoxicity profile in vitro.

    PubMed

    Ha, Shin-Woo; Sikorski, James A; Weitzmann, M Neale; Beck, George R

    2014-04-01

    Silica-based nanomaterials are generally considered to be excellent candidates for therapeutic applications particularly related to skeletal metabolism however the current data surrounding the safety of silica based nanomaterials is conflicting. This may be due to differences in size, shape, incorporation of composite materials, surface properties, as well as the presence of contaminants following synthesis. In this study we performed extensive in vitro safety profiling of ∼ 50 nm spherical silica nanoparticles with OH-terminated or Polyethylene Glycol decorated surface, with and without a magnetic core, and synthesized by the Stöber method. Nineteen different cell lines representing all major organ types were used to investigate an in vitro lethal concentration (LC) and results revealed little toxicity in any cell type analyzed. To calculate an in vitro therapeutic index we quantified the effective concentration at 50% response (EC50) for nanoparticle-stimulated mineral deposition activity using primary bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The EC50 for BMSCs was not substantially altered by surface or magnetic core. The calculated Inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50) for pre-osteoclasts was similar to the osteoblastic cells. These results demonstrate the pharmacological potential of certain silica-based nanomaterial formulations for use in treating bone diseases based on a favorable in vitro therapeutic index. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Shorter Life Span of Microorganisms and Plants as a Consequence of Shielded Magnetic Environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dobrota, C.; Piso, I. M.; Bathory, D.

    The geomagnetic field is an essential environmental factor for life and health on this planet. In order to survey how magnetic fields affect the life span and the nitrogenase (an iron-sulphur enzyme) activity of Azotobacter chroococcum as well as the life span, the main organic synthesis and the water balance of plants (22 species), the biological tests were incubated under shielded magnetic field and also in normal geo-magnetic environment. The shielding level was about 10-6 of the terrestrial magnetic field.Life cycles of all organisms require the co-ordinated control of a complex set of interlocked physiological processes and metabolic pathways. Such processes are likely to be regulated by a large number of genes. Our researches suggest that the main point in biological structures, which seems to be affected by the low magnetic environment, is the water molecule. Magnetic field induces a molecular alignment. Under shielded conditions, unstructured water molecules with fewer hydrogen bonds, which are producing a more reactive environment, are occurring. As compared to control, the life span of both microorganisms and plants was shorter in shielded environment. A higher nitrogenase affinity for the substrate was recorded in normal geo-magnetic field compared to low magnetic field. The synthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and enzymes was modified under experimental conditions. The stomatal conductance was higher between 158 and 300% in shielded environment indicating an important water loss from the plant cells.Our results support the idea that the shielded magnetic environment induces different reactions depending on the time of exposure and on the main metabolic pathways of the cells.

  3. Multifunctional picoliter droplet manipulation platform and its application in single cell analysis.

    PubMed

    Gu, Shu-Qing; Zhang, Yun-Xia; Zhu, Ying; Du, Wen-Bin; Yao, Bo; Fang, Qun

    2011-10-01

    We developed an automated and multifunctional microfluidic platform based on DropLab to perform flexible generation and complex manipulations of picoliter-scale droplets. Multiple manipulations including precise droplet generation, sequential reagent merging, and multistep solid-phase extraction for picoliter-scale droplets could be achieved in the present platform. The system precision in generating picoliter-scale droplets was significantly improved by minimizing the thermo-induced fluctuation of flow rate. A novel droplet fusion technique based on the difference of droplet interfacial tensions was developed without the need of special microchannel networks or external devices. It enabled sequential addition of reagents to droplets on demand for multistep reactions. We also developed an effective picoliter-scale droplet splitting technique with magnetic actuation. The difficulty in phase separation of magnetic beads from picoliter-scale droplets due to the high interfacial tension was overcome using ferromagnetic particles to carry the magnetic beads to pass through the phase interface. With this technique, multistep solid-phase extraction was achieved among picoliter-scale droplets. The present platform had the ability to perform complex multistep manipulations to picoliter-scale droplets, which is particularly required for single cell analysis. Its utility and potentials in single cell analysis were preliminarily demonstrated in achieving high-efficiency single-cell encapsulation, enzyme activity assay at the single cell level, and especially, single cell DNA purification based on solid-phase extraction.

  4. Three-dimensional Tissue Culture Based on Magnetic Cell Levitation

    PubMed Central

    Souza, Glauco R.; Molina, Jennifer R.; Raphael, Robert M.; Ozawa, Michael G.; Stark, Daniel J.; Levin, Carly S.; Bronk, Lawrence F.; Ananta, Jeyarama S.; Mandelin, Jami; Georgescu, Maria-Magdalena; Bankson, James A.; Gelovani, Juri G.

    2015-01-01

    Cell culture is an essential tool for drug discovery, tissue engineering, and stem cell research. Conventional tissue culture produces two-dimensional (2D) cell growth with gene expression, signaling, and morphology that can differ from those in vivo and thus compromise clinical relevancy1–5. Here we report a three-dimensional (3D) culture of cells based on magnetic levitation in the presence of hydrogels containing gold and magnetic iron oxide (MIO) nanoparticles plus filamentous bacteriophage. This methodology allows for control of cell mass geometry and guided, multicellular clustering of different cell types in co-culture through spatial variance of the magnetic field. Moreover, magnetic levitation of human glioblastoma cells demonstrates similar protein expression profiles to those observed in human tumor xenografts. Taken together, these results suggest levitated 3D culture with magnetized phage-based hydrogels more closely recapitulates in vivo protein expression and allows for long-term multi-cellular studies. PMID:20228788

  5. Magnetic manipulation of particles and cells in ferrofluid flow through straight microchannels using two magnets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zeng, Jian

    Microfluidic devices have been increasingly used in the past two decades for particle and cell manipulations in many chemical and biomedical applications. A variety of force fields have been demonstrated to control particle and cell transport in these devices including electric, magnetic, acoustic, and optical forces etc. Among these particle handling techniques, the magnetic approach provides clear advantages over others such as low cost, noninvasive, and free of fluid heating issues. However, the current knowledge of magnetic control of particle transport is still very limited, especially lacking is the handling of diamagnetic particle. This thesis is focused on the magnetic manipulation of diamagnetic particles and cells in ferrofluid flow through the use of a pair of permanent magnets. By varying the configuration of the two magnets, diverse operations of particles and cells is implemented in a straight microchannel that can potentially be integrated into lab-on-a-chip devices for various applications. First, an approach for embedding two, symmetrically positioned, repulsive permanent magnets about a straight rectangular microchannel in a PDMS-based microfluidic device is developed for particle focusing. Focusing particles and cells into a tight stream is often required in order for continuous detection, counting, and sorting. The closest distance between the magnets is limited only by the size of the magnets involved in the fabrication process. The device is used to implement and investigate the three-dimensional magnetic focusing of polystyrene particles in ferrofluid microflow with both top-view and side-view visualizations. The effects of flow speed and particle size on the particle focusing effectiveness are studied. This device is also applied to magnetically focus yeast cells in ferrofluid, which proves to be biocompatible as verified by cell viability test. In addition, an analytical model is developed and found to be able to predict the experimentally observed particle and cell focusing behaviors with reasonable agreement. Next, a simple magnetic technique to concentrate polystyrene particles and live yeast cells in ferrofluid flow through a straight rectangular microchannel is developed. Concentrating particles to a detectable level is often necessary in many applications. The magnetic field gradient is created by two attracting permanent magnets that are placed on the top and bottom of the planar microfluidic device and held in position by their natural attractive force. The effects of flow speed and magnet-magnet distance are studied and the device was applied for use for concentrating live yeast cells. The magnet-magnet distance is mainly controlled by the thickness of the device substrate and can be made small, providing a locally strengthened magnetic field as well as allowing for the use of dilute ferrofluid in the developed magnetic concentration technique. This advantage not only enables a magnetic/fluorescent label-free handling of diamagnetic particles but also renders such handling biocompatible. Lastly, a device is presented for a size-based continuous separation of particles through a straight rectangular microchannel. Particle separation is critical in many applications involving the sorting of cells. A first magnet is used for focusing the particle mixture into a single stream due to its relative close positioning with respect to the channel, thus creating a greater magnetic field magnitude. Then, a following magnet is used to displace the aligned particles to dissimilar flow paths by placing it farther away compared the first magnet, which provides a weaker magnetic field, therefore more sensitive towards the deflection of particles based on their size. The effects of both flow speed and separator magnet position are examined. The experimental data are found to fit well with analytical model predictions. This is followed by a study replacing the particles which are closely sized to that of live yeast cells and observe the separation of the cells from larger particles. Afterwards, a test for biocompatibility is confirmed.

  6. Magnetic field activated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles for stimuli-responsive drug release.

    PubMed

    Kong, Seong Deok; Sartor, Marta; Hu, Che-Ming Jack; Zhang, Weizhou; Zhang, Liangfang; Jin, Sungho

    2013-03-01

    Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles (SRNPs) offer the potential of enhancing the therapeutic efficacy and minimizing the side-effects of chemotherapeutics by controllably releasing the encapsulated drug at the target site. Currently controlled drug release through external activation remains a major challenge during the delivery of therapeutic agents. Here we report a lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle system containing magnetic beads for stimuli-responsive drug release using a remote radio frequency (RF) magnetic field. These hybrid nanoparticles show long-term stability in terms of particle size and polydispersity index in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Controllable loading of camptothecin (CPT) and Fe(3)O(4) in the hybrid nanoparticles was demonstrated. RF-controlled drug release from these nanoparticles was observed. In addition, cellular uptake of the SRNPs into MT2 mouse breast cancer cells was examined. Using CPT as a model anticancer drug the nanoparticles showed a significant reduction in MT2 mouse breast cancer cell growth in vitro in the presence of a remote RF field. The ease of preparation, stability, and controllable drug release are the strengths of the platform and provide the opportunity to improve cancer chemotherapy. Copyright © 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Preparation of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles coated with gallic acid for drug delivery

    PubMed Central

    Dorniani, Dena; Hussein, Mohd Zobir Bin; Kura, Aminu Umar; Fakurazi, Sharida; Shaari, Abdul Halim; Ahmad, Zalinah

    2012-01-01

    Background and methods Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared using a sonochemical method under atmospheric conditions at a Fe2+ to Fe3+ molar ratio of 1:2. The iron oxide nanoparticles were subsequently coated with chitosan and gallic acid to produce a core-shell structure. Results X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the magnetic nanoparticles were pure Fe3O4 with a cubic inverse spinel structure. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were of spherical shape with a mean diameter of 11 nm, compared with 13 nm for the iron oxide-chitosan-gallic acid (FCG) nanocarriers. Conclusion The magnetic nanocarrier enhanced the thermal stability of the drug, gallic acid. Release of the active drug from the FCG nanocarrier was found to occur in a controlled manner. The gallic acid and FCG nanoparticles were not toxic in a normal human fibroblast (3T3) line, and anticancer activity was higher in HT29 than MCF7 cell lines. PMID:23166439

  8. Drug releasing nanoplatforms activated by alternating magnetic fields.

    PubMed

    Mertz, Damien; Sandre, Olivier; Bégin-Colin, Sylvie

    2017-06-01

    The use of an alternating magnetic field (AMF) to generate non-invasively and spatially a localized heating from a magnetic nano-mediator has become very popular these last years to develop magnetic hyperthermia (MH) as a promising therapeutic modality already used in the clinics. AMF has become highly attractive this last decade over others radiations, as AMF allows a deeper penetration in the body and a less harmful ionizing effect. In addition to pure MH which induces tumor cell death through local T elevation, this AMF-generated magneto-thermal effect can also be exploited as a relevant external stimulus to trigger a drug release from drug-loaded magnetic nanocarriers, temporally and spatially. This review article is focused especially on this concept of AMF induced drug release, possibly combined with MH. The design of such magnetically responsive drug delivery nanoplatforms requires two key and complementary components: a magnetic mediator which collects and turns the magnetic energy into local heat, and a thermoresponsive carrier ensuring thermo-induced drug release, as a consequence of magnetic stimulus. A wide panel of magnetic nanomaterials/chemistries and processes are currently developed to achieve such nanoplatforms. This review article presents a broad overview about the fundamental concepts of drug releasing nanoplatforms activated by AMF, their formulations, and their efficiency in vitro and in vivo. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Recent Advances in Bionanomaterials" Guest Editors: Dr. Marie-Louise Saboungi and Dr. Samuel D. Bader. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Influence of Medium Viscosity and Intracellular Environment on the Magnetization of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles in Silk Fibroin Solutions and 3T3 Mouse Fibroblast Cell Cultures.

    PubMed

    Urbano Bojorge, Ana Lorena; Casanova Carvajal, Oscar Ernesto; Félix González, Nazario; García, Laura Fernandez; Madurga, Rodrigo; Sanchez, Santiago; Aznar, Elena; Ramos, Milagros; Serrano Olmedo, José Javier

    2018-06-27

    Biomedical applications based on the magnetic properties of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles may be altered by the mechanical attachment or cellular uptake of these nanoparticles. When nanoparticles interact with living cells, nanoparticles are captured and internalized into intracellular compartments. Consequently, the magnetic behavior of the nanoparticles is modified. In this paper, we investigated the change in the magnetic response of 14 nm magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) in solutions, both as a stable liquid suspension (one of them mimicking the cellular cytoplasm) and when associated with cells. The field-dependent magnetization curves from inert fluids and cell cultures were determined by using a MicroMagTM 2900 alternating gradient magnetometer (AGM system). The equipment was adapted to measure liquid samples because it was originally designed only for solids. In order to achieve this goal, custom sample holders were manufactured. Likewise, the nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles for the inert fluid were also measured by fast field cycling NMR relaxometry (FFCNMR). The results show that superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles magnetization in inert fluids was affected by the carrier liquid viscosity and the concentration. In cell cultures, the mechanical attachment or confinement of superparamagnetic iron oxide naoparticles inside cells accounted for the change in the dynamic magnetic behavior of the nanoparticles. Nevertheless, the magnetization value in cell cultures was slightly lower than that of the fluid simulating the viscosity of cytoplasm, suggesting that magnetization loss was not only due to medium viscosity but also to a reduction in the mechanical degrees of freedom of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles rotation and translation inside cells. The findings presented here provide information on the loss of magnetic properties when nanoparticles are suspended in viscous fluids or internalized in cells. This information could be exploited to improve biomedical applications based on magnetic properties as magnetic hyperthermia, contrast agents and drug delivery. . © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

  10. New materials for old problems: What can nanomaterials do for biology and neuroscience?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Srivatsan, Malathi; Badanavalu, Mahadevappa P.; Yancey, Justin; Xie, Jining; Chen, Linfeng; Hankins, Philip T.; Yoon, Hargsoon; Varadan, Vijay K.

    2009-03-01

    The emerging field of nanotechnology offers the development of new materials and methods for crucial neuroscience applications namely (a) promoting survival and growth of the neurons, and (b) monitoring physiological signals generated in the nervous system such as excitation, synaptic transmission, release of neurotransmitter molecules and cell-to-cell communication. Such bio-devices will have several novel applications in basic science, laboratory analysis and therapeutic treatments. Our goals in this field of research include (a) development of new biocompatible substrates to guide and promote neuronal growth along specific pathways; (b) designing a neuron-friendly, bio-molecule delivery system for neuroprotection; (c) monitoring of electrical activity from neuron and also from neuronal networks; (d) determining the diffusion and intracellular localization of nanomaterial interacting with neurons at high resolution; and (e) detection of release of neurotransmitter molecules by means of newly designed nanosensors. Here we describe the fabrication and use of magnetic nanotubes and nanowire electrode arrays in studies using a cell culture model of neuronally differentiating rat pheochromocytoma (PC 12) cells. The magnetic nanotubes were fabricated by a template method yielding hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanotubes. These nanotubes were coupled with nerve growth factor (NGF). Vertically aligned nanowires were fabricated on glass substrates using the lithography-assisted template bonding (LATB) method. Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were cultured on these nanotubes and polylysine coated nanowire electrodes. Our results showed that magnetic nanotube bound NGF was available to PC12 cells as they showed significant differentiation into neurons. PC12 cells growing on nanowires in the presence of NGF differentiated into neurons capable of synthesis and release of dopamine upon stimulation. The neurons grew healthy neurites appearing to form synapses with other neurons in the dish. These results show that the magnetic nanotubes were capable of delivering neurotrophic molecules and the nanowire electrodes are neuron-friendly, promote cell to cell communication and can be used as bio-sensors in the nervous system.

  11. Cellular manipulation and patterning using ferromagnetic nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hultgren, Anne

    Ferromagnetic nanowires are demonstrated as an effective tool to apply forces to living cells. Both magnetic cell separations and the magnetic patterning of cells on a substrate will be accomplished through the use of cell-nanowire interactions as well as nanowire-magnetic field interactions. When introduced into cultures of NIH-3T3 cells, the nanowires are internalized by cells via the integrin-mediated adhesion pathway without inflicting any toxic effects on the cell cycle over the course of several days. In addition, the length of the nanowires was found to have an effect on the cell-nanowire interactions when the cells were dissociated from the tissue culture dish. To compare the effectiveness of the nanowires as a means of manipulating cells to the current technology which is based on superparamagnetic beads, magnetic cell separations were performed with electrodeposited Ni nanowires 350 nm in diameter and 5--35 mum long in field gradients of 80 T/m. Single-pass separations of NIH-3T3 cells bound to nanowires achieve up to 81% purity with 85% yield, a dramatic improvement over the 55% purity and 20% yield obtained with the beads. The yield for the separations were found to be dependent on the length of the nanowires, and was maximized when the length of the nanowires equaled the diameter of the cells. This dependence was exploited to perform a size-selective magnetic separation. Substrates containing arrays of micro-magnets, fabricated using photolithography, were placed in cell cultures. These micro-magnet arrays create regions of locally strong magnetic field gradients to trap nanowires in specific locations on the substrate. These substrates were used in conjunction with fluid flow and a weak, externally applied magnetic field to create and control patterns of cells bound to nanowires. Controlled isolation of heterogeneous pairs and groups of cells will enable the study of the biochemistry of cell-cell contacts.

  12. Isolation and Quantitative Immunocytochemical Characterization of Primary Myogenic Cells and Fibroblasts from Human Skeletal Muscle

    PubMed Central

    Agley, Chibeza C.; Rowlerson, Anthea M.; Velloso, Cristiana P.; Lazarus, Norman L.; Harridge, Stephen D. R.

    2015-01-01

    The repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle requires the action of satellite cells, which are the resident muscle stem cells. These can be isolated from human muscle biopsy samples using enzymatic digestion and their myogenic properties studied in culture. Quantitatively, the two main adherent cell types obtained from enzymatic digestion are: (i) the satellite cells (termed myogenic cells or muscle precursor cells), identified initially as CD56+ and later as CD56+/desmin+ cells and (ii) muscle-derived fibroblasts, identified as CD56– and TE-7+. Fibroblasts proliferate very efficiently in culture and in mixed cell populations these cells may overrun myogenic cells to dominate the culture. The isolation and purification of different cell types from human muscle is thus an important methodological consideration when trying to investigate the innate behavior of either cell type in culture. Here we describe a system of sorting based on the gentle enzymatic digestion of cells using collagenase and dispase followed by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) which gives both a high purity (>95% myogenic cells) and good yield (~2.8 x 106 ± 8.87 x 105 cells/g tissue after 7 days in vitro) for experiments in culture. This approach is based on incubating the mixed muscle-derived cell population with magnetic microbeads beads conjugated to an antibody against CD56 and then passing cells though a magnetic field. CD56+ cells bound to microbeads are retained by the field whereas CD56– cells pass unimpeded through the column. Cell suspensions from any stage of the sorting process can be plated and cultured. Following a given intervention, cell morphology, and the expression and localization of proteins including nuclear transcription factors can be quantified using immunofluorescent labeling with specific antibodies and an image processing and analysis package. PMID:25650991

  13. Detection of Her2-overexpressing cancer cells using keyhole shaped chamber array employing a magnetic droplet-handling system.

    PubMed

    Okochi, Mina; Koike, Shinji; Tanaka, Masayoshi; Honda, Hiroyuki

    2017-07-15

    An on-chip gene expression analysis compartmentalized in droplets was developed for detection of cancer cells at a single-cell level. The chip consists of a keyhole-shaped reaction chamber with hydrophobic modification employing a magnetic bead-droplet-handling system with a gate for bead separation. Using three kinds of water-based droplets in oil, a droplet with sample cells, a lysis buffer with magnetic beads, and RT-PCR buffer, parallel magnetic manipulation and fusion of droplets were performed using a magnet-handling device containing small external magnet patterns in an array. The actuation with the magnet offers a simple system for droplet manipulation that allows separation and fusion of droplets containing magnetic beads. After reverse transcription and amplification by thermal cycling, fluorescence was obtained for detection of overexpressing genes. For clinical detection of gastric cancer cells in peritoneal washing, the Her2-overexpressing gastric cancer cells spiked within normal cells was detected by gene expression analysis of droplets containing an average of 2.5 cells. Our developed droplet-based cancer detection system manipulated by external magnetic force without pumps or valves offers a simple and flexible set-up for transcriptional detection of cancer cells, and will be greatly advantageous for less-invasive clinical diagnosis and prognostic prediction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Evidence for the interaction of large scale magnetic structures in solar flares

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mandrini, C. H.; Demoulin, P.; Henoux, J. C.; Machado, M. E.

    1991-01-01

    By modeling the observed vertical magnetic field of an active region AR 2372 by the potential field of an ensemble of magnetic dipoles, the likely location of the separatrices, surfaces that separates cells of different field line connectivities, and of the separator which is the intersection of the separatrices, is derived. Four of the five off-band H-alpha kernels of a flare that occurred less than 20 minutes before obtaining the magnetogram are shown to have taken place near or at the separatrices. These H-alpha kernels are connected by field lines that pass near the separator. This indicates that the flare may have resulted from the interaction in the separator region of large scale magnetic structures.

  15. Effective elimination of cancer stem cells by magnetic hyperthermia.

    PubMed

    Sadhukha, Tanmoy; Niu, Lin; Wiedmann, Timothy Scott; Panyam, Jayanth

    2013-04-01

    Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that have stem cell-like properties and are thought to be responsible for tumor drug resistance and relapse. Therapies that can effectively eliminate CSCs will, therefore, likely inhibit tumor recurrence. The objective of our study was to determine the susceptibility of CSCs to magnetic hyperthermia, a treatment that utilizes superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles placed in an alternating magnetic field to generate localized heat and achieve selective tumor cell kill. SPIO NPs having a magnetite core of 12 nm were used to induce magnetic hyperthermia in A549 and MDA-MB-231 tumor cells. Multiple assays for CSCs, including side population phenotype, aldehyde dehydrogenase expression, mammosphere formation, and in vivo xenotransplantation, indicated that magnetic hyperthermia reduced or, in some cases, eliminated the CSC subpopulation in treated cells. Interestingly, conventional hyperthermia, induced by subjecting cells to elevated temperature (46 °C) in a water bath, was not effective in eliminating CSCs. Our studies show that magnetic hyperthermia has pleiotropic effects, inducing acute necrosis in some cells while stimulating reactive oxygen species generation and slower cell kill in others. These results suggest the potential for lower rates of tumor recurrence after magnetic hyperthermia compared to conventional cancer therapies.

  16. How a High-Gradient Magnetic Field Could Affect Cell Life

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zablotskii, Vitalii; Polyakova, Tatyana; Lunov, Oleg; Dejneka, Alexandr

    2016-11-01

    The biological effects of high-gradient magnetic fields (HGMFs) have steadily gained the increased attention of researchers from different disciplines, such as cell biology, cell therapy, targeted stem cell delivery and nanomedicine. We present a theoretical framework towards a fundamental understanding of the effects of HGMFs on intracellular processes, highlighting new directions for the study of living cell machinery: changing the probability of ion-channel on/off switching events by membrane magneto-mechanical stress, suppression of cell growth by magnetic pressure, magnetically induced cell division and cell reprograming, and forced migration of membrane receptor proteins. By deriving a generalized form for the Nernst equation, we find that a relatively small magnetic field (approximately 1 T) with a large gradient (up to 1 GT/m) can significantly change the membrane potential of the cell and thus have a significant impact on not only the properties and biological functionality of cells but also cell fate.

  17. How a High-Gradient Magnetic Field Could Affect Cell Life

    PubMed Central

    Zablotskii, Vitalii; Polyakova, Tatyana; Lunov, Oleg; Dejneka, Alexandr

    2016-01-01

    The biological effects of high-gradient magnetic fields (HGMFs) have steadily gained the increased attention of researchers from different disciplines, such as cell biology, cell therapy, targeted stem cell delivery and nanomedicine. We present a theoretical framework towards a fundamental understanding of the effects of HGMFs on intracellular processes, highlighting new directions for the study of living cell machinery: changing the probability of ion-channel on/off switching events by membrane magneto-mechanical stress, suppression of cell growth by magnetic pressure, magnetically induced cell division and cell reprograming, and forced migration of membrane receptor proteins. By deriving a generalized form for the Nernst equation, we find that a relatively small magnetic field (approximately 1 T) with a large gradient (up to 1 GT/m) can significantly change the membrane potential of the cell and thus have a significant impact on not only the properties and biological functionality of cells but also cell fate. PMID:27857227

  18. An innovative cascade system for simultaneous separation of multiple cell types.

    PubMed

    Pierzchalski, Arkadiusz; Mittag, Anja; Bocsi, Jozsef; Tarnok, Attila

    2013-01-01

    Isolation of different cell types from one sample by fluorescence activated cell sorting is standard but expensive and time consuming. Magnetic separation is more cost effective and faster by but requires substantial effort. An innovative pluriBead-cascade cell isolation system (pluriSelect GmbH, Leipzig, Germany) simultaneously separates two or more different cell types. It is based on antibody-mediated binding of cells to beads of different size and their isolation with sieves of different mesh-size. For the first time, we validated the pluriSelect system for simultaneous separation of CD4+- and CD8+-cells from human EDTA-blood samples. Results were compared with those obtained by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS; two steps -first isolation of CD4+, then restaining of the residual cell suspension with anti-human CD8+ MACS antibody followed by the second isolation). pluriSelect separation was done in whole blood, MACS separation on density gradient isolated mononuclear cells. Isolated and residual cells were immunophenotyped by 7-color 9-marker panel (CD3; CD16/56; CD4; CD8; CD14; CD19; CD45; HLA-DR) using flow cytometry. Cell count, purity, yield and viability (7-AAD exclusion) were determined. There were no significant differences between both systems regarding purity (MACS (median[range]: 92.4% [91.5-94.9] vs. pluriSelect 95% [94.9-96.8])) of CD4+ cells, however CD8+ isolation showed lower purity by MACS (74.8% [67.6-77.9], pluriSelect 89.9% [89.0-95.7]). Yield was not significantly different for CD4 (MACS 58.5% [54.1-67.5], pluriSelect 67.9% [56.8-69.8]) and for CD8 (MACS 57.2% [41.3-72.0], pluriSelect 67.2% [60.0-78.5]). Viability was slightly higher with MACS for CD4+ (98.4% [97.8-99.0], pluriSelect 94.1% [92.1-95.2]) and for CD8+-cells (98.8% [98.3-99.1], pluriSelect 86.7% [84.2-89.9]). pluriSelect separation was substantially faster than MACS (1h vs. 2.5h) and no pre-enrichment steps were necessary. In conclusion, pluriSelect is a fast, simple and gentle system for efficient simultaneous separation of two and more cell subpopulation directly from whole blood and provides a simple alternative to magnetic separation.

  19. Isolation of circulating tumor cells by immunomagnetic enrichment and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (IE/FACS) for molecular profiling.

    PubMed

    Magbanua, Mark Jesus M; Park, John W

    2013-12-01

    Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells shed by the primary tumor into the blood stream capable of initiating distant metastasis. In the past decade, numerous assays have been developed to reliably detect these extremely rare cells. However, methods for purification of CTCs with little or no contamination of normal blood cells for molecular profiling are limited. We have developed a novel protocol to isolate CTCs by combining immunomagnetic enrichment and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (IE/FACS). The two-part assay includes (1) immunomagnetic capture using magnetic beads conjugated to monoclonal antibody against an epithelial cell adhesion marker (EpCAM) to enrich for tumor cells; and (2) FACS analysis using EpCAM to purify tumor cells away from mononuclear cells of hematopoietic lineage. Downstream molecular analyses of single and pooled cells confirmed the isolation of highly pure CTCs with characteristics typical that of malignant cells. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Effects of high-gradient magnetic fields on living cell machinery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zablotskii, V.; Lunov, O.; Kubinova, S.; Polyakova, T.; Sykova, E.; Dejneka, A.

    2016-12-01

    A general interest in biomagnetic effects is related to fundamental studies of the influence of magnetic fields on living objects on the cellular and whole organism levels. Emerging technologies offer new directions for the use of high-gradient magnetic fields to control cell machinery and to understand the intracellular biological processes of the emerging field of nanomedicine. In this review we aim at highlighting recent advances made in identifying fundamental mechanisms by which magnetic gradient forces act on cell fate specification and cell differentiation. The review also provides an analysis of the currently available magnetic systems capable of generating magnetic fields with spatial gradients of up to 10 MT m-1, with the focus on their suitability for use in cell therapy. Relationships between experimental factors and underlying biophysical mechanisms and assumptions that would ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of cell machinery and the development of more predictive models for the evaluation of the effects of magnetic fields on cells, tissue and organisms are comprehensively discussed.

  1. Bio-inactivation of human malignant cells through highly responsive diluted colloidal suspension of functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferreira, Roberta V.; Silva-Caldeira, Priscila P.; Pereira-Maia, Elene C.; Fabris, José D.; Cavalcante, Luis Carlos D.; Ardisson, José D.; Domingues, Rosana Z.

    2016-04-01

    Magnetic fluids, more specifically aqueous colloidal suspensions containing certain magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), have recently been gaining special interest due to their potential use in clinical treatments of cancerous formations in mammalians. The technological application arises mainly from their hyperthermic behavior, which means that the nanoparticles dissipate heat upon being exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). If the temperature is raised to slightly above 43 °C, cancer cells are functionally inactivated or killed; however, normal cells tend to survive under those same conditions, entirely maintaining their bioactivity. Recent in vitro studies have revealed that under simultaneous exposure to an AMF and magnetic nanoparticles, certain lines of cancer cells are bio-inactivated even without experiencing a significant temperature increase. This non-thermal effect is cell specific, indicating that MNPs, under alternating magnetic fields, may effectively kill cancer cells under conditions that were previously thought to be implausible, considering that the temperature does not increase more than 5 °C, which is also true in cases for which the concentration of MNPs is too low. To experimentally test for this effect, this study focused on the feasibility of inducing K562 cell death using an AMF and aqueous suspensions containing very low concentrations of MNPs. The assay was designed for a ferrofluid containing magnetite nanoparticles, which were obtained through the co-precipitation method and were functionalized with citric acid; the particles had an average diameter of 10 ± 2 nm and a mean hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 40 nm. Experiments were first performed to test for the ability of the ferrofluid to release heat under an AMF. The results show that for concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 1.0 × 103 mg L-1, the maximum temperature increase was actually less than 2 °C. However, the in vitro test results from K562 cells and suspensions containing these MNPs at concentrations varying within a narrower range from 2.5 to 10 mg L-1, typically under an AMF of 15 kA m-1 at 356 kHz, indicate efficient cytotoxic activity against malignant cells and inhibition of cell growth, even at very low hyperthermally induced temperature increases. The IC50 value varied with time, reaching 3.5 mg L-1 after 10 min under the AMF. Our results effectively demonstrate new prospective uses for such nanoparticles in advanced medical practices in oncology.

  2. Transcranial magnetic stimulation modifies astrocytosis, cell density and lipopolysaccharide levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

    PubMed

    Medina-Fernández, Francisco J; Luque, Evelio; Aguilar-Luque, Macarena; Agüera, Eduardo; Feijóo, Montserrat; García-Maceira, Fe I; Escribano, Begoña M; Pascual-Leone, Álvaro; Drucker-Colín, René; Túnez, Isaac

    2017-01-15

    Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is considered a valid experimental model for multiple sclerosis, a chronic neuroinflammatory condition of the central nervous system. Additionally, some evidence has shown that some microbial products such as the bacterial lipopolysaccharide could lead to the activation of reactive immune cells, triggering neuroinflammation. Several studies have found that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may exert a neuroprotective effect. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of TMS on the neuroinflammation occurring in EAE. A total of 44 male Dark Agouti rats were used. EAE induction was performed administering subcutaneously at the dorsal base of the tail a single dose of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Clinical evaluation of motor symptoms was performed. Brain and spinal cord were collected and analyzed for nitric oxide, bacterial lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein. We also carried out a histologic exam, which included an astrocyte immunostaining and Nissl staining for the assessment of brain cell density and pyknotic nuclei. TMS effectively ameliorated motor impairment secondary to EAE. This form of magnetic field was capable of decreasing the proliferation of astrocytes as a response to the autoimmune attack, reducing the content of nitric oxide, bacterial lipopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in central nervous system. Moreover, in treated animals, brain cell density was improved and the number of pyknotic nuclei was decreased. Transcranial magnetic stimulation modifies astrocytosis, cell density and lipopolysaccharide levels in EAE. These results suggest that TMS could be a promising treatment for neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Magnetic field enhanced cell uptake efficiency of magnetic silica mesoporous nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Liu, Qian; Zhang, Jixi; Xia, Weiliang; Gu, Hongchen

    2012-06-07

    The advantages of using magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (M-MSNs) in biomedical applications have been widely recognized. However, poor uptake efficiency may hinder the potential of M-MSNs in many applications, such as cell tracking, drug delivery, fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging. An external magnetic field may improve the cellular uptake efficiency. In this paper, we evaluated the effect of a magnetic field on the uptake of M-MSNs. We found that the internalization of M-MSNs by A549 cancer cells could be accelerated and enhanced by a magnetic field. An endocytosis study indicated that M-MSNs were internalized by A549 cells mainly through an energy-dependent pathway, namely clathrin-induced endocytosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed that M-MSNs were trafficked into lysosomes. With the help of a magnetic field, anticancer drug-loaded M-MSNs induced elevated cancer cell growth inhibition.

  4. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies of carbon metabolism in the actinomycin D producer Streptomyces parvulus by use of 13C-labeled precursors.

    PubMed Central

    Inbar, L; Lapidot, A

    1991-01-01

    Fructose and glutamate metabolism was monitored in cell suspensions of streptomyces parvulus by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. The experiments were performed for cells grown with various 13C sources in a growth medium containing D-[U-13C]fructose, L-[13C]glutamate, or L-[U-13C]aspartate and with nonlabeled precursors to compare intracellular pools in S. parvulus cells at different periods of the cell life cycle. The transport of fructose into the cells was biphasic in nature; during rapid transport, mannitol, fructose, and glucose 6-phosphate were accumulated intracellularly, whereas during the passive diffusion of fructose, the intracellular carbohydrate pool comprised mainly trehalose (1,1'-alpha-alpha-D-glucose). The regulation of fructokinase activity by the intracellular intermediates may play an important role in fructose catabolism in S. parvulus. Transaldolase activity in S. parvulus was determined from the 13C nuclear magnetic resonance labeling pattern of trehalose carbons obtained from cells grown in medium containing either L-[U-13C]aspartate or L-[U-13C]glutamate. Only carbons 4, 5, and 6 of the disaccharide were labeled. Isotopomer analysis of the trehalose carbons led us to conclude that the flux through the reverse glycolytic pathway, condensation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate with dihydroxyacetone phosphate, makes at best a minor contribution to the 13C-labeled glucose units observed in trehalose. The pentose pathway and transaldolase activity can explain the labeling pattern of 4,5,6-13C3 of trehalose. Moreover, the transfer of the 13C label of L-[U-13C]aspartate into the different isotopomers of trehalose C4, C5, and C6 by the transaldolase activity allowed us to calculate the relative fluxes from oxaloacetate via gluconeogenesis and through the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The ratio of the two fluxes is approximately 1. However, the main carbon source for trehalose synthesis in S. parvulus is fructose and not glutamate or aspartate. The 13C enrichment and isotopomer population, measured by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, of the actinomycin D peptide ring enabled us to specify the origins of the five amino acids of actinomycin D. Threonine and proline exhibited isotopomer populations similar to that of the extracellular L-[13C]glutamate, indicating that protein catabolism is the origin of their 13C label, whereas the isotopomer populations of sarcosine and N-methylvaline were similar to those of the new intracellular pool of S. parvulus that originated from D-[U-13C]fructose during the production of actinomycin D. PMID:1744035

  5. Synthesis, characterization and application of iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles in mimic of wound healing model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Konyala, Divya

    The research study focused on synthesis, characterization and applications of Fe3O4 core-shelled magnetic nanomaterials. This Fe3O4 magnetic nanomaterials will be prepared by using cost effective and convenient wet-chemistry method and will encapsulated using aqueous extracts of medicinal natural products. Three natural products namely Symplocos racemosa, Picrorhiza kurroa and Butea monosperma used to encapsulate Fe3O 4 MNMs due to their scope to reduce the risk of cancer, improves health, increase energy and enhance the immunity. These three medicinal natural products are synthesize by using water as a solvents to derive its active constituents, which will further used to functionalize the magnetic nanomaterials. The magnetic nanoparticles characterization studies performed using X-ray powder diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, Transmission electron microscope, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Magnetic property. Fe3O4 magnetic nanomaterials biological activity was tested on Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The results pointed out that, due to the adequate coating of Fe 3O4 (Iron Oxide) core by the medicinal chemical constituents from the natural products, the absorption of Fe3O4 magnetic nanomaterials was not detected in the UV-VIS Spectroscopy. TEM images showed that Fe3O4 coated with natural product extract in core-shelled structure, and the size of the particle ranges from 6 nm to 10 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was performed to determine the nature of chemicals present in natural extracts and functionalized Fe3O 4 magnetic nanomaterials. The model of wound healing mimic and antibacterial activity performed on gram-negative (Escherichia coli), indicating steady increasing cell growth after adding Fe3O4 MNMs. It was also found that MNMs synthesized at high temperatures shows less wound healing activity, when compared to MNMs prepared at room temperature due to formation of clusters at high temperatures.

  6. Synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of fluoro-substituted chalcones.

    PubMed

    Burmaoglu, Serdar; Algul, Oztekin; Anıl, Derya Aktas; Gobek, Arzu; Duran, Gulay Gulbol; Ersan, Ronak Haj; Duran, Nizami

    2016-07-01

    A series of novel fluoro-substituted chalcone derivatives have been synthesized. All synthesized compounds were characterized by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), (13)C NMR, and elemental analysis. Their anti-proliferative activities were evaluated against five cancer cells lines, namely, A549, A498, HeLa, A375, and HepG2 using the MTT method. Most of the compounds showed moderate to high activity with IC50 values in the range of 0.029-0.729μM. Of all the synthesized compounds, 10 and 19 exhibited the most potent anti-proliferative activities against cancer cells, and 10 was identified as the most promising compound. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Plasma confinement apparatus using solenoidal and mirror coils

    DOEpatents

    Fowler, T. Kenneth; Condit, William C.

    1979-01-01

    A plasma confinement apparatus, wherein multiple magnetic mirror cells are linked by magnetic field lines inside of a solenoid with the mirroring regions for adjacent magnetic mirror cells each formed by a separate mirror coil inside of the solenoid. The magnetic mirror cells may be field reversed.

  8. Dynamical buoyancy of hydrodynamic eddies. [in solar atmosphere

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Parker, E. N.

    1991-01-01

    The dynamical pressure reduction within a vortex tube produces both a tension along the tube and a general buoyancy, analogous to magnetic flux tubes. The dynamical buoyancy causes convective cells to rise at speeds comparable to the rms fluid velocity within the cell. Consequently, the convective cells in a stratified atmosphere are more active than indicated by the standard anelastic approximation. The coherent convective cells at each level actively crowd upward into the convective cells above, elbowing weaker cells out of the way and flattening themselves and others against the upper surface of the convective region. These effects can be seen in the recent SOUP observations of the solar granulation. Deeper in the convective zone the inhomogeneity of the buoyancy may explain the random character of the convective motions that turns up in recent numerical simulations.

  9. Recent advances in magnetofection and its potential to deliver siRNAs in vitro.

    PubMed

    Mykhaylyk, Olga; Zelphati, Olivier; Hammerschmid, Edelburga; Anton, Martina; Rosenecker, Joseph; Plank, Christian

    2009-01-01

    This chapter describes how to design and conduct experiments to deliver siRNA to adherent mammalian cells in vitro by magnetic force-assisted transfection using self-assembled complexes of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and cationic lipids or polymers that are associated with magnetic nanoparticles. These magnetic complexes are targeted to the cell surface by the application of a magnetic gradient field. In this chapter, first we describe the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for magnetofection and the association of siRNA with the magnetic components of the transfection complex. Second, a simple protocol is described in order to evaluate magnetic responsiveness of the magnetic siRNA transfection complexes and estimate the complex loading with magnetic nanoparticles. Third, protocols are provided for the preparation of magnetic lipoplexes and polyplexes of siRNA, magnetofection, downregulation of gene expression, and the determination of cell viability. The addition of INF-7 peptide, a fusogenic peptide, to the magnetic transfection triplexes improved gene silencing in HeLa cells. The described protocols are also valuable for screening vector compositions and novel magnetic nanoparticle preparations to optimize siRNA transfection by magnetofection in every cell type.

  10. Elongated Nanoparticle Aggregates in Cancer Cells for Mechanical Destruction with Low Frequency Rotating Magnetic Field.

    PubMed

    Shen, Yajing; Wu, Congyu; Uyeda, Taro Q P; Plaza, Gustavo R; Liu, Bin; Han, Yu; Lesniak, Maciej S; Cheng, Yu

    2017-01-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with targeting moieties can recognize specific cell components and induce mechanical actuation under magnetic field. Their size is adequate for reaching tumors and targeting cancer cells. However, due to the nanometric size, the force generated by MNPs is smaller than the force required for largely disrupting key components of cells. Here, we show the magnetic assembly process of the nanoparticles inside the cells, to form elongated aggregates with the size required to produce elevated mechanical forces. We synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc, to obtain high magnetization, and functionalized with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) peptide for targeting cancer cells. Under a low frequency rotating magnetic field at 15 Hz and 40 mT, the internalized EGF-MNPs formed elongated aggregates and generated hundreds of pN to dramatically damage the plasma and lysosomal membranes. The physical disruption, including leakage of lysosomal hydrolases into the cytosol, led to programmed cell death and necrosis. Our work provides a novel strategy of designing magnetic nanomedicines for mechanical destruction of cancer cells.

  11. Elongated Nanoparticle Aggregates in Cancer Cells for Mechanical Destruction with Low Frequency Rotating Magnetic Field

    PubMed Central

    Shen, Yajing; Wu, Congyu; Uyeda, Taro Q. P.; Plaza, Gustavo R.; Liu, Bin; Han, Yu; Lesniak, Maciej S.; Cheng, Yu

    2017-01-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with targeting moieties can recognize specific cell components and induce mechanical actuation under magnetic field. Their size is adequate for reaching tumors and targeting cancer cells. However, due to the nanometric size, the force generated by MNPs is smaller than the force required for largely disrupting key components of cells. Here, we show the magnetic assembly process of the nanoparticles inside the cells, to form elongated aggregates with the size required to produce elevated mechanical forces. We synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles doped with zinc, to obtain high magnetization, and functionalized with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) peptide for targeting cancer cells. Under a low frequency rotating magnetic field at 15 Hz and 40 mT, the internalized EGF-MNPs formed elongated aggregates and generated hundreds of pN to dramatically damage the plasma and lysosomal membranes. The physical disruption, including leakage of lysosomal hydrolases into the cytosol, led to programmed cell death and necrosis. Our work provides a novel strategy of designing magnetic nanomedicines for mechanical destruction of cancer cells. PMID:28529648

  12. Combined targeting of lentiviral vectors and positioning of transduced cells by magnetic nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Hofmann, Andreas; Wenzel, Daniela; Becher, Ulrich M; Freitag, Daniel F; Klein, Alexandra M; Eberbeck, Dietmar; Schulte, Maike; Zimmermann, Katrin; Bergemann, Christian; Gleich, Bernhard; Roell, Wilhelm; Weyh, Thomas; Trahms, Lutz; Nickenig, Georg; Fleischmann, Bernd K; Pfeifer, Alexander

    2009-01-06

    Targeting of viral vectors is a major challenge for in vivo gene delivery, especially after intravascular application. In addition, targeting of the endothelium itself would be of importance for gene-based therapies of vascular disease. Here, we used magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to combine cell transduction and positioning in the vascular system under clinically relevant, nonpermissive conditions, including hydrodynamic forces and hypothermia. The use of MNPs enhanced transduction efficiency of endothelial cells and enabled direct endothelial targeting of lentiviral vectors (LVs) by magnetic force, even in perfused vessels. In addition, application of external magnetic fields to mice significantly changed LV/MNP biodistribution in vivo. LV/MNP-transduced cells exhibited superparamagnetic behavior as measured by magnetorelaxometry, and they were efficiently retained by magnetic fields. The magnetic interactions were strong enough to position MNP-containing endothelial cells at the intima of vessels under physiological flow conditions. Importantly, magnetic positioning of MNP-labeled cells was also achieved in vivo in an injury model of the mouse carotid artery. Intravascular gene targeting can be combined with positioning of the transduced cells via nanomagnetic particles, thereby combining gene- and cell-based therapies.

  13. Imparting magnetic dipole heterogeneity to internalized iron oxide nanoparticles for microorganism swarm control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Paul Seung Soo; Becker, Aaron; Ou, Yan; Julius, Anak Agung; Kim, Min Jun

    2015-03-01

    Tetrahymena pyriformis is a single cell eukaryote that can be modified to respond to magnetic fields, a response called magnetotaxis. Naturally, this microorganism cannot respond to magnetic fields, but after modification using iron oxide nanoparticles, cells are magnetized and exhibit a constant magnetic dipole strength. In experiments, a rotating field is applied to cells using a two-dimensional approximate Helmholtz coil system. Using rotating magnetic fields, we characterize discrete cells' swarm swimming which is affected by several factors. The behavior of the cells under these fields is explained in detail. After the field is removed, relatively straight swimming is observed. We also generate increased heterogeneity within a population of cells to improve controllability of a swarm, which is explored in a cell model. By exploiting this straight swimming behavior, we propose a method to control discrete cells utilizing a single global magnetic input. Successful implementation of this swarm control method would enable teams of microrobots to perform a variety of in vitro microscale tasks impossible for single microrobots, such as pushing objects or simultaneous micromanipulation of discrete entities.

  14. Effect of a static magnetic field on orthodontic tooth movement in the rat.

    PubMed

    Tengku, B S; Joseph, B K; Harbrow, D; Taverne, A A; Symons, A L

    2000-10-01

    Orthodontic tooth movement may be enhanced by the application of a magnetic field. Bone remodelling necessary for orthodontic tooth movement involves clastic cells, which are tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive and which may also be regulated by growth hormone (GH) via its receptor (GHR). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a static magnetic field (SMF) on orthodontic tooth movement in the rat. Thirty-two male Wistar rats, 9 weeks old, were fitted with an orthodontic appliance directing a mesial force of 30 g on the left maxillary first molar. The appliance incorporated a weight (NM) or a magnet (M). The animals were killed at 1, 3, 7, or 14 days post-appliance insertion, and the maxillae processed to paraffin. Sagittal sections of the first molar were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), for TRAP activity or immunohistochemically for GHR. The percentage body weight loss/gain, magnetic flux density, tooth movement, width of the periodontal ligament (PDL), length of root resorption lacunae, and hyalinized zone were measured. TRAP and GHR-positive cells along the alveolar bone, root surface, and in the PDL space were counted. The incorporation of a SMF (100-170 Gauss) into an orthodontic appliance did not enhance tooth movement, nor greatly alter the histological appearance of the PDL during tooth movement. However significantly greater root resorption (P = 0.016), increased width of the PDL (P = 0.017) and greater TRAP activity (P = 0.001) were observed for group M at day 7 on the compression side. At day 14 no differences were observed between the appliance groups.

  15. Effects of Magnetic Field on Biological Cells and Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Ching-Jen

    2001-03-01

    While there has been extensive research performed in the physics of magnetic fields and the physics and chemistry in life sciences, independent of each other, there has been a paucity of scientific research and development investigating the possible applications of magnetic fields in life sciences. The focus of this presentation is to present the stimulation mechanism by which magnetic fields affect (a) yeast cells (b) plant cells and (c) mammalian normal and cancer cells. Recently we have found that the Saccharomyces Cerevsa yeast growth increases by about 30to a 1 tesla field and the production of CO2 increases by about 30of yeast metabolism may be due to an increase in intercellular interaction and protein channel alignment, the introduction of an alteration in the DNA from the magnetic field exposure or a combination of these mechanisms. We also have found that the application of high magnetic fields (1 tesla and above) can have marked effects on the germination and growth of plants, especially corn, beans and peas. This finding has opened up the possibility of technology developments in botanical growth systems to accelerate seed germination and crop harvesting. Most recently we have investigated the application of high magnetic fields on leukemia, CaCoII and HEP G2 cancer cell lines. We found that when leukemia are exposed to a 12 tesla field for 2 hours has an increase in cell death by about 30that were not exposed to the magnetic field. Viability of CaCoII cells sandwiched between permanent magnets of maximum strength of 1.2 tesla was measured. A decrease in viable cells by 33unexposed cells. HSP 70 was measured for HEPG2 cells that were exposed to permanent magnetic field of 1.2 tesla for 40 minutes and for unexposed cells. It was found that the exposed cells produce 19 times more HSP70 compared to unexposed cells. Our results together with other investigators report suggest a strong evidence of a reduction in the cell growth rate for cancer cells when subjected to high magnetic field. Devices that utilize an applied steady magnetic filed in it operation such as devices for blood component separation and diagnostic sensors have been developed.

  16. Modulation of monocytic leukemia cell function and survival by high gradient magnetic fields and mathematical modeling studies.

    PubMed

    Zablotskii, Vitalii; Syrovets, Tatiana; Schmidt, Zoe W; Dejneka, Alexandr; Simmet, Thomas

    2014-03-01

    The influence of spatially modulated high gradient magnetic fields on cellular functions of human THP-1 leukemia cells is studied. We demonstrate that arrays of high-gradient micrometer-sized magnets induce i) cell swelling, ii) prolonged increased ROS production, and iii) inhibit cell proliferation, and iv) elicit apoptosis of THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells in the absence of chemical or biological agents. Mathematical modeling indicates that mechanical stress exerted on the cells by high magnetic gradient forces is responsible for triggering cell swelling and formation of reactive oxygen species followed by apoptosis. We discuss physical aspects of controlling cell functions by focused magnetic gradient forces, i.e. by a noninvasive and nondestructive physical approach. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Addressing of LnCaP Cell Using Magnetic Particles Assisted Impedimetric Microelectrode.

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Dung Thi Xuan; Tran, Trong Binh; Nguyen, Phuong-Diem; Min, Junhong

    2016-03-01

    In this study, we provide a facile, effective technique for a simple isolation and enrichment of low metastatic prostate tumor cell LNCaP using biocompatible, magnetic particles asissted impedimetric sensing system. Hydrophobic cell membrane anchors (BAM) were generated onto magnetic particles which diameters vary from 50 nm to 5 μm and were used to capture LNCaP cells from the suspension. Finally, magnetic particle-LNCaP complex were addressed onto the surface of the interdigitated microelectrode (IDM). Cell viability was monitored by our laboratory developed-technique Electrical Cell Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS). The results reavealed that 50 nm-magnetic particles showed best performance in terms of cell separation and cell viability. This technique provides a simple and efficient method for the direct addressing of LNCaP cell on the surface and enhances better understanding of cell behavior for cancer management in the near future.

  18. Influence of pulsed electromagnetic and pulsed vector magnetic potential field on the growth of tumor cells.

    PubMed

    Loja, Tomas; Stehlikova, Olga; Palko, Lukas; Vrba, Kamil; Rampl, Ivan; Klabusay, Martin

    2014-09-01

    Tumor diseases cause 20% of deaths in Europe and they are the second most common cause of death and morbidity after cardiovascular diseases. Thus, tumor cells are target of many therapeutic strategies and tumor research is focused on searching more efficient and specific drugs as well as new therapeutic approaches. One of the areas of tumor research is an issue of external fields. In our work, we tested influence of a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and a hypothetic field of the pulsed vector magnetic potential (PVMP) on the growth of tumor cells; and further the possible growth inhibition effect of the PVMP. Both unipolar and bipolar PEMF fields of 5 mT and PVMP fields of 0 mT at frequencies of 15 Hz, 125 Hz and 625 Hz were tested on cancer cell lines derived from various types of tumors: CEM/C2 (acute lymphoblastic leukemia), SU-DHL-4 (B-cell lymphoma), COLO-320DM (colorectal adenocarcinoma), MDA-BM-468 (breast adenocarcinoma), and ZR-75-1 (ductal carcinoma). Cell morphology was observed, proliferation activity using WST assay was measured and simultaneous proportion of live, early apoptotic and dead cells was detected using flow cytometry. A PEMF of 125 Hz and 625 Hz for 24 h-48 h increased proliferation activity in the 2 types of cancer cell lines used, i.e. COLO-320DM and ZR-75-1. In contrast, any of employed methods did not confirm a significant inhibitory effect of hypothetic PVMP field on tumor cells.

  19. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bolo, N.R.

    1991-11-01

    The goal of this work is to investigate the potential for and limitations of in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for quantitation of glucose flux through the pentose phosphate pathway (shunt). Interest in the shunt is motivated by the possibility that its activity may be greatly increased in cancer and in the pathological states of cardiac and cerebral ischemia. The ability to dynamically monitor flux through the pentose shunt can give new knowledge about metabolism in pathological states. {sup 13}C NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor shunt activity by determination of the ratios of ({sup 13}C-4) to ({sup 13}C-5)-glutamate,more » ({sup 13}C-3) to ({sup 13}C-2)-alanine or ({sup 13}C-3) to ({sup 13}C-2)-lactate produced when ({sup 13}C-2)-glucose is infused. These methods provide measures of the effect of oxidative stresses on shunt activity in systems ranging from cell free enzyme-substrate preparations to cell suspensions and whole animals. In anaerobic cell free preparations, the fraction of glucose flux through the shunt was monitored with a time resolution of 3 minutes. This work predicts the potential for in vivo human studies of pentose phosphate pathway activity based on the mathematical simulation of the {sup 13}C fractional enrichments of C4 and C5-glutamate as a function of shunt activity and on the signal-to- noise ratio acquired in {sup 13}C NMR human studies from the current literature.« less

  20. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bolo, Nicolas Robin

    1991-11-01

    The goal of this work is to investigate the potential for and limitations of in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for quantitation of glucose flux through the pentose phosphate pathway (shunt). Interest in the shunt is motivated by the possibility that its activity may be greatly increased in cancer and in the pathological states of cardiac and cerebral ischemia. The ability to dynamically monitor flux through the pentose shunt can give new knowledge about metabolism in pathological states. 13C NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor shunt activity by determination of the ratios of [ 13C-4] to [ 13C-5]-glutamate, [more » 13C-3] to [ 13C-2]-alanine or [ 13C-3] to [ 13C-2]-lactate produced when [ 13C-2]-glucose is infused. These methods provide measures of the effect of oxidative stresses on shunt activity in systems ranging from cell free enzyme-substrate preparations to cell suspensions and whole animals. In anaerobic cell free preparations, the fraction of glucose flux through the shunt was monitored with a time resolution of 3 minutes. This work predicts the potential for in vivo human studies of pentose phosphate pathway activity based on the mathematical simulation of the 13C fractional enrichments of C4 and C5-glutamate as a function of shunt activity and on the signal-to- noise ratio acquired in 13C NMR human studies from the current literature.« less

  1. Magnetic nanoparticles for selective heating of magnetically labelled cells in culture: preliminary investigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hilger, Ingrid; Kießling, Andreas; Romanus, Erik; Hiergeist, Robert; Hergt, Rudolf; Andrä, Wilfried; Roskos, Martin; Linss, Werner; Weber, Peter; Weitschies, Werner; Kaiser, Werner A.

    2004-08-01

    The minimally invasive elimination of tumours using heating as a therapeutic agent is an emerging technology in medical applications. Particularly, the intratumoural application of magnetic nanoparticles as potential heating sources when exposed to an alternating magnetic field has been demonstrated. The present work deals with the estimation of the basic relationships when the magnetic material has access and binds to structures on cell membranes of target cells at the tumour region, particularly as a consequence of administration through tumour supplying vessels. Therefore, using mouse endothelial cells in culture, the binding of dextran coated magnetic nanoparticles (mean hydrodynamic particle diameter 65 nm) was modelled using the periodate method. The efficacy of cell labelling was demonstrated by magnetorelaxometry (MRX)—a selective method for the detection of only those magnetic nanoparticles that were immobilized—as well as by electron microscopy and iron staining. The amount of iron immobilized on cells was found to be 153 ± 56 µg Fe per 1 × 107 cells as determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Moreover, after exposure of those 1 × 107 labelled cells to an alternating magnetic field (frequency 410 kHz, amplitude 11 kA m-1) for 5 min, temperature increases of 2 °C were achieved. The consequences of particle immobilization are reflected by the results of the measurements related to the specific heating power (SHP) of the magnetic material. Basically, the heating potential is explained by the superposition of Brown and Neél relaxation while for immobilized nanoparticles the Brown contribution is absent. In the long term the data could open the door to targeted magnetic heating after further optimization of the heating potential of magnetic material as well as after functionalization with biomolecules which recognize specific structures on the surface of cells at the target region.

  2. [Effect of pulse magnetic field on distribution of neuronal action potential].

    PubMed

    Zheng, Yu; Cai, Di; Wang, Jin-Hai; Li, Gang; Lin, Ling

    2014-08-25

    The biological effect on the organism generated by magnetic field is widely studied. The present study was aimed to observe the change of sodium channel under magnetic field in neurons. Cortical neurons of Kunming mice were isolated, subjected to 15 Hz, 1 mT pulse magnetic stimulation, and then the currents of neurons were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp. The results showed that, under magnetic stimulation, the activation process of Na(+) channel was delayed, and the inactivation process was accelerated. Given the classic three-layer model, the polarization diagram of cell membrane potential distribution under pulse magnetic field was simulated, and it was found that the membrane potential induced was associated with the frequency and intensity of magnetic field. Also the effect of magnetic field-induced current on action potential was simulated by Hodgkin-Huxley (H-H) model. The result showed that the generation of action potential was delayed, and frequency and the amplitudes were decreased when working current was between -1.32 μA and 0 μA. When the working current was higher than 0 μA, the generation frequency of action potential was increased, and the change of amplitudes was not obvious, and when the working current was lower than -1.32 μA, the time of rising edge and amplitudes of action potential were decreased drastically, and the action potential was unable to generate. These results suggest that the magnetic field simulation can affect the distribution frequency and amplitude of action potential of neuron via sodium channel mediation.

  3. Reversible assembly of magnetized particles: Application to water-borne pathogen enumeration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ramadan, Qasem

    2009-12-01

    Reversible assembly of magnetized particles and cells has been proposed and implemented. The approach is based on magnetized particles or magnetically labeled cell immobilization in an array of individual particle/cell for optical counting. The device has been tested for few types of magnetic particles and one water-borne pathogen: Giardia Lamblia. An individual particle immobilization efficiency of 92% was achieved.

  4. M13-templated magnetic nanoparticles for targeted in vivo imaging of prostate cancer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ghosh, Debadyuti; Lee, Youjin; Thomas, Stephanie; Kohli, Aditya G.; Yun, Dong Soo; Belcher, Angela M.; Kelly, Kimberly A.

    2012-10-01

    Molecular imaging allows clinicians to visualize the progression of tumours and obtain relevant information for patient diagnosis and treatment. Owing to their intrinsic optical, electrical and magnetic properties, nanoparticles are promising contrast agents for imaging dynamic molecular and cellular processes such as protein-protein interactions, enzyme activity or gene expression. Until now, nanoparticles have been engineered with targeting ligands such as antibodies and peptides to improve tumour specificity and uptake. However, excessive loading of ligands can reduce the targeting capabilities of the ligand and reduce the ability of the nanoparticle to bind to a finite number of receptors on cells. Increasing the number of nanoparticles delivered to cells by each targeting molecule would lead to higher signal-to-noise ratios and would improve image contrast. Here, we show that M13 filamentous bacteriophage can be used as a scaffold to display targeting ligands and multiple nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging of cancer cells and tumours in mice. Monodisperse iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles assemble along the M13 coat, and its distal end is engineered to display a peptide that targets SPARC glycoprotein, which is overexpressed in various cancers. Compared with nanoparticles that are directly functionalized with targeting peptides, our approach improves contrast because each SPARC-targeting molecule delivers a large number of nanoparticles into the cells. Moreover, the targeting ligand and nanoparticles could be easily exchanged for others, making this platform attractive for in vivo high-throughput screening and molecular detection.

  5. M13-templated magnetic nanoparticles for targeted in vivo imaging of prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, Debadyuti; Lee, Youjin; Thomas, Stephanie; Kohli, Aditya G; Yun, Dong Soo; Belcher, Angela M; Kelly, Kimberly A

    2012-10-01

    Molecular imaging allows clinicians to visualize the progression of tumours and obtain relevant information for patient diagnosis and treatment. Owing to their intrinsic optical, electrical and magnetic properties, nanoparticles are promising contrast agents for imaging dynamic molecular and cellular processes such as protein-protein interactions, enzyme activity or gene expression. Until now, nanoparticles have been engineered with targeting ligands such as antibodies and peptides to improve tumour specificity and uptake. However, excessive loading of ligands can reduce the targeting capabilities of the ligand and reduce the ability of the nanoparticle to bind to a finite number of receptors on cells. Increasing the number of nanoparticles delivered to cells by each targeting molecule would lead to higher signal-to-noise ratios and would improve image contrast. Here, we show that M13 filamentous bacteriophage can be used as a scaffold to display targeting ligands and multiple nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging of cancer cells and tumours in mice. Monodisperse iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles assemble along the M13 coat, and its distal end is engineered to display a peptide that targets SPARC glycoprotein, which is overexpressed in various cancers. Compared with nanoparticles that are directly functionalized with targeting peptides, our approach improves contrast because each SPARC-targeting molecule delivers a large number of nanoparticles into the cells. Moreover, the targeting ligand and nanoparticles could be easily exchanged for others, making this platform attractive for in vivo high-throughput screening and molecular detection.

  6. M13-templated magnetic nanoparticles for targeted in vivo imaging of prostate cancer

    PubMed Central

    Ghosh, Debadyuti; Lee, Youjin; Thomas, Stephanie; Kohli, Aditya G.; Yun, Dong Soo; Belcher, Angela M.; Kelly, Kimberly A.

    2014-01-01

    Molecular imaging allows clinicians to visualize the progression of tumours and obtain relevant information for patient diagnosis and treatment1. Owing to their intrinsic optical, electrical and magnetic properties, nanoparticles are promising contrast agents for imaging dynamic molecular and cellular processes such as protein-protein interactions, enzyme activity or gene expression2. Until now, nanoparticles have been engineered with targeting ligands such as antibodies and peptides to improve tumour specificity and uptake. However, excessive loading of ligands can reduce the targeting capabilities of the ligand3,4,5 and reduce the ability of the nanoparticle to bind to a finite number of receptors on cells6. Increasing the number of nanoparticles delivered to cells by each targeting molecule would lead to higher signal-to-noise ratios and improve image contrast. Here, we show that M13 filamentous bacteriophage can be used as a scaffold to display targeting ligands and multiple nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging of cancer cells and tumours in mice. Monodisperse iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles assemble along the M13 coat, and its distal end is engineered to display a peptide that targets SPARC glycoprotein, which is overexpressed in various cancers. Compared with nanoparticles that are directly functionalized with targeting peptides, our approach improves contrast because each SPARC-targeting molecule delivers a large number of nanoparticles into the cells. Moreover, the targeting ligand and nanoparticles could be easily exchanged for others, making this platform attractive for in vivo high-throughput screening and molecular detection. PMID:22983492

  7. A magnetic anti-cancer compound for magnet-guided delivery and magnetic resonance imaging

    PubMed Central

    Eguchi, Haruki; Umemura, Masanari; Kurotani, Reiko; Fukumura, Hidenobu; Sato, Itaru; Kim, Jeong-Hwan; Hoshino, Yujiro; Lee, Jin; Amemiya, Naoyuki; Sato, Motohiko; Hirata, Kunio; Singh, David J.; Masuda, Takatsugu; Yamamoto, Masahiro; Urano, Tsutomu; Yoshida, Keiichiro; Tanigaki, Katsumi; Yamamoto, Masaki; Sato, Mamoru; Inoue, Seiichi; Aoki, Ichio; Ishikawa, Yoshihiro

    2015-01-01

    Research on controlled drug delivery for cancer chemotherapy has focused mainly on ways to deliver existing anti-cancer drug compounds to specified targets, e.g., by conjugating them with magnetic particles or encapsulating them in micelles. Here, we show that an iron-salen, i.e., μ-oxo N,N'- bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine iron (Fe(Salen)), but not other metal salen derivatives, intrinsically exhibits both magnetic character and anti-cancer activity. X-Ray crystallographic analysis and first principles calculations based on the measured structure support this. It promoted apoptosis of various cancer cell lines, likely, via production of reactive oxygen species. In mouse leg tumor and tail melanoma models, Fe(Salen) delivery with magnet caused a robust decrease in tumor size, and the accumulation of Fe(Salen) was visualized by magnetic resonance imaging. Fe(Salen) is an anti-cancer compound with magnetic property, which is suitable for drug delivery and imaging. We believe such magnetic anti-cancer drugs have the potential to greatly advance cancer chemotherapy for new theranostics and drug-delivery strategies. PMID:25779357

  8. Advanced Method for Isolation of Mouse Hepatocytes, Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells, and Kupffer Cells.

    PubMed

    Liu, Jia; Huang, Xuan; Werner, Melanie; Broering, Ruth; Yang, Dongliang; Lu, Mengji

    2017-01-01

    Separation of pure cell populations from the liver is a prerequisite to study the role of hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells in liver physiology, pathophysiology, and immunology. Traditional methods for hepatic cell separation usually purify only single cell types from liver specimens. Here, we describe an efficient method that can simultaneously purify populations of hepatocytes (HCs), liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), and Kupffer cells (KCs) from a single mouse liver specimen. A liberase-based perfusion technique in combination with a low-speed centrifugation and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) led to the isolation and purification of HCs, KCs, and LSECs with high yields and purity.

  9. Rare Cell Separation and Analysis by Magnetic Sorting

    PubMed Central

    Zborowski, Maciej; Chalmers, Jeffrey J.

    2011-01-01

    Summary The separation and or isolation of rare cells using magnetic forces is commonly used and growing in use ranging from simple sample prep for further studies to a FDA approved, clinical diagnostic test. This grown is the result of both the demand to obtain homogeneous rare cells for molecular analysis and the dramatic increases in the power of permanent magnets that even allow the separation of some unlabeled cells based on intrinsic magnetic moments, such as malaria parasite-infected red blood cells. PMID:21812408

  10. Biological effects due to weak magnetic fields on plants

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Belyavskaya, N.

    In the evolution process, living organisms have experienced the action of the Earth's magnetic field (MF) that is a natural component of our environment. It is known that a galactic MF induction does not exceed 0.1 nT, since investigations of weak magnetic field (WMF) effects on biological systems have attracted attention of biologists due to planning long-term space flights to other planets where the magnetizing force is near 10-5 Oe. However, the role of WMF and its influence on organisms' functioning are still insufficiently investigated. A large number of experiments with seedlings of different plant species placed in WMF has found that the growth of their primary roots is inhibited during the early terms of germination in comparison with control. The proliferation activity and cell reproduction are reduced in meristem of plant roots under WMF application. The prolongation of total cell reproductive cycle is registered due to the expansion of G phase in1 different plant species as well as of G phase in flax and lentil roots along with2 relative stability of time parameters of other phases of cell cycle. In plant cells exposed to WMF, the decrease in functional activity of genome at early prereplicate period is shown. WMF causes the intensification in the processes of proteins' synthesis and break-up in plant roots. Qualitative and quantitative changes in protein spectrum in growing and differentiated cells of plant roots exposed to WMF are revealed. At ultrastructural level, there are observed such ultrastructural peculiarities as changes in distribution of condensed chromatin and nucleolus compactization in nuclei, noticeable accumulation of lipid bodies, development of a lytic compartment (vacuoles, cytosegresomes and paramural bodies), and reduction of phytoferritin in plastids in meristem cells of pea roots exposed to WMF. Mitochondria are the most sensitive organelle to WMF application: their size and relative volume in cells increase, matrix is electron-transparent, and cristae reduce. Cytochemical studies indicate that cells of plant roots exposed to WMF show the Ca2 + oversaturation both in all organelles and in a hyaloplasm of the cells unlike the control ones. The data presented suggest that prolonged plant exposures to WMF may cause different biological effects at the cellular, tissue and organ level. They may be functionally related to systems that regulate plant metabolism including the intracellular Ca 2 + homeostasis. The understanding of the fundamental mechanisms and sites of interactions between WMF and biological systems are complex and still deserve strong efforts, particular addressed to basic principles of coupling between field energy and biomolecules.

  11. Technique for obtaining highly enriched, quiescent immature Langerhans cells suitable for ex vivo assays.

    PubMed

    Tchou, Isabelle; Sabido, Odile; Lambert, Claude; Misery, Laurent; Garraud, Olivier; Genin, Christian

    2003-03-03

    Epidermis and surface epithelium-dendritic cells comprise of immature cells termed Langerhans cells (LCs), which express characteristically the Birbeck granules, along with surface markers such as CD1a. These cells can capture a pathogen and then migrate and differentiate to a more mature stage. During this maturation process, dentritic cells express surface markers differentially. In physio-pathological models of infection where LCs are involved, it is critically important to ensure that the LCs tested in vitro are still immature and are not artefactually matured-dentritic cells. For experimental purposes, LCs were isolated from skin epidermis obtained from patients undergoing plastic surgery. This work thus aimed at collecting fresh LCs ex vivo and at testing the cells for phenotypic and functional characteristics of the immature stage. After mechanic disruption of the epidermis and proceeding for single cell suspension obtaining, two methods for purification were tested in parallel: (a) a positive immuno-magnetic separation by anti-CD1a-coated beads and (b) a purely mechanic purification system based on a three-step Ficoll floatation process. Both systems were equally efficient in terms of purification and yield. By using flow cytometry phenotyping, we have demonstrated that the use of magnetic beads led to some degree of maturation of CD1a(+) LCs, contrary to the repeated Ficoll floatation. This work calls attention for the use of certain monoclonal antibodies such as anti-CD1a to purify immature dendritic cells as they pre-activate these cells. Pre-activation would render a number of assays on the early events of LC physiology invalid, contrary to the purification of fresh skin epidermis LCs by means of a repeated Ficoll floatation.

  12. Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy Reveals Dynamic Changes in the Magnetic Behavior of Very Small Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles During Cellular Uptake and Enables Determination of Cell-Labeling Efficacy.

    PubMed

    Poller, Wolfram C; Löwa, Norbert; Wiekhorst, Frank; Taupitz, Matthias; Wagner, Susanne; Möller, Konstantin; Baumann, Gert; Stangl, Verena; Trahms, Lutz; Ludwig, Antje

    2016-02-01

    In vivo tracking of nanoparticle-labeled cells by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) crucially depends on accurate determination of cell-labeling efficacy prior to transplantation. Here, we analyzed the feasibility and accuracy of magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) for estimation of cell-labeling efficacy in living THP-1 cells incubated with very small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (VSOP). Cell viability and proliferation capacity were not affected by the MPS measurement procedure. In VSOP samples without cell contact, MPS enabled highly accurate quantification. In contrast, MPS constantly overestimated the amount of cell associated and internalized VSOP. Analyses of the MPS spectrum shape expressed as harmonic ratio A₅/A₃ revealed distinct changes in the magnetic behavior of VSOP in response to cellular uptake. These changes were proportional to the deviation between MPS and actual iron amount, therefore allowing for adjusted iron quantification. Transmission electron microscopy provided visual evidence that changes in the magnetic properties correlated with cell surface interaction of VSOP as well as with alterations of particle structure and arrangement during the phagocytic process. Altogether, A₅/A₃-adjusted MPS enables highly accurate, cell-preserving VSOP quantification and furthermore provides information on the magnetic characteristics of internalized VSOP.

  13. Magnetically levitated mesenchymal stem cell spheroids cultured with a collagen gel maintain phenotype and quiescence

    PubMed Central

    Lewis, Natasha S; Lewis, Emily EL; Mullin, Margaret; Wheadon, Helen; Dalby, Matthew J; Berry, Catherine C

    2017-01-01

    Multicellular spheroids are an established system for three-dimensional cell culture. Spheroids are typically generated using hanging drop or non-adherent culture; however, an emerging technique is to use magnetic levitation. Herein, mesenchymal stem cell spheroids were generated using magnetic nanoparticles and subsequently cultured within a type I collagen gel, with a view towards developing a bone marrow niche environment. Cells were loaded with magnetic nanoparticles, and suspended beneath an external magnet, inducing self-assembly of multicellular spheroids. Cells in spheroids were viable and compared to corresponding monolayer controls, maintained stem cell phenotype and were quiescent. Interestingly, core spheroid necrosis was not observed, even with increasing spheroid size, in contrast to other commonly used spheroid systems. This mesenchymal stem cell spheroid culture presents a potential platform for modelling in vitro bone marrow stem cell niches, elucidating interactions between cells, as well as a useful model for drug delivery studies. PMID:28616152

  14. Effects of a 50 Hz magnetic field on Dictyostelium discoideum (Protista).

    PubMed

    Amaroli, Andrea; Trielli, Francesca; Bianco, Bruno; Giordano, Stefano; Moggia, Elsa; Corrado, Maria Umberta Delmonte

    2006-10-01

    Some studies have demonstrated that a few biological systems are affected by weak, extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs), lower than 10 mT. However, to date there is scanty evidence of this effect on Protists in the literature. Due to their peculiarity as single-cell eukaryotic organisms, Protists respond directly to environmental stimuli, thus appearing as very suitable experimental systems. Recently, we showed the presence of propionylcholinesterase (PrChE) activity in single-cell amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum. This enzyme activity was assumed to be involved in cell-cell and cell-environment interactions, as its inhibition affects cell aggregation and differentiation. In this work, we have exposed single-cell amoebae of D. discoideum to an ELF-EMF of about 200 microT, 50 Hz, for 3 h or 24 h at 21 degrees C. A delay in the early phase of the differentiation was observed in 3 h exposed cells, and a significant decrease in the fission rate appeared in 24 h exposed cells. The PrChE activity was significantly lower in 3 h exposed cells than in the controls, whereas 24 h exposed cells exhibited an increase in this enzyme activity. However, such effects appeared to be transient, as the fission rate and PrChE activity values returned to the respective control values after a 24 h stay under standard conditions.

  15. Automated Cell Enrichment of Cytomegalovirus-specific T cells for Clinical Applications using the Cytokine-capture System.

    PubMed

    Kumaresan, Pappanaicken; Figliola, Mathew; Moyes, Judy S; Huls, M Helen; Tewari, Priti; Shpall, Elizabeth J; Champlin, Richard; Cooper, Laurence J N

    2015-10-05

    The adoptive transfer of pathogen-specific T cells can be used to prevent and treat opportunistic infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurring after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Viral-specific T cells from allogeneic donors, including third party donors, can be propagated ex vivo in compliance with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP), employing repeated rounds of antigen-driven stimulation to selectively propagate desired T cells. The identification and isolation of antigen-specific T cells can also be undertaken based upon the cytokine capture system of T cells that have been activated to secrete gamma-interferon (IFN-γ). However, widespread human application of the cytokine capture system (CCS) to help restore immunity has been limited as the production process is time-consuming and requires a skilled operator. The development of a second-generation cell enrichment device such as CliniMACS Prodigy now enables investigators to generate viral-specific T cells using an automated, less labor-intensive system. This device separates magnetically labeled cells from unlabeled cells using magnetic activated cell sorting technology to generate clinical-grade products, is engineered as a closed system and can be accessed and operated on the benchtop. We demonstrate the operation of this new automated cell enrichment device to manufacture CMV pp65-specific T cells obtained from a steady-state apheresis product obtained from a CMV seropositive donor. These isolated T cells can then be directly infused into a patient under institutional and federal regulatory supervision. All the bio-processing steps including removal of red blood cells, stimulation of T cells, separation of antigen-specific T cells, purification, and washing are fully automated. Devices such as this raise the possibility that T cells for human application can be manufactured outside of dedicated good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities and instead be produced in blood banking facilities where staff can supervise automated protocols to produce multiple products.

  16. Magnetic assembly of 3D cell clusters: visualizing the formation of an engineered tissue.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, S; Kumar, S R P; Puri, I K; Elankumaran, S

    2016-02-01

    Contactless magnetic assembly of cells into 3D clusters has been proposed as a novel means for 3D tissue culture that eliminates the need for artificial scaffolds. However, thus far its efficacy has only been studied by comparing expression levels of generic proteins. Here, it has been evaluated by visualizing the evolution of cell clusters assembled by magnetic forces, to examine their resemblance to in vivo tissues. Cells were labeled with magnetic nanoparticles, then assembled into 3D clusters using magnetic force. Scanning electron microscopy was used to image intercellular interactions and morphological features of the clusters. When cells were held together by magnetic forces for a single day, they formed intercellular contacts through extracellular fibers. These kept the clusters intact once the magnetic forces were removed, thus serving the primary function of scaffolds. The cells self-organized into constructs consistent with the corresponding tissues in vivo. Epithelial cells formed sheets while fibroblasts formed spheroids and exhibited position-dependent morphological heterogeneity. Cells on the periphery of a cluster were flattened while those within were spheroidal, a well-known characteristic of connective tissues in vivo. Cells assembled by magnetic forces presented visual features representative of their in vivo states but largely absent in monolayers. This established the efficacy of contactless assembly as a means to fabricate in vitro tissue models. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  17. Fiber-optic control and thermometry of single-cell thermosensation logic.

    PubMed

    Fedotov, I V; Safronov, N A; Ermakova, Yu G; Matlashov, M E; Sidorov-Biryukov, D A; Fedotov, A B; Belousov, V V; Zheltikov, A M

    2015-11-13

    Thermal activation of transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels is one of the most striking examples of temperature-controlled processes in cell biology. As the evidence indicating the fundamental role of such processes in thermosensation builds at a fast pace, adequately accurate tools that would allow heat receptor logic behind thermosensation to be examined on a single-cell level are in great demand. Here, we demonstrate a specifically designed fiber-optic probe that enables thermal activation with simultaneous online thermometry of individual cells expressing genetically encoded TRP channels. This probe integrates a fiber-optic tract for the delivery of laser light with a two-wire microwave transmission line. A diamond microcrystal fixed on the fiber tip is heated by laser radiation transmitted through the fiber, providing a local heating of a cell culture, enabling a well-controlled TRP-assisted thermal activation of cells. Online local temperature measurements are performed by using the temperature-dependent frequency shift of optically detected magnetic resonance, induced by coupling the microwave field, delivered by the microwave transmission line, to nitrogen--vacancy centers in the diamond microcrystal. Activation of TRP channels is verified by using genetically encoded fluorescence indicators, visualizing an increase in the calcium flow through activated TRP channels.

  18. Structural Characteristics of the Novel Polysaccharide FVPA1 from Winter Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom, Flammulina velutipes (Agaricomycetes), Capable of Enhancing Natural Killer Cell Activity against K562 Tumor Cells.

    PubMed

    Jia, Wei; Feng, Jie; Zhang, Jing-Song; Lin, Chi-Chung; Wang, Wen-Han; Chen, Hong-Ge

    2017-01-01

    FVPA1, a novel polysaccharide, has been isolated from fruiting bodies of the culinary-medicinal mushroom Flammulina velutipes, a historically popular, widely cultivated and consumed functional food with an attractive taste, beneficial nutraceutical properties such as antitumor and immunomodulatory effects, and a number of essential biological activities. The average molecular weight was estimated to be ~1.8 × 104 Da based on high-performance size exclusion chromatography. Sugar analyses, methylation analyses, and 1H, 13C, and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed the following structure of the repeating units of the FVPA1 polysaccharide Identification of this structure would conceivably lead to better understanding of the nutraceutical functions of this very important edible fungus. Bioactivity tests in vitro indicated that FVPA1 could significantly enhance natural killer cell activity against K562 tumor cells.

  19. Magnetic forces enable controlled drug delivery by disrupting endothelial cell-cell junctions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qiu, Yongzhi; Tong, Sheng; Zhang, Linlin; Sakurai, Yumiko; Myers, David R.; Hong, Lin; Lam, Wilbur A.; Bao, Gang

    2017-06-01

    The vascular endothelium presents a major transport barrier to drug delivery by only allowing selective extravasation of solutes and small molecules. Therefore, enhancing drug transport across the endothelial barrier has to rely on leaky vessels arising from disease states such as pathological angiogenesis and inflammatory response. Here we show that the permeability of vascular endothelium can be increased using an external magnetic field to temporarily disrupt endothelial adherens junctions through internalized iron oxide nanoparticles, activating the paracellular transport pathway and facilitating the local extravasation of circulating substances. This approach provides a physically controlled drug delivery method harnessing the biology of endothelial adherens junction and opens a new avenue for drug delivery in a broad range of biomedical research and therapeutic applications.

  20. Cell-Permeable, MMP-2 Activatable, Nickel Ferrite and His-Tagged Fusion Protein Self-Assembled Fluorescent Nanoprobe for Tumor Magnetic-Targeting and Imaging.

    PubMed

    Sun, Lu; Xie, Shuping; Qi, Jing; Liu, Ergang; Liu, Di; Liu, Quan; Chen, Sunhui; He, Huining; Yang, Victor C

    2017-11-15

    Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activatable imaging probe has been explored for tumor detection. However, activation of the probe is mainly done in the extracellular space without intracellular uptake of the probe for more sensitivity. Although cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been demonstrated to enable intracellular delivery of the imaging probe, they nevertheless encounter off-target delivery of the cargos to normal tissues. Herein, we have developed a dual MMP-2-activatable and tumor cell-permeable magnetic nanoprobe to simultaneously achieve selective and intracellular tumor imaging. This novel imaging probe was constructed by self-assembling a hexahistidine-tagged (His-tagged) fluorescent fusion protein chimera and nickel ferrite nanoparticles via a chelation mechanism. The His-tagged fluorescent protein chimera consisted of a red fluorescent protein mCherry that acted as the fluorophore, the low-molecular-weight protamine peptide as the CPP, and the MMP-2 cleavage sequence fused with the hexahistidine tag, whereas the nickel ferrite nanoparticles functioned as the His-tagged protein binder and also the fluorescent quencher. Both in vitro and in vivo results revealed that this imaging probe would not only remain nonpermeable to normal tissues, thereby offsetting the nonselective cellular uptake, but was also suppressed of fluorescent signals during magnetic tumor-targeting in the circulation, primarily because of the masking of the CPP activity and quenching of the fluorophore by the associated NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. However, these properties were recovered or "turned on" by the action of tumor-associated MMP-2 stimuli, leading to cell penetration of the nanoprobes as well as fluorescence restoration and visualization within the tumor cells. In this regard, the presented tumor-activatable and cell-permeable system deems to be an appealing platform to achieve selective tumor imaging and intracellular protein delivery. Its impact is therefore significant, far-reaching, and wide-spread.

  1. Synthesis, characterization and biological activities of copper(II) complex of 2-Benzimidazolyl-urea and the nitrate salt of 2-Benzimidazolyl-urea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Poyraz, Mehmet; Sari, Musa; Banti, Christina N.; Hadjikakou, Sotiris K.

    2017-10-01

    The synthesis of the complex {[Cu(BZIMU)2](NO3)2} (1) (BZIMU = 2-Benzimidazolyl-urea) is reported here. The complex 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance measurements. The crystal structures of 1 and of the nitrate salt of [(BZIMUH+)(NO3)-] (2) were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The copper complex 1 and [(BZIMUH+)(NO3)-] (2) were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity (cell viability) against human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line and normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) with SRB assay.

  2. Alternating magnetic field-induced hyperthermia increases iron oxide nanoparticle cell association/uptake and flux in blood-brain barrier models.

    PubMed

    Dan, Mo; Bae, Younsoo; Pittman, Thomas A; Yokel, Robert A

    2015-05-01

    Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are being investigated for brain cancer therapy because alternating magnetic field (AMF) activates them to produce hyperthermia. For central nervous system applications, brain entry of diagnostic and therapeutic agents is usually essential. We hypothesized that AMF-induced hyperthermia significantly increases IONP blood-brain barrier (BBB) association/uptake and flux. Cross-linked nanoassemblies loaded with IONPs (CNA-IONPs) and conventional citrate-coated IONPs (citrate-IONPs) were synthesized and characterized in house. CNA-IONP and citrate-IONP BBB cell association/uptake and flux were studied using two BBB Transwell(®) models (bEnd.3 and MDCKII cells) after conventional and AMF-induced hyperthermia exposure. AMF-induced hyperthermia for 0.5 h did not alter CNA-IONP size but accelerated citrate-IONP agglomeration. AMF-induced hyperthermia for 0.5 h enhanced CNA-IONP and citrate-IONP BBB cell association/uptake. It also enhanced the flux of CNA-IONPs across the two in vitro BBB models compared to conventional hyperthermia and normothermia, in the absence of cell death. Citrate-IONP flux was not observed under these conditions. AMF-induced hyperthermia also significantly enhanced paracellular pathway flux. The mechanism appears to involve more than the increased temperature surrounding the CNA-IONPs. Hyperthermia induced by AMF activation of CNA-IONPs has potential to increase the BBB permeability of therapeutics for the diagnosis and therapy of various brain diseases.

  3. Nonmagnetic high pressure cell for magnetic remanence measurements up to 1.5 GPa in a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer.

    PubMed

    Sadykov, Ravil A; Bezaeva, Natalia S; Kharkovskiy, Alexander I; Rochette, Pierre; Gattacceca, Jérome; Trukhin, Vladimir I

    2008-11-01

    We describe here a compact nonmagnetic composite high pressure cell of piston-cylinder type with inner diameter of 6 mm equipped with manganin pressure sensor. This cell was developed for room temperature measurements of magnetic remanence of relatively large rock samples (up to 5.8 mm in diameter and 15 mm long cylinders) under hydrostatic pressure up to 1.5 GPa (the operating pressure limit) in the 2G Enterprises superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. Its design was focused on minimizing the remanent magnetic moment m(r) of the cell (m(r)=3 x 10(-8) A m(2)) that allowed direct measurements of remanent magnetic moment M(r) under pressure for weakly magnetic materials-rock samples (M(r) epsilon[5 x 10(-7),10(-4)] A m(2)). The inner part of this composite cell is made of hard "Russian alloy" (Ni(57)Cr(40)Al(3)) whereas the envelope of the cell corps is made of less magnetic titanium alloy. This design solution permitted to reduce the total remanent magnetic moment of the whole cell and represents the main device feature. We describe here the choice of materials for pressure cell based on their magnetic and mechanical properties, the choice of the pressure transmitting medium (polyethilsiloxane liquid) providing perfectly hydrostatic conditions for the sample as well as the cell geometry. The cell performance is illustrated by results of pressure demagnetization experiments on rocks and minerals.

  4. Combined targeting of lentiviral vectors and positioning of transduced cells by magnetic nanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Hofmann, Andreas; Wenzel, Daniela; Becher, Ulrich M.; Freitag, Daniel F.; Klein, Alexandra M.; Eberbeck, Dietmar; Schulte, Maike; Zimmermann, Katrin; Bergemann, Christian; Gleich, Bernhard; Roell, Wilhelm; Weyh, Thomas; Trahms, Lutz; Nickenig, Georg; Fleischmann, Bernd K.; Pfeifer, Alexander

    2009-01-01

    Targeting of viral vectors is a major challenge for in vivo gene delivery, especially after intravascular application. In addition, targeting of the endothelium itself would be of importance for gene-based therapies of vascular disease. Here, we used magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to combine cell transduction and positioning in the vascular system under clinically relevant, nonpermissive conditions, including hydrodynamic forces and hypothermia. The use of MNPs enhanced transduction efficiency of endothelial cells and enabled direct endothelial targeting of lentiviral vectors (LVs) by magnetic force, even in perfused vessels. In addition, application of external magnetic fields to mice significantly changed LV/MNP biodistribution in vivo. LV/MNP-transduced cells exhibited superparamagnetic behavior as measured by magnetorelaxometry, and they were efficiently retained by magnetic fields. The magnetic interactions were strong enough to position MNP-containing endothelial cells at the intima of vessels under physiological flow conditions. Importantly, magnetic positioning of MNP-labeled cells was also achieved in vivo in an injury model of the mouse carotid artery. Intravascular gene targeting can be combined with positioning of the transduced cells via nanomagnetic particles, thereby combining gene- and cell-based therapies. PMID:19118196

  5. Transcription upregulation via force-induced direct stretching of chromatin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tajik, Arash; Zhang, Yuejin; Wei, Fuxiang; Sun, Jian; Jia, Qiong; Zhou, Wenwen; Singh, Rishi; Khanna, Nimish; Belmont, Andrew S.; Wang, Ning

    2016-12-01

    Mechanical forces play critical roles in the function of living cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of how forces influence nuclear events remain elusive. Here, we show that chromatin deformation as well as force-induced transcription of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged bacterial-chromosome dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) transgene can be visualized in a living cell by using three-dimensional magnetic twisting cytometry to apply local stresses on the cell surface via an Arg-Gly-Asp-coated magnetic bead. Chromatin stretching depended on loading direction. DHFR transcription upregulation was sensitive to load direction and proportional to the magnitude of chromatin stretching. Disrupting filamentous actin or inhibiting actomyosin contraction abrogated or attenuated force-induced DHFR transcription, whereas activating endogenous contraction upregulated force-induced DHFR transcription. Our findings suggest that local stresses applied to integrins propagate from the tensed actin cytoskeleton to the LINC complex and then through lamina-chromatin interactions to directly stretch chromatin and upregulate transcription.

  6. Apparatus and method for polarizing polarizable nuclear species

    DOEpatents

    Hersman, F. William; Leuschner, Mark; Carberry, Jeannette

    2005-09-27

    The present invention is a polarizing process involving a number of steps. The first step requires moving a flowing mixture of gas, the gas at least containing a polarizable nuclear species and vapor of at least one alkali metal, with a transport velocity that is not negligible when compared with the natural velocity of diffusive transport. The second step is propagating laser light in a direction, preferably at least partially through a polarizing cell. The next step is directing the flowing gas along a direction generally opposite to the direction of laser light propagating. The next step is containing the flowing gas mixture in the polarizing cell. The final step is immersing the polarizing cell in a magnetic field. These steps can be initiated in any order, although the flowing gas, the propagating laser and the magnetic field immersion must be concurrently active for polarization to occur.

  7. Using ferromagnetic nanoparticles with low Curie temperature for magnetic resonance imaging-guided thermoablation

    PubMed Central

    Herynek, Vít; Turnovcová, Karolína; Veverka, Pavel; Dědourková, Tereza; Žvátora, Pavel; Jendelová, Pavla; Gálisová, Andrea; Kosinová, Lucie; Jiráková, Klára; Syková, Eva

    2016-01-01

    Introduction Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) represent a tool for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided thermoablation of tumors using an external high-frequency (HF) magnetic field. To avoid local overheating, perovskite NPs with a lower Curie temperature (Tc) were proposed for use in thermotherapy. However, deposited power decreases when approaching the Curie temperature and consequently may not be sufficient for effective ablation. The goal of the study was to test this hypothesis. Methods Perovskite NPs (Tc =66°C–74°C) were characterized and tested both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the cells suspended with NPs were exposed to a HF magnetic field together with control samples. In vivo, a NP suspension was injected into a induced tumor in rats. Distribution was checked by MRI and the rats were exposed to a HF field together with control animals. Apoptosis in the tissue was evaluated. Results and discussion In vitro, the high concentration of suspended NPs caused an increase of the temperature in the cell sample, leading to cell death. In vivo, MRI confirmed distribution of the NPs in the tumor. The temperature in the tumor with injected NPs did not increase substantially in comparison with animals without particles during HF exposure. We proved that the deposited power from the NPs is too small and that thermoregulation of the animal is sufficient to conduct the heat away. Histology did not detect substantially higher apoptosis in NP-treated animals after ablation. Conclusion Magnetic particles with low Tc can be tracked in vivo by MRI and heated by a HF field. The particles are capable of inducing cell apoptosis in suspensions in vitro at high concentrations only. However, their effect in the case of extracellular deposition in vivo is questionable due to low deposited power and active thermoregulation of the tissue. PMID:27540292

  8. Cytotoxic effect of indigenously fabricated dental magnets for application in prosthodontics.

    PubMed

    Guttal, Satyabodh Shesharaj; Nadiger, Ramesh K; Shetty, Pravinkumar

    2018-01-01

    Dental magnets are used for retaining removable prostheses such as a removable partial denture, complete denture, and maxillofacial prosthesis. They provide good retention for the prostheses. However, the elements released from the magnets may be cytotoxic for the tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate their cytotoxic effect on cell lines. The aim of the study is to check the cytotoxic effect of indigenously fabricated dental magnets on animal cell lines. Neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnet was tested for cytotoxicity. The magnet was encased in a teflon cylinder. Magnets were placed in the well tissue-cultured plates together with a suspension containing NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts (5 × 10 5 cells/ml). After 3 days of incubation at 37°C, cell viability was determined by mean transit time (MTT) assay. Cells were subsequently dissolved in 100 μl dimethyl sulfoxide with gentle shaking for 2 h at room temperature followed by measurement of absorbance at 570 nm. Eight replicate wells were used at each point in each of four separate measurements. Measured absorbance values were directly used for calculating percent of viable cells remaining after the respective treatment. Data were analyzed statistically with significance level set at P < 0.05. The control group had highest absorbance reading for the MTT assay followed by test group. The lowest values were found with bare Nd-Fe-B magnets. One-way ANOVA test was performed for the data obtained. There was a statistical significant difference seen in the positive control (bare magnets, 44.96) and the test (teflon cased magnets, 96.90) group. More number of viable cells was visible in test group cells indicating that the indigenously fabricated dental magnet did not show any cytotoxicity.

  9. Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Using Bioactive Magnetic Nanoparticles and Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields

    PubMed Central

    Novickij, Vitalij; Stanevičienė, Ramunė; Vepštaitė-Monstavičė, Iglė; Gruškienė, Rūta; Krivorotova, Tatjana; Sereikaitė, Jolanta; Novickij, Jurij; Servienė, Elena

    2018-01-01

    Nisin is a known bacteriocin, which exhibits a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, while commonly being inefficient against Gram-negative bacteria. In this work, we present a proof of concept of novel antimicrobial methodology using targeted magnetic nisin-loaded nano-carriers [iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) (11–13 nm) capped with citric, ascorbic, and gallic acids], which are activated by high pulsed electric and electromagnetic fields allowing to overcome the nisin-resistance of bacteria. As a cell model the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli were used. We have applied 10 and 30 kV cm-1 electric field pulses (100 μs × 8) separately and in combination with two pulsed magnetic field protocols: (1) high dB/dt 3.3 T × 50 and (2) 10 mT, 100 kHz, 2 min protocol to induce additional permeabilization and local magnetic hyperthermia. We have shown that the high dB/dt pulsed magnetic fields increase the antimicrobial efficiency of nisin NPs similar to electroporation or magnetic hyperthermia methods and a synergistic treatment is also possible. The results of our work are promising for the development of new methods for treatment of the drug-resistant foodborne pathogens to minimize the risks of invasive infections. PMID:29375537

  10. Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria Using Bioactive Magnetic Nanoparticles and Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields.

    PubMed

    Novickij, Vitalij; Stanevičienė, Ramunė; Vepštaitė-Monstavičė, Iglė; Gruškienė, Rūta; Krivorotova, Tatjana; Sereikaitė, Jolanta; Novickij, Jurij; Servienė, Elena

    2017-01-01

    Nisin is a known bacteriocin, which exhibits a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity, while commonly being inefficient against Gram-negative bacteria. In this work, we present a proof of concept of novel antimicrobial methodology using targeted magnetic nisin-loaded nano-carriers [iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) (11-13 nm) capped with citric, ascorbic, and gallic acids], which are activated by high pulsed electric and electromagnetic fields allowing to overcome the nisin-resistance of bacteria. As a cell model the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli were used. We have applied 10 and 30 kV cm -1 electric field pulses (100 μs × 8) separately and in combination with two pulsed magnetic field protocols: (1) high d B /d t 3.3 T × 50 and (2) 10 mT, 100 kHz, 2 min protocol to induce additional permeabilization and local magnetic hyperthermia. We have shown that the high d B /d t pulsed magnetic fields increase the antimicrobial efficiency of nisin NPs similar to electroporation or magnetic hyperthermia methods and a synergistic treatment is also possible. The results of our work are promising for the development of new methods for treatment of the drug-resistant foodborne pathogens to minimize the risks of invasive infections.

  11. Synthesis of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers with excellent biocompatibility for the selective separation and inhibition of testosterone in prostate cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Tang, Xiaoshuang; Li, Feng; Jia, Jing; Yang, Chao; Liu, Wei; Jin, Ben; Wang, Xinyang; Gao, Ruixia; He, Dalin; Guo, Peng

    2017-01-01

    Androgen plays an important role in the progression of prostate cancer. In the present study, novel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) with good biocompatibility were produced for the selective separation and inhibition of testosterone in prostate cancer cells. MMIPs were prepared by using magnetic nanospheres, gelatin, and testosterone as the supporting materials, functional monomer, and the template molecule, respectively. The characterization of the resultant products was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. To test whether MMIPs can remove testosterone in biologic samples, human LNCaP (androgen-dependent) and C4-2 (androgen-independent) prostate cancer cells were selected as cell models. The translocation of androgen receptor (AR) was detected by immunofluorescence assay, and the expression of PSA mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Cell flow cytometry analysis was performed to detect cell cycle arrest. The synthesized nanomaterials (MMIPs) possessed high crystallinity, satisfactory superparamagnetic properties, and uniform imprinted shell, and exhibited high adsorption capacity, fast kinetics, and high selectivity for testosterone. Moreover, the obtained imprinted nanomaterials could selectively enrich and detect testosterone in the LNCaP cell samples as a solid-phase extractant coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the MMIPs could freely enter prostate cancer cells and suppress the translocation of AR into the cell nucleus. We further found that MMIPs inhibited upregulation of AR downstream target genes in LNCaP and C4-2 cells; also, MMIPs inhibited cell growth and induced obvious cell cycle arrest in androgen-dependent LNCaP cells, but had no obvious effect on androgen-independent C4-2 cells. Our results indicate that the obtained imprinted nanomaterials can specifically and effectively bind testosterone and recover it from prostate cancer cells. Moreover, the MMIPs can freely enter prostate cancer cells and block the activation of testosterone-AR pathway. Thus, the MMIPs may be a new option for antiandrogen therapy in prostate cancer.

  12. Detecting molecules and cells labeled with magnetic particles using an atomic magnetometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Dindi; Ruangchaithaweesuk, Songtham; Yao, Li; Xu, Shoujun

    2012-09-01

    The detection of magnetically labeled molecules and cells involves three essential parameters: sensitivity, spatial resolution, and molecular specificity. We report on the use of atomic magnetometry and its derivative techniques to achieve high performance in terms of all these parameters. With a sensitivity of 80 fT/√Hz for dc magnetic fields, we show that 7,000 streptavidin-conjugated magnetic microparticles magnetized by a permanent magnet produce a magnetic field of 650 pT; this result predicts that a single such particle can be detected during one second of signal averaging. Spatial information is obtained using a scanning magnetic imaging scheme. The spatial resolution is 20 μm with a detection distance of more than 1 cm; this distance is much longer than that in previous reports. The molecular specificity is achieved using force-induced remnant magnetization spectroscopy, which currently uses an atomic magnetometer for detection. As an example, we perform measurement of magnetically labeled human CD4+ T cells, whose count in the blood is the diagnostic criterion for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Magnetic particles that are specifically bound to the cells are resolved from nonspecifically bound particles and quantitatively correlate with the number of cells. The magnetic particles have an overall size of 2.8 μm, with a magnetic core in nanometer regime. The combination of our techniques is predicted to be useful in molecular and cellular imaging.

  13. Experimental Demonstrations in Teaching Chemical Reactions.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hugerat, Muhamad; Basheer, Sobhi

    2001-01-01

    Presents demonstrations of chemical reactions by employing different features of various compounds that can be altered after a chemical change occurs. Experimental activities include para- and dia-magnetism in chemical reactions, aluminum reaction with base, reaction of acid with carbonates, use of electrochemical cells for demonstrating chemical…

  14. Antibacterial applications of α-Fe2O3/Co3O4 nanocomposites and study of their structural, optical, magnetic and cytotoxic characteristics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhushan, Mayank; Kumar, Yogesh; Periyasamy, Latha; Viswanath, Annamraju Kasi

    2018-02-01

    Owing to their multiple mechanisms of bactericidal activity, inorganic metal oxides and hybrid metal oxide nanocomposites may serve as a new class of effective disinfectants. Among metal oxide nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles exhibit minimal or no cytotoxicity to human cells with very efficient bactericidal properties over a wide spectrum of bacteria. This paper presents the very first report on antibacterial properties of novel nanocomposites of iron oxide and cobalt oxide nanoparticles against pathogenic bacterial strains B. subtilis, S. aureus, E.coli and S. typhi. The enhanced bactericidal activity of the Fe/Co oxide nanocomposite was the result of synergistic effect of iron oxide and cobalt oxide nanoparticles. The nanocomposites were synthesized using co-precipitation route with increasing cobalt content in the sample and further characterized using XRD, TEM, Raman and VSM to investigate structural, optical and magnetic properties of the prepared nanocomposites, respectively. Also, the prepared nanocomposites were highly biocompatible and found non-toxic to human cell line MCF7.

  15. Magnetic-activated cell sorting before density gradient centrifugation improves recovery of high-quality spermatozoa.

    PubMed

    Berteli, T S; Da Broi, M G; Martins, W P; Ferriani, R A; Navarro, P A

    2017-07-01

    Recent studies have evaluated the use of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) to reduce apoptotic spermatozoa and improve sperm quality. However, the efficiency of using MACS alone, before or after sperm processing by density gradient centrifugation (DGC) has not yet been established. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal protocol of MACS in assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Thus, we compared sperm quality obtained by DGC alone (DGC), DGC followed by MACS (DGC-MACS), MACS followed by DGC (MACS-DGC), and MACS alone (MACS), and found that the combined methods (MACS-DGC and DGC-MACS) led to retrieval of less spermatozoa with fragmented DNA compared to the single protocols. However, MACS-DGC protocol led to a significantly higher percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility and normal morphology than DGC-MACS protocol. These findings suggest the potential clinical value of using MACS-DGC to improve sperm quality in seminal preparation for ART. © 2017 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.

  16. Development of a magnetic fluid shaft seal for an axial-flow blood pump.

    PubMed

    Sekine, Kazumitsu; Mitamura, Yoshinori; Murabayashi, Shun; Nishimura, Ikuya; Yozu, Ryouhei; Kim, Dong-Wook

    2003-10-01

    A rotating impeller in a rotary blood pump requires a supporting system in blood, such as a pivot bearing or magnetic suspension. To solve potential problems such as abrasive wear and complexity of a supporting system, a magnetic fluid seal was developed for use in an axial-flow blood pump. Sealing pressures at motor speeds of up to 8,000 rpm were measured with the seal immersed in water or bovine blood. The sealing pressure was about 200 mm Hg in water and blood. The calculated theoretical sealing pressure was about 230 mm Hg. The seal remained perfect for 743 days in a static condition and for 180+ days (ongoing test) at a motor speed of 7,000 rpm. Results of measurement of cell growth activity indicated that the magnetic fluid has no negative cytological effects. The specially designed magnetic fluid shaft seal is useful for an axial-flow blood pump.

  17. Hybrid microfluidics combined with active and passive approaches for continuous cell separation.

    PubMed

    Yan, Sheng; Zhang, Jun; Yuan, Dan; Li, Weihua

    2017-01-01

    Microfluidics, which is classified as either active or passive, is capable of separating cells of interest from a complex and heterogeneous sample. Active methods utilise external fields such as electric, magnetic, acoustic, and optical to drive cells for separation, while passive methods utilise channel structures, intrinsic hydrodynamic forces, and steric hindrances to manipulate cells. However, when processing complex biological samples such as whole blood with rare cells, separation with a single module microfluidic device is difficult. Hybrid microfluidics is an emerging technique, which utilises active and passive methods whilst fulfilling higher requirements for stable performance, versatility, and convenience, including (i) the ability to process multi-target cells, (ii) enhanced ability for multiplexed separation, (iii) higher sensitivity, and (iv) tunability for a wider operational range. This review introduces the fundamental physics and typical formats for subclasses of hybrid microfluidic devices based on their different physical fields; presents current examples of cell sorting to highlight the advantage and usefulness of hybrid microfluidics on biomedicine, and then discusses the challenges and perspective of future development and the promising direction of research in this field. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. Experimental treatment of neoplasic diseases and tumors with iono magnetic therapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rizsanyi, Elek Karsay; Quiróz, David Lavan; Huamaccto, Carlos Levano; Marroquín, Erwin Guerra

    2001-10-01

    The Iono Magnetic Therapy is a alternative control method for cell growth population in pancreas and cerebral cancer. The magnetic field applied to cells with cancer decrease the growth of this cells or their multiplication. We observed a potential difference opposite to cell potential and propose that the ionic interchange is very slow tampering with cell growth in cancer.

  19. A novel approach for in vitro studies applying electrical fields to cell cultures by transformer-like coupling.

    PubMed

    Hess, R; Neubert, H; Seifert, A; Bierbaum, S; Hart, D A; Scharnweber, D

    2012-12-01

    The purpose of this study was to develop a new apparatus for in vitro studies applying low frequency electrical fields to cells without interfering side effects like biochemical reactions or magnetic fields which occur in currently available systems. We developed a non-invasive method by means of the principle of transformer-like coupling where the magnetic field is concentrated in a toroid and, therefore, does not affect the cell culture. Next to an extensive characterization of the electrical field parameters, initial cell culture studies have focused on examining the response of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to pulsed electrical fields. While no significant differences in the proliferation of human MSCs could be detected, significant increases in ALP activity as well as in gene expression of other osteogenic markers were observed. The results indicate that transformer-like coupled electrical fields can be used to influence osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs in vitro and can pose a useful tool in understanding the influence of electrical fields on the cellular and molecular level.

  20. Fast and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogen using electrochemical impedance analysis, urease catalysis and microfluidics.

    PubMed

    Chen, Qi; Wang, Dan; Cai, Gaozhe; Xiong, Yonghua; Li, Yuntao; Wang, Maohua; Huo, Huiling; Lin, Jianhan

    2016-12-15

    Early screening of pathogenic bacteria is a key to prevent and control of foodborne diseases. In this study, we developed a fast and sensitive bacteria detection method integrating electrochemical impedance analysis, urease catalysis with microfluidics and using Listeria as model. The Listeria cells, the anti-Listeria monoclonal antibodies modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and the anti-Listeria polyclonal antibodies and urease modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were incubated in a fluidic separation chip with active mixing to form the MNP-Listeria-AuNP-urease sandwich complexes. The complexes were captured in the separation chip by applying a high gradient magnetic field, and the urea was injected to resuspend the complexes and hydrolyzed under the catalysis of the urease on the complexes into ammonium ions and carbonate ions, which were transported into a microfluidic detection chip with an interdigitated microelectrode for impedance measurement to determine the amount of the Listeria cells. The capture efficiency of the Listeria cells in the separation chip was ∼93% with a shorter time of 30min due to the faster immuno-reaction using the active magnetic mixing. The changes on both impedance magnitude and phase angle were demonstrated to be able to detect the Listeria cells as low as 1.6×10(2)CFU/mL. The detection time was reduced from original ∼2h to current ∼1h. The recoveries of the spiked lettuce samples ranged from 82.1% to 89.6%, indicating the applicability of this proposed biosensor. This microfluidic impedance biosensor has shown the potential for online, automatic and sensitive bacteria separation and detection. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. E-cadherin-mediated force transduction signals regulate global cell mechanics

    PubMed Central

    Muhamed, Ismaeel; Wu, Jun; Sehgal, Poonam; Kong, Xinyu; Tajik, Arash; Wang, Ning

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT This report elucidates an E-cadherin-based force-transduction pathway that triggers changes in cell mechanics through a mechanism requiring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the downstream formation of new integrin adhesions. This mechanism operates in addition to local cytoskeletal remodeling triggered by conformational changes in the E-cadherin-associated protein α-catenin, at sites of mechanical perturbation. Studies using magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC), together with traction force microscopy (TFM) and confocal imaging identified force-activated E-cadherin-specific signals that integrate cadherin force transduction, integrin activation and cell contractility. EGFR is required for the downstream activation of PI3K and myosin-II-dependent cell stiffening. Our findings also demonstrated that α-catenin-dependent cytoskeletal remodeling at perturbed E-cadherin adhesions does not require cell stiffening. These results broaden the repertoire of E-cadherin-based force transduction mechanisms, and define the force-sensitive signaling network underlying the mechano-chemical integration of spatially segregated adhesion receptors. PMID:26966187

  2. Polymer mobility in cell walls of cucumber hypocotyls

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fenwick, K. M.; Apperley, D. C.; Cosgrove, D. J.; Jarvis, M. C.

    1999-01-01

    Cell walls were prepared from the growing region of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) hypocotyls and examined by solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy, in both enzymically active and inactivated states. The rigidity of individual polymer segments within the hydrated cell walls was assessed from the proton magnetic relaxation parameter, T2, and from the kinetics of cross-polarisation from 1H to 13C. The microfibrils, including most of the xyloglucan in the cell wall, as well as cellulose, behaved as very rigid solids. A minor xyloglucan fraction, which may correspond to cross-links between microfibrils, shared a lower level of rigidity with some of the pectic galacturonan. Other pectins, including most of the galactan side-chain residues of rhamnogalacturonan I, were much more mobile and behaved in a manner intermediate between the solid and liquid states. The only difference observed between the enzymically active and inactive cell walls, was the loss of a highly mobile, methyl-esterified galacturonan fraction, as the result of pectinesterase activity.

  3. Electrochemical Biosensor for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Magnetically Extracted Bacterial Pathogens

    PubMed Central

    Setterington, Emma B.; Alocilja, Evangelyn C.

    2012-01-01

    Biological defense and security applications demand rapid, sensitive detection of bacterial pathogens. This work presents a novel qualitative electrochemical detection technique which is applied to two representative bacterial pathogens, Bacillus cereus (as a surrogate for B. anthracis) and Escherichia coli O157:H7, resulting in detection limits of 40 CFU/mL and 6 CFU/mL, respectively, from pure culture. Cyclic voltammetry is combined with immunomagnetic separation in a rapid method requiring approximately 1 h for presumptive positive/negative results. An immunofunctionalized magnetic/polyaniline core/shell nano-particle (c/sNP) is employed to extract target cells from the sample solution and magnetically position them on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) sensor. The presence of target cells significantly inhibits current flow between the electrically active c/sNPs and SPCE. This method has the potential to be adapted for a wide variety of target organisms and sample matrices, and to become a fully portable system for routine monitoring or emergency detection of bacterial pathogens. PMID:25585629

  4. The development of magnetic degradable DP-Bioglass for hyperthermia cancer therapy.

    PubMed

    Wang, Tzu-Wei; Wu, Hsi-Chin; Wang, Wei-Ren; Lin, Feng-Huei; Lou, Pei-Jen; Shieh, Ming-Jium; Young, Tai-Horng

    2007-12-01

    In this study, a novel magnetic degradable material was developed by adding Fe ions into DP-Bioglass (Na(2)O-CaO-P(2)O(5)-SiO(2)) as thermoseed for hyperthermia cancer therapy under an alternating magnetic field. We have investigated the properties of developed magnetic DP-Bioglass including morphology, chemical composition, and magnetism. The degradability was conducted by measuring the released concentrations of Na, Ca, Si, P, and Fe ions. The biocompatibility was analyzed by biological assays, and the functional hyperthermia effect to cancer cells was evaluated by in vitro cell culture test. In the results, the morphology of synthesized magnetic DP-Bioglass was revealed in sphere and rod shape with particle size around 50-100 nm. From the hysteresis loop analysis, it showed that the group of Fe/Bioglass = 0.2 possessed the maximum magnetization property. When cultured with fibroblasts, the magnetic DP-Bioglass had no significant influence on cell viability and mediated low cytotoxicity. The thermal-induced property demonstrated that after exposure to an alternating magnetic field, the cell number of human Caucasian lung carcinoma cells (A549) was significantly decreased when temperature was increasing to 45 degrees C. In brief, successfully incorporated with Fe ions by sol-gel method, this magnetic degradable DP-Bioglass possessed the potential and properties of hyperthermia effect to lung carcinoma cells. Copyright 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Guided self-assembly of magnetic beads for biomedical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gusenbauer, Markus; Nguyen, Ha; Reichel, Franz; Exl, Lukas; Bance, Simon; Fischbacher, Johann; Özelt, Harald; Kovacs, Alexander; Brandl, Martin; Schrefl, Thomas

    2014-02-01

    Micromagnetic beads are widely used in biomedical applications for cell separation, drug delivery, and hyperthermia cancer treatment. Here we propose to use self-organized magnetic bead structures which accumulate on fixed magnetic seeding points to isolate circulating tumor cells. The analysis of circulating tumor cells is an emerging tool for cancer biology research and clinical cancer management including the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. Microfluidic chips for isolating circulating tumor cells use either affinity, size or density capturing methods. We combine multiphysics simulation techniques to understand the microscopic behavior of magnetic beads interacting with soft magnetic accumulation points used in lab-on-chip technologies. Our proposed chip technology offers the possibility to combine affinity and size capturing with special antibody-coated bead arrangements using a magnetic gradient field created by Neodymium Iron Boron permanent magnets. The multiscale simulation environment combines magnetic field computation, fluid dynamics and discrete particle dynamics.

  6. The effects of functional magnetic nanotubes with incorporated nerve growth factor in neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Jining; Chen, Linfeng; Varadan, Vijay K.; Yancey, Justin; Srivatsan, Malathi

    2008-03-01

    In this in vitro study the efficiency of magnetic nanotubes to bind with nerve growth factor (NGF) and the ability of NGF-incorporated magnetic nanotubes to release the bound NGF are investigated using rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells). It is found that functional magnetic nanotubes with NGF incorporation enabled the differentiation of PC12 cells into neurons exhibiting growth cones and neurite outgrowth. Microscope observations show that filopodia extending from neuron growth cones were in close proximity to the NGF-incorporated magnetic nanotubes, at times appearing to extend towards or into them. These results show that magnetic nanotubes can be used as a delivery vehicle for NGF and thus may be exploited in attempts to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease with neurotrophins. Further neurite outgrowth can be controlled by manipulating magnetic nanotubes with external magnetic fields, thus helping in directed regeneration.

  7. Magnetic 3D Cell Culturing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-07-11

    iss052e014201 (7/11/2017) --- NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson uses a microscope to view Magnetic 3D Biocells. This investigation uses magnetized cells and tools to make it easier to handle cells and cultures and to improve the reproducibility of experiments.

  8. Complimentary aspects of diffusion imaging and fMRI: II. Elucidating contributions to the fMRI signal with diffusion sensitization.

    PubMed

    Mulkern, Robert V; Haker, Steven J; Maier, Stephan E

    2007-07-01

    Tissue water molecules reside in different biophysical compartments. For example, water molecules in the vasculature reside for variable periods of time within arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venuoles and veins, and may be within blood cells or blood plasma. Water molecules outside of the vasculature, in the extravascular space, reside, for a time, either within cells or within the interstitial space between cells. Within these different compartments, different types of microscopic motion that water molecules may experience have been identified and discussed. These range from Brownian diffusion to more coherent flow over the time scales relevant to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiments, on the order of several 10s of milliseconds. How these different types of motion are reflected in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods developed for "diffusion" imaging studies has been an ongoing and active area of research. Here we briefly review the ideas that have developed regarding these motions within the context of modern "diffusion" imaging techniques and, in particular, how they have been accessed in attempts to further our understanding of the various contributions to the fMRI signal changes sought in studies of human brain activation.

  9. HER2 Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy with Switchable "Off/On" Multifunctional "Smart" Magnetic Polymer Core-Shell Nanocomposites.

    PubMed

    Vivek, Raju; Thangam, Ramar; Kumar, Selvaraj Rajesh; Rejeeth, Chandrababu; Kumar, Gopal Senthil; Sivasubramanian, Srinivasan; Vincent, Savariar; Gopi, Dhanaraj; Kannan, Soundarapandian

    2016-01-27

    Multifunctional magnetic polymer nanocombinations are gaining importance in cancer nanotheranostics due to their safety and their potential in delivering targeted functions. Herein, we report a novel multifunctional core-shell magnetic polymer therapeutic nanocomposites (NCs) exhibiting pH dependent "Off-On" release of drug against breast cancer cells. The NCs are intact in blood circulation ("Off" state), i.e., at physiological pH, whereas activated ("On" state) at intracellular acidic pH environment of the targeted breast cancer cells. The NCs are prepared by coating the cannonball (iron nanocore) with hydrophobic nanopockets of pH-responsive poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymer nanoshell that allows efficient loading of therapeutics. Further, the nanocore-polymer shell is stabilized by poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and functionalized with a targeting HER2 ligand. The prepared Her-Fe3O4@PLGA-PVP nanocomposites facilitate packing of anticancer drug (Tamoxifen) without premature release in the bloodstream, recognizing the target cells through binding of Herceptin antibody to HER2, a cell surface receptor expressed by breast cancer cells to promote HER2 receptor mediated endocytosis and finally releasing the drug at the intracellular site of tumor cells ("On" state) to induce apoptosis. The therapeutic efficiency of hemo/cytocompatible NCs drug delivery system (DDS) in terms of targeted delivery and sustained release of therapeutic agent against breast cancer cells was substantiated by in vitro and in vivo studies. The multifunctional properties of Her-Tam-Fe3O4@PLGA-PVP NCs may open up new avenues in cancer therapy through overcoming the limitations of conventional cancer therapy.

  10. Knockdown of microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 inhibits cell proliferation in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells

    PubMed Central

    Hu, Lifang; Su, Peihong; Li, Runzhi; Yan, Kun; Chen, Zhihao; Shang, Peng; Qian, Airong

    2015-01-01

    Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1), a widely expressed cytoskeletal linker, plays important roles in various cells by regulating cytoskeleton dynamics. However, its role in osteoblastic cells is not well understood. Based on our previous findings that the association of MACF1 with F-actin and microtubules in osteoblast-like cells was altered under magnetic force conditions, here, by adopting a stable MACF1-knockdown MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line, we found that MACF1 knockdown induced large cells with a binuclear/multinuclear structure. Further, immunofluorescence staining showed disorganization of F-actin and microtubules in MACF1-knockdown cells. Cell counting revealed significant decrease of cell proliferation and cell cycle analysis showed an S phase cell cycle arrest in MACF1-knockdown cells. Moreover and interestingly, MACF1 knockdown showed a potential effect on cellular MTT reduction activity and mitochondrial content, suggesting an impact on cellular metabolic activity. These results together indicate an important role of MACF1 in regulating osteoblastic cell morphology and function. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(10): 583-588] PMID:26277981

  11. Knockdown of microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 inhibits cell proliferation in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells.

    PubMed

    Hu, Lifang; Su, Peihong; Li, Runzhi; Yan, Kun; Chen, Zhihao; Shang, Peng; Qian, Airong

    2015-10-01

    Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1), a widely expressed cytoskeletal linker, plays important roles in various cells by regulating cytoskeleton dynamics. However, its role in osteoblastic cells is not well understood. Based on our previous findings that the association of MACF1 with F-actin and microtubules in osteoblast-like cells was altered under magnetic force conditions, here, by adopting a stable MACF1-knockdown MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cell line, we found that MACF1 knockdown induced large cells with a binuclear/multinuclear structure. Further, immunofluorescence staining showed disorganization of F-actin and microtubules in MACF1-knockdown cells. Cell counting revealed significant decrease of cell proliferation and cell cycle analysis showed an S phase cell cycle arrest in MACF1-knockdown cells. Moreover and interestingly, MACF1 knockdown showed a potential effect on cellular MTT reduction activity and mitochondrial content, suggesting an impact on cellular metabolic activity. These results together indicate an important role of MACF1 in regulating osteoblastic cell morphology and function.

  12. Magnetic nanoparticles enhance adenovirus transduction in vitro and in vivo.

    PubMed

    Sapet, Cédric; Pellegrino, Christophe; Laurent, Nicolas; Sicard, Flavie; Zelphati, Olivier

    2012-05-01

    Adenoviruses are among the most powerful gene delivery systems. Even if they present low potential for oncogenesis, there is still a need for minimizing widespread delivery to avoid deleterious reactions. In this study, we investigated Magnetofection efficiency to concentrate and guide vectors for an improved targeted delivery. Magnetic nanoparticles formulations were complexed to a replication defective Adenovirus and were used to transduce cells both in vitro and in vivo. A new integrated magnetic procedure for cell sorting and genetic modification (i-MICST) was also investigated. Magnetic nanoparticles enhanced viral transduction efficiency and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. They accelerated the transduction kinetics and allowed non-permissive cells infection. Magnetofection greatly improved adenovirus-mediated DNA delivery in vivo and provided a magnetic targeting. The i-MICST results established the efficiency of magnetic nanoparticles assisted viral transduction within cell sorting columns. The results showed that the combination of Magnetofection and Adenoviruses represents a promising strategy for gene therapy. Recently, a new integrated method to combine clinically approved magnetic cell isolation devices and genetic modification was developed. In this study, we validated that magnetic cell separation and adenoviral transduction can be accomplished in one reliable integrated and safe system.

  13. Passive, achromatic, nearly isochronous bending system

    DOEpatents

    Douglas, David R.; Yunn, Byung C.

    2004-05-18

    A particle beam bending system having a geometry that applies active bending only beyond the chord of the orbit for any momentum component. Using this bending configuration, all momentum components emerge dispersed in position only; all trajectories are parallel by construction. Combining a pair of such bends with reflective symmetry produces a bend cell that is, by construction, achromatic to all orders. By the particular choice of 45.degree. individual bends, a pair of such achromats can be used as the basis of a 180.degree. recirculation arc. Other rational fractions of a full 180.degree. bend serve equally well (e.g., 2 bends/cell.times.90.degree./bend.times.1 cell /arc; 2 bends/cell.times.30.degree./bend.times.3 cells/arc, etc), as do combinations of multiple bending numerologies (e.g., 2 bends/cell.times.22.5.degree./bend.times.2 cells+2 bends/cell.times.45.degree./bend.times.1 cell). By the choice of entry pole face rotation of the first magnet and exit pole face rotation of the second magnet (with a value to be determined from the particular beam stability requirements imposed by the choice of bending angle and beam properties to be used in any particular application), desirable focusing properties can be introduced and beam stability can be insured.

  14. Conical Magnetic Bearings Developed for Active Stall Control in Gas Turbine Engines

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Trudell, Jeffrey J.; Kascak, Albert F.; Provenza, Andrew J.; Buccieri, Carl J.

    2004-01-01

    Active stall control is a current research area at the NASA Glenn Research Center that offers a great benefit in specific fuel consumption by allowing the gas turbine to operate beyond the onset of stall. Magnetic bearings are being investigated as a new method to perform active stall control. This enabling global aviation safety technology would result in improved fuel efficiency and decreased carbon dioxide emissions, as well as improve safety and reliability by eliminating oil-related delays and failures of engine components, which account for 40 percent of the commercial aircraft departure delays. Active stall control works by perturbing the flow in front of the compressor stage such that it cancels the pressure wave, which causes the compressor to go into stall. Radial magnetic bearings are able to whirl the shaft so that variations in blade tip leakage would flow upstream causing a perturbation wave that could cancel the rotating stall cell. Axial or thrust magnetic bearings cannot be used to cancel the surge mode in the compressor because they have a very low bandwidth and thus cannot modulate at a high enough frequency. Frequency response is limited because the thrust runner cannot be laminated. To improve the bandwidth of magnetic thrust bearings, researchers must use laminations to suppress the eddy currents. A conical magnetic bearing can be laminated, resulting in increased bandwidth in the axial direction. In addition, this design can produce both radial and thrust force in a single bearing, simplifying the installation. The proposed solution combines the radial and thrust bearing into one design that can be laminated--a conical magnetic bearing. The new conical magnetic bearing test rig, funded by a Glenn fiscal year 2002 Director's Discretionary Fund, was needed because none of the existing rigs has an axial degree of freedom. The rotor bearing configuration will simulate that of the main shaft on a gas turbine engine. One conical magnetic bearing replaces the ball bearing in front of the compressor, and the second replaces the roller bearing behind the burner. The rig was made operational to 10,000 rpm under Smart Efficient Components funding, and both position and current adaptive vibration control have been demonstrated. Upon program completion, recommendations will be made as to the efficacy of the conical magnetic bearing for active stall control.

  15. Magnetic nanoparticles-loaded Physarum polycephalum: Directed growth and particles distribution.

    PubMed

    Dimonte, Alice; Cifarelli, Angelica; Berzina, Tatiana; Chiesi, Valentina; Ferro, Patrizia; Besagni, Tullo; Albertini, Franca; Adamatzky, Andrew; Erokhin, Victor

    2014-11-06

    Slime mold Physarum polycephalum is a single cell visible by an unaided eye. The slime mold optimizes its network of protoplasmic tubes to minimize expose to repellents and maximize expose to attractants and to make efficient transportation of nutrients. These properties of P. polycephalum, together with simplicity of its handling and culturing, make it a priceless substrate for designing novel sensing, computing and actuating architectures in living amorphous biological substrate. We demonstrate that, by loading Physarum with magnetic particles and positioning it in a magnetic field, we can, in principle, impose analog control procedures to precisely route active growing zones of slime mold and shape topology of its protoplasmic networks.

  16. Magnetic Nanoparticles-Loaded Physarum polycephalum: Directed Growth and Particles Distribution.

    PubMed

    Dimonte, Alice; Cifarelli, Angelica; Berzina, Tatiana; Chiesi, Valentina; Ferro, Patrizia; Besagni, Tullo; Albertini, Franca; Adamatzky, Andrew; Erokhin, Victor

    2015-12-01

    Slime mold Physarum polycephalum is a single cell visible by an unaided eye. The slime mold optimizes its network of protoplasmic tubes to minimize expose to repellents and maximize expose to attractants and to make efficient transportation of nutrients. These properties of P. polycephalum, together with simplicity of its handling and culturing, make it a priceless substrate for designing novel sensing, computing and actuating architectures in living amorphous biological substrate. We demonstrate that, by loading Physarum with magnetic particles and positioning it in a magnetic field, we can, in principle, impose analog control procedures to precisely route active growing zones of slime mold and shape topology of its protoplasmic networks.

  17. Reduction of the Earth's magnetic field inhibits growth rates of model cancer cell lines.

    PubMed

    Martino, Carlos F; Portelli, Lucas; McCabe, Kevin; Hernandez, Mark; Barnes, Frank

    2010-12-01

    Small alterations in static magnetic fields have been shown to affect certain chemical reaction rates ex vivo. In this manuscript, we present data demonstrating that similar small changes in static magnetic fields between individual cell culture incubators results in significantly altered cell cycle rates for multiple cancer-derived cell lines. This change as assessed by cell number is not a result of apoptosis, necrosis, or cell cycle alterations. While the underlying mechanism is unclear, the implications for all cell culture experiments are clear; static magnetic field conditions within incubators must be considered and/or controlled just as one does for temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration. Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  18. Directed Assembly of Cells with Magnetic Nanowires

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanase, M.; Hultgren, A.; Chen, C. S.; Reich, D. H.

    2003-03-01

    We demonstrate the use of magnetic nanowires for assembly and manipulation of mammalian cells. Currently, superparamagnetic beads are used for manipulations of cells, but large field strengths and gradients are required for these to be effective. Unlike the beads, the large remnant magnetization of the nanowires offers the prospect of a variety of low-field manipulation techniques. Ferromagnetic nanowires suspended in fluids can be easily manipulated and assembled using small magnetic field [1]. The wires can be bound to cells, and the dipolar interaction between the nanowires can be used to create self-assembled cell chains. Microfabricated arrays of Py magnets were used to trap single cells or chains of cells bound to Ni nanowires. Possible applications of these techniques include controlled initiation of cell cultures, as well as isolation of individual cells. This work was supported by DARPA/AFOSR Grant No. F49620-02-1-0307 and by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation Grant No. 2001-17715. [1] M. Tanase et.al., Nanoletters 1, 155 (2001), J. Appl. Phys. 91, 8549 (2002).

  19. Detection and quantification of subtle changes in red blood cell density using a cell phone.

    PubMed

    Felton, Edward J; Velasquez, Anthony; Lu, Shulin; Murphy, Ryann O; ElKhal, Abdala; Mazor, Ofer; Gorelik, Pavel; Sharda, Anish; Ghiran, Ionita C

    2016-08-16

    Magnetic levitation has emerged as a technique that offers the ability to differentiate between cells with different densities. We have developed a magnetic levitation system for this purpose that distinguishes not only different cell types but also density differences in cells of the same type. This small-scale system suspends cells in a paramagnetic medium in a capillary placed between two rare earth magnets, and cells levitate to an equilibrium position determined solely by their density. Uniform reference beads of known density are used in conjunction with the cells as a means to quantify their levitation positions. In one implementation images of the levitating cells are acquired with a microscope, but here we also introduce a cell phone-based device that integrates the magnets, capillary, and a lens into a compact and portable unit that acquires images with the phone's camera. To demonstrate the effectiveness of magnetic levitation in cell density analysis we carried out levitation experiments using red blood cells with artificially altered densities, and also levitated those from donors. We observed that we can distinguish red blood cells of an anemic donor from those that are healthy. Since a plethora of disease states are characterized by changes in cell density magnetic cell levitation promises to be an effective tool in identifying and analyzing pathologic states. Furthermore, the low cost, portability, and ease of use of the cell phone-based system may potentially lead to its deployment in low-resource environments.

  20. Static magnetic fields promote osteoblastic/cementoblastic differentiation in osteoblasts, cementoblasts, and periodontal ligament cells

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    Purpose Although static magnetic fields (SMFs) have been used in dental prostheses and osseointegrated implants, their biological effects on osteoblastic and cementoblastic differentiation in cells involved in periodontal regeneration remain unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of SMFs (15 mT) on the osteoblastic and cementoblastic differentiation of human osteoblasts, periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs), and cementoblasts, and to explore the possible mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods Differentiation was evaluated by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralized nodule formation based on Alizarin red staining, calcium content, and the expression of marker mRNAs assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Signaling pathways were analyzed by western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Results The activities of the early marker ALP and the late markers matrix mineralization and calcium content, as well as osteoblast- and cementoblast-specific gene expression in osteoblasts, PDLCs, and cementoblasts were enhanced. SMFs upregulated the expression of Wnt proteins, and increased the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and total β-catenin protein expression. Furthermore, p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways were activated. Conclusions SMF treatment enhanced osteoblastic and/or cementoblastic differentiation in osteoblasts, cementoblasts, and PDLCs. These findings provide a molecular basis for the beneficial osteogenic and/or cementogenic effect of SMFs, which could have potential in stimulating bone or cementum formation during bone regeneration and in patients with periodontal disease. PMID:29093986

  1. Magnetic Levitation of MC3T3 Osteoblast Cells as a Ground-Based Simulation of Microgravity

    PubMed Central

    Kidder, Louis S.; Williams, Philip C.; Xu, Wayne Wenzhong

    2009-01-01

    Diamagnetic samples placed in a strong magnetic field and a magnetic field gradient experience a magnetic force. Stable magnetic levitation occurs when the magnetic force exactly counter balances the gravitational force. Under this condition, a diamagnetic sample is in a simulated microgravity environment. The purpose of this study is to explore if MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells can be grown in magnetically simulated hypo-g and hyper-g environments and determine if gene expression is differentially expressed under these conditions. The murine calvarial osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1, grown on Cytodex-3 beads, were subjected to a net gravitational force of 0, 1 and 2 g in a 17 T superconducting magnet for 2 days. Microarray analysis of these cells indicated that gravitational stress leads to up and down regulation of hundreds of genes. The methodology of sustaining long-term magnetic levitation of biological systems are discussed. PMID:20052306

  2. Imaging Prostate Cancer (PCa) Phenotype and Evolution

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-10-01

    inhibit growth of some but not all cell lines. 2. Keywords: Deferiprone, aconitase, metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle , magnetic resonance 3...TRAMP C2 and MycCaP cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness. Determine if knockdown of m-acon and Deferiprone inhibit TCA cycle activity...migration and inhibits TCA cycle (metabolism). Similarly in vivo (Aim 2), we 6 Fig. 2: Effect of DFP on in vivo growth of MycCaP (left) and TRAMP C2

  3. Poly-l-lysine-coated magnetic nanoparticles as intracellular actuators for neural guidance

    PubMed Central

    Riggio, Cristina; Calatayud, Maria Pilar; Hoskins, Clare; Pinkernelle, Josephine; Sanz, Beatriz; Torres, Teobaldo Enrique; Ibarra, Manuel Ricardo; Wang, Lijun; Keilhoff, Gerburg; Goya, Gerardo Fabian; Raffa, Vittoria; Cuschieri, Alfred

    2012-01-01

    Purpose It has been proposed in the literature that Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) could be exploited to enhance or accelerate nerve regeneration and to provide guidance for regenerating axons. MNPs could create mechanical tension that stimulates the growth and elongation of axons. Particles suitable for this purpose should possess (1) high saturation magnetization, (2) a negligible cytotoxic profile, and (3) a high capacity to magnetize mammalian cells. Unfortunately, the materials currently available on the market do not satisfy these criteria; therefore, this work attempts to overcome these deficiencies. Methods Magnetite particles were synthesized by an oxidative hydrolysis method and characterized based on their external morphology and size distribution (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy [HR-TEM]) as well as their colloidal (Z potential) and magnetic properties (Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices [SQUID]). Cell viability was assessed via Trypan blue dye exclusion assay, cell doubling time, and MTT cell proliferation assay and reactive oxygen species production. Particle uptake was monitored via Prussian blue staining, intracellular iron content quantification via a ferrozine-based assay, and direct visualization by dual-beam (focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy [FIB/SEM]) analysis. Experiments were performed on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line and primary Schwann cell cultures of the peripheral nervous system. Results This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of polymer-coated magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles with an average diameter of 73 ± 6 nm that are designed as magnetic actuators for neural guidance. The cells were able to incorporate quantities of iron up to 2 pg/cell. The intracellular distribution of MNPs obtained by optical and electronic microscopy showed large structures of MNPs crossing the cell membrane into the cytoplasm, thus rendering them suitable for magnetic manipulation by external magnetic fields. Specifically, migration experiments under external magnetic fields confirmed that these MNPs can effectively actuate the cells, thus inducing measurable migration towards predefined directions more effectively than commercial nanoparticles (fluidMAG-ARA supplied by Chemicell). There were no observable toxic effects from MNPs on cell viability for working concentrations of 10 μg/mL (EC25 of 20.8 μg/mL, compared to 12 μg/mL in fluidMAG-ARA). Cell proliferation assays performed with primary cell cultures of the peripheral nervous system confirmed moderate cytotoxicity (EC25 of 10.35 μg/mL). Conclusion These results indicate that loading neural cells with the proposed MNPs is likely to be an effective strategy for promoting non-invasive neural regeneration through cell magnetic actuation. PMID:22811603

  4. Poly-l-lysine-coated magnetic nanoparticles as intracellular actuators for neural guidance.

    PubMed

    Riggio, Cristina; Calatayud, Maria Pilar; Hoskins, Clare; Pinkernelle, Josephine; Sanz, Beatriz; Torres, Teobaldo Enrique; Ibarra, Manuel Ricardo; Wang, Lijun; Keilhoff, Gerburg; Goya, Gerardo Fabian; Raffa, Vittoria; Cuschieri, Alfred

    2012-01-01

    It has been proposed in the literature that Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) could be exploited to enhance or accelerate nerve regeneration and to provide guidance for regenerating axons. MNPs could create mechanical tension that stimulates the growth and elongation of axons. Particles suitable for this purpose should possess (1) high saturation magnetization, (2) a negligible cytotoxic profile, and (3) a high capacity to magnetize mammalian cells. Unfortunately, the materials currently available on the market do not satisfy these criteria; therefore, this work attempts to overcome these deficiencies. Magnetite particles were synthesized by an oxidative hydrolysis method and characterized based on their external morphology and size distribution (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy [HR-TEM]) as well as their colloidal (Z potential) and magnetic properties (Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices [SQUID]). Cell viability was assessed via Trypan blue dye exclusion assay, cell doubling time, and MTT cell proliferation assay and reactive oxygen species production. Particle uptake was monitored via Prussian blue staining, intracellular iron content quantification via a ferrozine-based assay, and direct visualization by dual-beam (focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy [FIB/SEM]) analysis. Experiments were performed on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line and primary Schwann cell cultures of the peripheral nervous system. This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of polymer-coated magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 73 ± 6 nm that are designed as magnetic actuators for neural guidance. The cells were able to incorporate quantities of iron up to 2 pg/cell. The intracellular distribution of MNPs obtained by optical and electronic microscopy showed large structures of MNPs crossing the cell membrane into the cytoplasm, thus rendering them suitable for magnetic manipulation by external magnetic fields. Specifically, migration experiments under external magnetic fields confirmed that these MNPs can effectively actuate the cells, thus inducing measurable migration towards predefined directions more effectively than commercial nanoparticles (fluidMAG-ARA supplied by Chemicell). There were no observable toxic effects from MNPs on cell viability for working concentrations of 10 μg/mL (EC(25) of 20.8 μg/mL, compared to 12 μg/mL in fluidMAG-ARA). Cell proliferation assays performed with primary cell cultures of the peripheral nervous system confirmed moderate cytotoxicity (EC(25) of 10.35 μg/mL). These results indicate that loading neural cells with the proposed MNPs is likely to be an effective strategy for promoting non-invasive neural regeneration through cell magnetic actuation.

  5. Application of a Halbach magnetic array for long-range cell and particle separations in biological samples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kang, Joo H.; Driscoll, Harry; Super, Michael; Ingber, Donald E.

    2016-05-01

    Here, we describe a versatile application of a planar Halbach permanent magnet array for an efficient long-range magnetic separation of living cells and microparticles over distances up to 30 mm. A Halbach array was constructed from rectangular bar magnets using 3D-printed holders and compared to a conventional alternating array of identical magnets. We theoretically predicted the superiority of the Halbach array for a long-range magnetic separation and then experimentally validated that the Halbach configuration outperforms the alternating array for isolating magnetic microparticles or microparticle-bound bacterial cells at longer distances. Magnetophoretic velocities (ymag) of magnetic particles (7.9 μm diameter) induced by the Halbach array in a microfluidic device were significantly higher and extended over a larger area than those induced by the alternating magnet array (ymag = 178 versus 0 μm/s at 10 mm, respectively). When applied to 50 ml tubes (˜30 mm diameter), the Halbach array removed >95% of Staphylococcus aureus bacterial cells bound with 1 μm magnetic particles compared to ˜70% removed using the alternating array. In addition, the Halbach array enabled manipulation of 1 μm magnetic beads in a deep 96-well plate for ELISA applications, which was not possible with the conventional magnet arrays. Our analysis demonstrates the utility of the Halbach array for the future design of devices for high-throughput magnetic separations of cells, molecules, and toxins.

  6. A Comparison of Methods to Measure the Magnetic Moment of Magnetotactic Bacteria through Analysis of Their Trajectories in External Magnetic Fields

    PubMed Central

    Fradin, Cécile

    2013-01-01

    Magnetotactic bacteria possess organelles called magnetosomes that confer a magnetic moment on the cells, resulting in their partial alignment with external magnetic fields. Here we show that analysis of the trajectories of cells exposed to an external magnetic field can be used to measure the average magnetic dipole moment of a cell population in at least five different ways. We apply this analysis to movies of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 cells, and compare the values of the magnetic moment obtained in this way to that obtained by direct measurements of magnetosome dimension from electron micrographs. We find that methods relying on the viscous relaxation of the cell orientation give results comparable to that obtained by magnetosome measurements, whereas methods relying on statistical mechanics assumptions give systematically lower values of the magnetic moment. Since the observed distribution of magnetic moments in the population is not sufficient to explain this discrepancy, our results suggest that non-thermal random noise is present in the system, implying that a magnetotactic bacterial population should not be considered as similar to a paramagnetic material. PMID:24349185

  7. A 3D magnetic tissue stretcher for remote mechanical control of embryonic stem cell differentiation.

    PubMed

    Du, Vicard; Luciani, Nathalie; Richard, Sophie; Mary, Gaëtan; Gay, Cyprien; Mazuel, François; Reffay, Myriam; Menasché, Philippe; Agbulut, Onnik; Wilhelm, Claire

    2017-09-12

    The ability to create a 3D tissue structure from individual cells and then to stimulate it at will is a major goal for both the biophysics and regenerative medicine communities. Here we show an integrated set of magnetic techniques that meet this challenge using embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We assessed the impact of magnetic nanoparticles internalization on ESCs viability, proliferation, pluripotency and differentiation profiles. We developed magnetic attractors capable of aggregating the cells remotely into a 3D embryoid body. This magnetic approach to embryoid body formation has no discernible impact on ESC differentiation pathways, as compared to the hanging drop method. It is also the base of the final magnetic device, composed of opposing magnetic attractors in order to form embryoid bodies in situ, then stretch them, and mechanically stimulate them at will. These stretched and cyclic purely mechanical stimulations were sufficient to drive ESCs differentiation towards the mesodermal cardiac pathway.The development of embryoid bodies that are responsive to external stimuli is of great interest in tissue engineering. Here, the authors culture embryonic stem cells with magnetic nanoparticles and show that the presence of magnetic fields could affect their aggregation and differentiation.

  8. In situ single cell detection via microfluidic magnetic bead assay.

    PubMed

    Liu, Fan; Kc, Pawan; Zhang, Ge; Zhe, Jiang

    2017-01-01

    We present a single cell detection device based on magnetic bead assay and micro Coulter counters. This device consists of two successive micro Coulter counters, coupled with a high gradient magnetic field generated by an external magnet. The device can identify single cells in terms of the transit time difference of the cell through the two micro Coulter counters. Target cells are conjugated with magnetic beads via specific antibody and antigen binding. A target cell traveling through the two Coulter counters interacts with the magnetic field, and have a longer transit time at the 1st counter than that at the 2nd counter. In comparison, a non-target cell has no interaction with the magnetic field, and hence has nearly the same transit times through the two counters. Each cell passing through the two counters generates two consecutive voltage pulses one after the other; the pulse widths and magnitudes indicating the cell's transit times through the counters and the cell's size respectively. Thus, by measuring the pulse widths (transit times) of each cell through the two counters, each single target cell can be differentiated from non-target cells even if they have similar sizes. We experimentally proved that the target human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and non-target rat adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) have significant different transit time distribution, from which we can determine the recognition regions for both cell groups quantitatively. We further demonstrated that within a mixed cell population of rASCs and HUVECs, HUVECs can be detected in situ and the measured HUVECs ratios agree well with the pre-set ratios. With the simple device structure and easy sample preparation, this method is expected to enable single cell detection in a continuous flow and can be applied to facilitate general cell detection applications such as stem cell identification and enumeration.

  9. Isolation and mutational analysis of circulating tumor cells from lung cancer patients with magnetic sifters and biochips†

    PubMed Central

    Earhart, Christopher M.; Hughes, Casey E.; Gaster, Richard S.; Ooi, Chin Chun; Wilson, Robert J.; Zhou, Lisa Y.; Humke, Eric W.; Xu, Lingyun; Wong, Dawson J.; Willingham, Stephen B.; Schwartz, Erich J.; Weissman, Irving L.; Jeffrey, Stefanie S.; Neal, Joel W.; Rohatgi, Rajat; Wakelee, Heather A.; Wang, Shan X.

    2014-01-01

    Detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may reveal insights into the diagnosis and treatment of malignant disease. Technologies for isolating CTCs developed thus far suffer from one or more limitations, such as low throughput, inability to release captured cells, and reliance on expensive instrumentation for enrichment or subsequent characterization. We report a continuing development of a magnetic separation device, the magnetic sifter, which is a miniature microfluidic chip with a dense array of magnetic pores. It offers high efficiency capture of tumor cells, labeled with magnetic nanoparticles, from whole blood with high throughput and efficient release of captured cells. For subsequent characterization of CTCs, an assay, using a protein chip with giant magnetoresistive nanosensors, has been implemented for mutational analysis of CTCs enriched with the magnetic sifter. The use of these magnetic technologies, which are separate devices, may lead the way to routine preparation and characterization of “liquid biopsies” from cancer patients. PMID:23969419

  10. Design and development of a magnetic device for mesenchymal stem cell retaining in deep targets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Banis, G. C.

    2017-12-01

    This paper focuses on the retaining of mesenchymal stem cells in blood flow conditions using the appropriate magnetic field. Mesenchymal stem cells can be tagged with magnetic nanoparticles and thus, they can be manipulated from distance, through the application of an external magnetic field. In this paper the case of kidney as target of the therapy is being studied.

  11. Separation of human CD4+CD39+ T cells by magnetic beads reveals two phenotypically and functionally different subsets

    PubMed Central

    Schuler, Patrick J.; Harasymczuk, Malgorzata; Schilling, Bastian; Lang, Stephan; Whiteside, Theresa L.

    2011-01-01

    Objective The ectonucleotidase CD39 is an enzyme involved in adenosine production. Its surface expression on human regulatory T cells (Treg) allows for their flow-cytometry-based isolation from peripheral blood. To further develop and improve this method on a scale supporting translational studies, we introduced capture of CD39+ Treg on magnetic immunobeads. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from healthy donors were used for negative selection of CD4+ T cells on AutoMACS using antibodies (Abs) specific for all lineage+ cells. CD4+CD39+ Treg were captured by biotin-conjugated anti-CD39 Abs and anti-biotin Ab-coated magnetic beads. Isolated CD4+CD39+ T cells were phenotyped by flow cytometry for Treg-associated markers: CD39, CD73, FOXP3, CD25, CTLA-4, CCR4, CD45RO and CD121a or for the absence of CD127 and CD49d. CFSE-based proliferation assays and ATP hydrolysis were used to measure Treg functions. Results The purity, recovery and viability of the separated CD4+CD39+ T cells were satisfactory. The isolated CD4+CD39+ T cell population consisted of FOXP3+CD25+ T cells which hydrolyzed exogenous ATP and suppressed autologous CD4+ T cell proliferation and of FOXP3negCD25neg T cells without suppressor function. The same two subsets were detectable by flow cytometry in normal PBMC, gating on CD4+CD39+, CD4+CD127neg, CD4+CD49dneg or CD4+CD25high Treg. Conclusion CD4+CD39+ Treg capture on immunobeads led to a discovery of two CD39+ subsets. Similar to CD39+ Treg in the peripheral blood, half of these cells are CD25+FOXP3+ active suppressor cells, while the other half are CD25negFOXP3neg and do not mediate suppression. PMID:21513715

  12. Magnetically controllable 3D microtissues based on magnetic microcryogels.

    PubMed

    Liu, Wei; Li, Yaqian; Feng, Siyu; Ning, Jia; Wang, Jingyu; Gou, Maling; Chen, Huijun; Xu, Feng; Du, Yanan

    2014-08-07

    Microtissues on the scale of several hundred microns are a promising cell culture configuration resembling the functional tissue units in vivo. In contrast to conventional cell culture, handling of microtissues poses new challenges such as medium exchange, purification and maintenance of the microtissue integrity. Here, we developed magnetic microcryogels to assist microtissue formation with enhanced controllability and robustness. The magnetic microcryogels were fabricated on-chip by cryogelation and micro-molding which could endure extensive external forces such as fluidic shear stress during pipetting and syringe injection. The magnetically controllable microtissues were applied to constitute a novel separable 3D co-culture system realizing functional enhancement of the hepatic microtissues co-cultured with the stromal microtissues and easy purification of the hepatic microtissues for downstream drug testing. The magnetically controllable microtissues with pre-defined shapes were also applied as building blocks to accelerate the tissue assembly process under magnetic force for bottom-up tissue engineering. Finally, the magnetic microcryogels could be injected in vivo as cell delivery vehicles and tracked by MRI. The injectable magnetic microtissues maintained viability at the injection site indicating good retention and potential applications for cell therapy. The magnetic microcryogels are expected to significantly promote the microtissues as a promising cellular configuration for cell-based applications such as in drug testing, tissue engineering and regenerative therapy.

  13. A magnetic-dependent protein corona of tailor-made superparamagnetic iron oxides alters their biological behaviors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Ziyao; Zhan, Xiaohui; Yang, Minggang; Yang, Qi; Xu, Xianghui; Lan, Fang; Wu, Yao; Gu, Zhongwei

    2016-03-01

    In recent years, it is becoming increasingly evident that once nanoparticles come into contact with biological fluids, a protein corona surely forms and critically affects the biological behaviors of nanoparticles. Herein, we investigate whether the formation of protein corona on the surface of superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIOs) is influenced by static magnetic field. Under static magnetic field, there is no obvious variation in the total amount of protein adsorption, but the proportion of adsorbed proteins significantly changes. Noticeably, certain proteins including apolipoproteins, complement system proteins and acute phase proteins, increase in the protein corona of SPIOs in the magnetic field. More importantly, the magnetic-dependent protein corona of SPIOs enhances the cellular uptake of SPIOs into the normal cell line (3T3 cells) and tumor cell line (HepG2 cells), due to increased adsorption of apolipoprotein. In addition, SPIOs with the magnetic-dependent protein corona cause high cytotoxicity to 3T3 cells and HepG2 cells. This work discloses that superparamagnetism as a key feature of SPIOs affects the composition of protein corona to a large extent, which further alters the biological behaviors of SPIOs.In recent years, it is becoming increasingly evident that once nanoparticles come into contact with biological fluids, a protein corona surely forms and critically affects the biological behaviors of nanoparticles. Herein, we investigate whether the formation of protein corona on the surface of superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIOs) is influenced by static magnetic field. Under static magnetic field, there is no obvious variation in the total amount of protein adsorption, but the proportion of adsorbed proteins significantly changes. Noticeably, certain proteins including apolipoproteins, complement system proteins and acute phase proteins, increase in the protein corona of SPIOs in the magnetic field. More importantly, the magnetic-dependent protein corona of SPIOs enhances the cellular uptake of SPIOs into the normal cell line (3T3 cells) and tumor cell line (HepG2 cells), due to increased adsorption of apolipoprotein. In addition, SPIOs with the magnetic-dependent protein corona cause high cytotoxicity to 3T3 cells and HepG2 cells. This work discloses that superparamagnetism as a key feature of SPIOs affects the composition of protein corona to a large extent, which further alters the biological behaviors of SPIOs. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08447d

  14. Acute and chronic effects of exposure to a 1-mT magnetic field on the cytoskeleton, stress proteins, and proliferation of astroglial cells in culture

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bodega, G.; Forcada, I.; Suarez, I.

    This paper reports the effects of exposure to static, sinusoidal (50 Hz), and combined static/sinusoidal magnetic fields on cultured astroglial cells. Confluent primary cultures of astroglial cells were exposed to a 1-mT sinusoidal, static, or combined magnetic field for 1 h. In another experiment, cells were exposed to the combined magnetic field for 1, 2, and 4 h. The hsp25, hsp60, hsp70, actin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein contents of the astroglial cells were determined by immunoblotting 24 h after exposure. No significant differences were seen between control and exposed cells with respect to their contents of these proteins, neithermore » were any changes in cell morphology observed. In a third experiment to determine the effect of a chronic (11-day) exposure to a combined 1-mT static/sinusoidal magnetic field on the proliferation of cultured astroglial cells, no significant differences were seen between control, sham-exposed, or exposed cells. These results suggest that exposure to 1-mT sinusoidal, static, or combined magnetic fields has no significant effects on the stress, cytoskeletal protein levels in, or proliferation of cultured astroglial cells.« less

  15. [First attempts of detecting fetal cells in the maternal circulation].

    PubMed

    Nagy, Gyula Richárd; Bán, Zoltán; Sipos, Ferenc; Fent, János; Oroszné Nagy, Judit; Beke, Artúr; Furész, József; Papp, Zoltán

    2004-10-31

    In prenatal diagnosis there is great interest for noninvasive diagnostic methods. Authors report their first results in detecting fetal cells in the maternal circulation during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to detect fetal gender from maternal peripheral blood samples during pregnancy. Authors have analysed fetal nucleated red blood cells. In 12 cases after a double density Percoll gradient separation they labelled the surface antigens of the cells with anti-glycophorin-A and anti-CD45 fluorescent antibodies, did an intracellular staining of the epsilon haemoglobin chain, and analysed the cells with flow cytometry. The CD45 negative/glycophorin-A positive/epsilon-haemoglobin chain positive cells were considered as fetal cells. Having the results, in another 13 cases magnetic activated cell sorting with CD71 antibody were used as an enrichment step. Authors made an intracellular staining of the epsilon haemoglobin chain, the positive cells were isolated by micromanipulation, and analysed by single cell fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. Primers for the amelogenin gene were used to detect fetal gender. Only the Percoll enrichment step itself is not enough for using the samples for diagnostic molecular-biologic examinations, a following enrichment step is needed. For this the authors used magnetic activated cell sorting with CD71 antibody. With the help of this enrichment step, after the intracellular staining of the epsilon haemoglobin chain the direct micromanipulator isolation of the epsilon haemoglobin chain positive cells could be done. After analysing single cells by fluorescent polymerase chain reaction, in 8 out of the 11 comparable cases the results were similar to those, what was found during the genetic amniocentesis. In 2 cases from this 8, genetic amniocentesis proved Klinefelter syndrome, which they could also confirm with the examination of fetal cells in the maternal circulation. The results of the study suggest that the method described above can be useful in prenatal genetic diagnosis, and improving it could be useful to detect other genetic abnormalities (chromosomal abnormalities, single gene disorders) as well.

  16. Active ester functional single core magnetic nanostructures as a versatile immobilization matrix for effective bioseparation and catalysis.

    PubMed

    Gelbrich, Thorsten; Reinartz, Michael; Schmidt, Annette M

    2010-03-08

    Multifunctional nanocarriers for amino functional targets with a high density of accessible binding sites are obtained in a single polymerization step by grafting from copolymerization of an active ester monomer from superparamagnetic cores. As a result of the brush-like structure of the highly dispersed shell, the nano-objects exhibit an available capture capacity for amines that is found to be up to 2 orders of magnitude higher than for commercial magnetic beads, and the functional brush shell can serve as a template for many types of pendant functional groups and molecules. As comonomer, oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate allows for excellent water solubility at room temperature, biocompatibility, and thermoflocculation. We demonstrate the biorelated applicability of the hybrid nanoparticles by two different approaches. In the first approach, the immobilization of trypsin to the core-shell nanoparticles results in highly active, nanoparticulate biocatalysts that can easily be separated magnetically. Second, we demonstrate that the obtained nanoparticles are suitable for the effective labeling of cell membranes, opening a novel pathway for the easy and effective isolation of membrane proteins.

  17. Preparation of folic acid conjugated hematite nanoparticles using high energy ball milling for biomedical applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sahu, Dwipak Prasad; Jammalamadaka, S. Narayana

    2018-04-01

    The controlled release and targeted delivery of drug to tumour sites using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for the treatment of cancer & other ailments is current focus of research. Here we describe our efforts in functionalization of hematite nanoparticles α-Fe2O3 with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and activation with Folic Acid (FA) (ligand) using a high energy ball milling process. An extra peak at 48.3° in XRD hints an encapsulation of polyethylene glycol on α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs). The decrease in the intensity of absorption spectra peaks in UV - Vis NIR spectrum pertinent to activated α-Fe2O3 NPs indicate indeed there is a conjugation of folic acid on top of PEG. Thermo-gravimetric analysis shows 5% weight loss for the activated α-Fe2O3 NPs due to desorption of chemi-adsorbed PEG from NPs and its further decomposition. Magnetization measurements indicates indeed the coercivity persists even after activating the NPs with FA. We believe presence of coercivity in MNPs can be exploited in magnetic hyperthermia treatment of cancer cell by applying suitable amount of field at the targeted site.

  18. Effect of horizontal strong static magnetic field on swimming behaviour of Paramecium caudatum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujiwara, Yoshihisa; Tomishige, Masahiko; Itoh, Yasuhiro; Fujiwara, Masao; Shibata, Naho; Kosaka, Toshikazu; Hosoya, Hiroshi; Tanimoto, Yoshifumi

    2006-05-01

    Effect of horizontal strong static magnetic field on swimming behaviour of Paramecium caudatum was studied by using a superconducting magnet. Around a centre of a round vessel, random swimming at 0 T and aligned swimming parallel to the magnetic field (MF) of 8 T were observed. Near a wall of the vessel, however, swimming round and round along the wall at 0 T and aligned swimming of turning at right angles upon collision with the wall, which was remarkable around 1-4 T, were detected. It was experimentally revealed that the former MF-induced parallel swimming at the vessel centre was caused physicochemically by the parallel magnetic orientation of the cell itself. From magnetic field dependence of the extent of the orientation, the magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (χ ∥-χ ⊥) was first obtained to be 3.4× 10-23 emu cell-1 at 298 K for Paramecium caudatum. The orientation of the cell was considered to result from the magnetic orientation of the cell membrane. On the other hand, although mechanisms of the latter swimming near the vessel wall regardless of the absence and presence of the magnetic field are unclear at present, these experimental results indicate that whether the cell exists near the wall alters the magnetic field effect on the swimming in the horizontal magnetic field.

  19. Influence on cell death of high frequency motion of magnetic nanoparticles during magnetic hyperthermia experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hallali, N.; Clerc, P.; Fourmy, D.; Gigoux, V.; Carrey, J.

    2016-07-01

    Studies with transplanted tumors in animals and clinical trials have provided the proof-of-concept of magnetic hyperthermia (MH) therapy of cancers using iron oxide nanoparticles. Interestingly, in several studies, the application of an alternating magnetic field (AMF) to tumor cells having internalized and accumulated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into their lysosomes can induce cell death without detectable temperature increase. To explain these results, among other hypotheses, it was proposed that cell death could be due to the high-frequency translational motion of MNPs under the influence of the AMF gradient generated involuntarily by most inductors. Such mechanical actions of MNPs might cause cellular damages and participate in the induction of cell death under MH conditions. To test this hypothesis, we developed a setup maximizing this effect. It is composed of an anti-Helmholtz coil and two permanent magnets, which produce an AMF gradient and a superimposed static MF. We have measured the MNP heating power and treated tumor cells by a standard AMF and by an AMF gradient, on which was added or not a static magnetic field. We showed that the presence of a static magnetic field prevents MNP heating and cell death in standard MH conditions. The heating power of MNPs in an AMF gradient is weak, position-dependent, and related to the presence of a non-zero AMF. Under an AMF gradient and a static field, no MNP heating and cell death were measured. Consequently, the hypothesis that translational motions could be involved in cell death during MH experiments is ruled out by our experiments.

  20. Frequency and reactivity of antigen-specific T cells were concurrently measured through the combination of artificial antigen-presenting cell, MACS and ELISPOT.

    PubMed

    Shen, Chuanlai; Xu, Tao; Wu, You; Li, Xiaoe; Xia, Lingzhi; Wang, Wei; Shahzad, Khawar Ali; Zhang, Lei; Wan, Xin; Qiu, Jie

    2017-11-27

    Conventional peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) multimer staining, intracellular cytokine staining, and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay cannot concurrently determine the frequency and reactivity of antigen-specific T cells (AST) in a single assay. In this report, pMHC multimer, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), and ELISPOT techniques have been integrated into a micro well by coupling pMHC multimers onto cell-sized magnetic beads to characterize AST cell populations in a 96-well microplate which pre-coated with cytokine-capture antibodies. This method, termed AAPC-microplate, allows the enumeration and local cytokine production of AST cells in a single assay without using flow cytometry or fluorescence intensity scanning, thus will be widely applicable. Here, ovalbumin 257-264 -specific CD8 + T cells from OT-1 T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice were measured. The methodological accuracy, specificity, reproducibility, and sensitivity in enumerating AST cells compared well with conventional pMHC multimer staining. Furthermore, the AAPC-microplate was applied to detect the frequency and reactivity of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen 18-27 - and surface antigen 183-191 -specific CD8 + T cells for the patients, and was compared with conventional method. This method without the need of high-end instruments may facilitate the routine analysis of patient-specific cellular immune response pattern to a given antigen in translational studies.

  1. A magnetic induction heating system with multi-cascaded coils and adjustable magnetic circuit for hyperthermia.

    PubMed

    Huang, Chi-Fang; Chao, Hsuan-Yi; Chang, Hsun-Hao; Lin, Xi-Zhang

    2016-01-01

    Based on the characteristics of cancer cells that cannot survive in an environment with temperature over 42 °C, a magnetic induction heating system for cancer treatment is developed in this work. First, the methods and analyses for designing the multi-cascaded coils magnetic induction hyperthermia system are proposed, such as internal impedance measurement of power generator, impedance matching of coils, and analysis of the system. Besides, characteristics of the system are simulated by a full-wave package for engineering optimization. Furthermore, by considering the safety factor of patients, a two-sectional needle is designed for hyperthermia. Finally, this system is employed to test the liver of swine in ex-vivo experiments, and through Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain and NADPH oxidase activity assay, the feasibility of this system is verified.

  2. In situ single cell detection via microfluidic magnetic bead assay

    PubMed Central

    KC, Pawan; Zhang, Ge; Zhe, Jiang

    2017-01-01

    We present a single cell detection device based on magnetic bead assay and micro Coulter counters. This device consists of two successive micro Coulter counters, coupled with a high gradient magnetic field generated by an external magnet. The device can identify single cells in terms of the transit time difference of the cell through the two micro Coulter counters. Target cells are conjugated with magnetic beads via specific antibody and antigen binding. A target cell traveling through the two Coulter counters interacts with the magnetic field, and have a longer transit time at the 1st counter than that at the 2nd counter. In comparison, a non-target cell has no interaction with the magnetic field, and hence has nearly the same transit times through the two counters. Each cell passing through the two counters generates two consecutive voltage pulses one after the other; the pulse widths and magnitudes indicating the cell’s transit times through the counters and the cell’s size respectively. Thus, by measuring the pulse widths (transit times) of each cell through the two counters, each single target cell can be differentiated from non-target cells even if they have similar sizes. We experimentally proved that the target human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and non-target rat adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) have significant different transit time distribution, from which we can determine the recognition regions for both cell groups quantitatively. We further demonstrated that within a mixed cell population of rASCs and HUVECs, HUVECs can be detected in situ and the measured HUVECs ratios agree well with the pre-set ratios. With the simple device structure and easy sample preparation, this method is expected to enable single cell detection in a continuous flow and can be applied to facilitate general cell detection applications such as stem cell identification and enumeration. PMID:28222140

  3. Use of a SQUID array to detect T-cells with magnetic nanoparticles in determining transplant rejection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flynn, Edward R.; Bryant, H. C.; Bergemann, Christian; Larson, Richard S.; Lovato, Debbie; Sergatskov, Dmitri A.

    2007-04-01

    Acute rejection in organ transplant is signaled by the proliferation of T-cells that target and kill the donor cells requiring painful biopsies to detect rejection onset. An alternative non-invasive technique is proposed using a multi-channel superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer to detect T-cell lymphocytes in the transplanted organ labeled with magnetic nanoparticles conjugated to antibodies specifically attached to lymphocytic ligand receptors. After a magnetic field pulse, the T-cells produce a decaying magnetic signal with a characteristic time of the order of a second. The extreme sensitivity of this technique, 10 5 cells, can provide early warning of impending transplant rejection and monitor immune-suppressive chemotherapy.

  4. Surface acoustic wave actuated cell sorting (SAWACS).

    PubMed

    Franke, T; Braunmüller, S; Schmid, L; Wixforth, A; Weitz, D A

    2010-03-21

    We describe a novel microfluidic cell sorter which operates in continuous flow at high sorting rates. The device is based on a surface acoustic wave cell-sorting scheme and combines many advantages of fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and fluorescence activated droplet sorting (FADS) in microfluidic channels. It is fully integrated on a PDMS device, and allows fast electronic control of cell diversion. We direct cells by acoustic streaming excited by a surface acoustic wave which deflects the fluid independently of the contrast in material properties of deflected objects and the continuous phase; thus the device underlying principle works without additional enhancement of the sorting by prior labelling of the cells with responsive markers such as magnetic or polarizable beads. Single cells are sorted directly from bulk media at rates as fast as several kHz without prior encapsulation into liquid droplet compartments as in traditional FACS. We have successfully directed HaCaT cells (human keratinocytes), fibroblasts from mice and MV3 melanoma cells. The low shear forces of this sorting method ensure that cells survive after sorting.

  5. Magnetic manipulation device for the optimization of cell processing conditions.

    PubMed

    Ito, Hiroshi; Kato, Ryuji; Ino, Kosuke; Honda, Hiroyuki

    2010-02-01

    Variability in human cell phenotypes make it's advancements in optimized cell processing necessary for personalized cell therapy. Here we propose a strategy of palm-top sized device to assist physically manipulating cells for optimizing cell preparations. For the design of such a device, we combined two conventional approaches: multi-well plate formatting and magnetic cell handling using magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs). From our previous works, we showed the labeling applications of MCL on adhesive cells for various tissue engineering approaches. To feasibly transfer cells in multi-well plate, we here evaluated the magnetic response of MCL-labeled suspension type cells. The cell handling performance of Jurkat cells proved to be faster and more robust compared to MACS (Magnetic Cell Sorting) bead methods. To further confirm our strategy, prototype palm-top sized device "magnetic manipulation device (MMD)" was designed. In the device, the actual cell transportation efficacy of Jurkat cells was satisfying. Moreover, as a model of the most distributed clinical cell processing, primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from different volunteers were evaluated. By MMD, individual PBMCs indicated to have optimum Interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentrations for the expansion. Such huge differences of individual cells indicated that MMD, our proposing efficient and self-contained support tool, could assist the feasible and cost-effective optimization of cell processing in clinical facilities. Copyright (c) 2009 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Efficiency of cellular growth when creating small pockets of electric current along the walls of cells.

    PubMed

    Kletetschka, Gunther; Zila, Vojtech; Klimova, Lucie

    2014-04-01

    Pulses up to 11 Tesla magnetic fields may generate pockets of currents along the walls of cellular material and may interfere with the overall ability of cell division. We used prokaryotic cells (Escherichia coli) and eukaryotic cells (murine fibroblasts) and exposed them to magnetic pulses of intensities ranging from 1 millitesla (mT) to 11,000 mT. We found prokaryotic cells to be more sensitive to magnetic field pulses than eukaryotic cells.

  7. Extended use of superconducting magnets for bio-medical development

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Stoynev, Stoyan E.

    Magnetic fields interact with biological cells affecting them in variety of ways which are usually hard to predict. Among them, it was observed that strong fields can align dividing cells in a preferred direction. It was also demonstrated that dividing cancer cells are effectively destroyed by applying electric fields in vivo with a success rate dependent on the cell-to-field orientation. Based on these facts, the present note aims to suggest the use of magnetic and electric fields for improved cancer treatment. Several possibilities of generating the electric fields inside the magnetic field volume are reviewed, main tentative approaches are describedmore » and discussed. Most if not all of them require special magnet configuration research which can be based on existing magnet systems in operation or in development.« less

  8. Magnetic liposomes for colorectal cancer cells therapy by high-frequency magnetic field treatment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hardiansyah, Andri; Huang, Li-Ying; Yang, Ming-Chien; Liu, Ting-Yu; Tsai, Sung-Chen; Yang, Chih-Yung; Kuo, Chih-Yu; Chan, Tzu-Yi; Zou, Hui-Ming; Lian, Wei-Nan; Lin, Chi-Hung

    2014-09-01

    In this study, we developed the cancer treatment through the combination of chemotherapy and thermotherapy using doxorubicin-loaded magnetic liposomes. The citric acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CAMNP, ca. 10 nm) and doxorubicin were encapsulated into the liposome (HSPC/DSPE/cholesterol = 12.5:1:8.25) by rotary evaporation and ultrasonication process. The resultant magnetic liposomes ( ca. 90 to 130 nm) were subject to characterization including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, and fluorescence microscope. In vitro cytotoxicity of the drug carrier platform was investigated through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using L-929 cells, as the mammalian cell model. In vitro cytotoxicity and hyperthermia (inductive heating) studies were evaluated against colorectal cancer (CT-26 cells) with high-frequency magnetic field (HFMF) exposure. MTT assay revealed that these drug carriers exhibited no cytotoxicity against L-929 cells, suggesting excellent biocompatibility. When the magnetic liposomes with 1 μM doxorubicin was used to treat CT-26 cells in combination with HFMF exposure, approximately 56% cells were killed and found to be more effective than either hyperthermia or chemotherapy treatment individually. Therefore, these results show that the synergistic effects between chemotherapy (drug-controlled release) and hyperthermia increase the capability to kill cancer cells.

  9. Magnetic Targeting of Stem Cell Derivatives Enhances Hepatic Engraftment into Structurally Normal Liver

    PubMed Central

    Fagg, W. Samuel; Liu, Naiyou; Yang, Ming-Jim; Cheng, Ke; Chung, Eric; Kim, Jae-Sung; Wu, Gordon

    2018-01-01

    Attaining consistent robust engraftment in the structurally normal liver is an obstacle for cellular transplantation. Most experimental approaches to increase transplanted cells’ engraftment involve recipient-centered deleterious methods such as partial hepatectomy or irradiation which may be unsuitable in the clinic. Here, we present a cell-based strategy that increases engraftment into the structurally normal liver using a combination of magnetic targeting and proliferative endoderm progenitor (EPs) cells. Magnetic labeling has little effect on cell viability and differentiation, but in the presence of magnetic targeting, it increases the initial dwell time of transplanted EPs into the undamaged liver parenchyma. Consequently, greater cell retention in the liver is observed concomitantly with fewer transplanted cells in the lungs. These highly proliferative cells then significantly increase their biomass over time in the liver parenchyma, approaching nearly 4% of total liver cells 30 d after transplant. Therefore, the cell-based mechanisms of increased initial dwell time through magnetic targeting combined with high rate of proliferation in situ yield significant engraftment in the undamaged liver. PMID:29390880

  10. Magnetic-field-induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat.

    PubMed Central

    Lai, Henry; Singh, Narendra P

    2004-01-01

    In previous research, we found that rats acutely (2 hr) exposed to a 60-Hz sinusoidal magnetic field at intensities of 0.1-0.5 millitesla (mT) showed increases in DNA single- and double-strand breaks in their brain cells. Further research showed that these effects could be blocked by pretreating the rats with the free radical scavengers melatonin and N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone, suggesting the involvement of free radicals. In the present study, effects of magnetic field exposure on brain cell DNA in the rat were further investigated. Exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic field at 0.01 mT for 24 hr caused a significant increase in DNA single- and double-strand breaks. Prolonging the exposure to 48 hr caused a larger increase. This indicates that the effect is cumulative. In addition, treatment with Trolox (a vitamin E analog) or 7-nitroindazole (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) blocked magnetic-field-induced DNA strand breaks. These data further support a role of free radicals on the effects of magnetic fields. Treatment with the iron chelator deferiprone also blocked the effects of magnetic fields on brain cell DNA, suggesting the involvement of iron. Acute magnetic field exposure increased apoptosis and necrosis of brain cells in the rat. We hypothesize that exposure to a 60-Hz magnetic field initiates an iron-mediated process (e.g., the Fenton reaction) that increases free radical formation in brain cells, leading to DNA strand breaks and cell death. This hypothesis could have an important implication for the possible health effects associated with exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields in the public and occupational environments. PMID:15121512

  11. Trapping and Collection of Lymphocytes Using Microspot Array Chip and Magnetic Beads

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashioka, Shingi; Obata, Tsutomu; Tokimitsu, Yoshiharu; Fujiki, Satoshi; Nakazato, Hiroyoshi; Muraguchi, Atsushi; Kishi, Hiroyuki; Tanino, Katsumi

    2006-04-01

    A microspot array chip, which has microspots of a magnetic thin film patterned on a glass substrate, was fabricated for trapping individual cells and for measuring their cellular response. The chip was easily fabricated by conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques on a mass production level as a disposable medical device. When a solution of lymphocyte-bound-magnetic beads was poured into the magnetized chip, each lymphocyte was trapped on each microspot of the magnetic thin film. The trapped cells were easily recovered from the chip using a micromanipulator. The micro-spot array chip can be utilized for arraying live cells and for measuring the response of each cell. The chip will be useful for preparing on array of different kinds of cells and for analyzing cellular response at the single cell level. The chip will be particularly useful for detecting antigen-specific B-lymphocytes and antigen-specific antibody complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA).

  12. Magnetic domain wall conduits for single cell applications.

    PubMed

    Donolato, M; Torti, A; Kostesha, N; Deryabina, M; Sogne, E; Vavassori, P; Hansen, M F; Bertacco, R

    2011-09-07

    The ability to trap, manipulate and release single cells on a surface is important both for fundamental studies of cellular processes and for the development of novel lab-on-chip miniaturized tools for biological and medical applications. In this paper we demonstrate how magnetic domain walls generated in micro- and nano-structures fabricated on a chip surface can be used to handle single yeast cells labeled with magnetic beads. In detail, first we show that the proposed approach maintains the microorganism viable, as proven by monitoring the division of labeled yeast cells trapped by domain walls over 16 hours. Moreover, we demonstrate the controlled transport and release of individual yeast cells via displacement and annihilation of individual domain walls in micro- and nano-sized magnetic structures. These results pave the way to the implementation of magnetic devices based on domain walls technology in lab-on-chip systems devoted to accurate individual cell trapping and manipulation.

  13. Identification of Lectins from Metastatic Cancer Cells through Magnetic Glyconanoparticles

    PubMed Central

    Kavunja, Herbert W.; Voss, Patricia G.

    2016-01-01

    Cancer cells can have characteristic carbohydrate binding properties. Previously, it was shown that a highly metastatic melanoma cell line B16F10 bound to galacto-side-functionalized nanoparticles much stronger than the corresponding less metastatic B16F1 cells. To better understand the carbohydrate binding properties of cancer cells, herein, we report the isolation and characterization of endogenous galactose binding proteins from B16F10 cells using magnetic glyconanoparticles. The galactose-coated magnetic glyconanoparticles could bind with lectins present in the cells and be isolated through magnet-mediated separation. Through Western blot and mass spectrometry, the arginine/serine rich splicing factor Sfrs1 was identified as a galactose-selective endogenous lectin, overexpressed in B16F10 cells, compared with B16F1 cells. In addition, galactin-3 was found in higher amounts in B16F10 cells. Finally, the glyconanoparticles exhibited a superior efficiency in lectin isolation, from both protein mixtures and live cells, than the corresponding more traditional microparticles functionalized with carbohydrates. Thus, the magnetic glyconanoparticles present a useful tool for discovery of endogenous lectins, as well as binding partners of lectins, without prior knowledge of protein identities. PMID:27110035

  14. Development of a magnetic bead-based method for the collection of circulating extracellular vesicles.

    PubMed

    Shih, Chun-Liang; Chong, Kowit-Yu; Hsu, Shih-Che; Chien, Hsin-Jung; Ma, Ching-Ting; Chang, John Wen-Cheng; Yu, Chia-Jung; Chiou, Chiuan-Chian

    2016-01-25

    Cells release different types of extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs contain biomolecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, from their parent cells, which can be useful for diagnostic applications. The aim of this study was to develop a convenient procedure to collect circulating EVs with detectable mRNA or other biomolecules. Magnetic beads coated with annexin A5 (ANX-beads), which bound to phosphatidylserine moieties on the surfaces of most EVs, were tested for their ability to capture induced apoptotic bodies in vitro and other phosphatidylserine-presenting vesicles in body fluids. Our results show that up to 60% of induced apoptotic bodies could be captured by the ANX-beads. The vesicles captured from cultured media or plasma contained amplifiable RNA. Suitable blood samples for EV collection included EDTA-plasma and serum but not heparin-plasma. In addition, EVs in plasma were labile to freeze-and-thaw cycles. In rodents xenografted with human cancer cells, tumor-derived mRNA could be detected in EVs captured from serum samples. Active proteins could be detected in EVs captured from ascites but not from plasma. In conclusion, we have developed a magnetic bead-based procedure for the collection of EVs from body fluids and proved that captured EVs contain biomolecules from their parent cells, and therefore have great potential for disease diagnosis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. In Vitro Evaluation of Gd(3+)-Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer-Monoclonal Antibody: Potential Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents for Prostate Cancer Cell Imaging.

    PubMed

    Mirzaei, Mehdi; Mehravi, Bita; Ardestani, Mehdi Shafiee; Ziaee, Seyed Amir Mohsen; Pourghasem, Peyman

    2015-12-01

    Early stage prostate cancer diagnosis is of high global interest. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive modality for early cancer diagnosis, in particular for prostate cancer detection. The research aim is to synthesize a nanodendrimer and its conjugate with C595 monoclonal antibody (mAb C595), against prostate cancer, followed by its chelating with Gd(3+). Anti-MUC-1 mAb C595 was conjugated to an anionic linear globular dendrimer (ALGDG2). The polyethylene glycol core and citric acid shell were synthesized followed by loading with Gd(3+) to make novel contrast agents for functional MRI. The in vitro behavior and MRI parameters of the nanoconjugate were investigated performing several studies such as cell toxicity and TNF-alpha evaluations. The investigation of magnetic resonance imaging parameters indicated how well nanoconjugate performs in (1)H-NMR and (17)O-NMR in vitro. Results showed a potential specific MRI activity by improving the swelling responses cell binding. The MTT (2-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-3,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay demonstrated that this contrast agent had significant cytotoxicity on prostate cancer cells. These results showed that Gd(3+)-ALGDG2-C595 is a potential prostate molecular imaging agent and could be considered as an ideal functional nanoprobe. Additionally, further investigations by clinical trials are in the pipeline.

  16. Targeted drug delivery to the brain using magnetic nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Thomsen, Louiza Bohn; Thomsen, Maj Schneider; Moos, Torben

    2015-01-01

    Brain capillary endothelial cells denote the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and conjugation of nanoparticles with antibodies that target molecules expressed by these endothelial cells may facilitate their uptake and transport into the brain. Magnetic nanoparticles can be encapsulated in liposomes and carry large molecules with therapeutic potential, for example, siRNA, cDNA and polypeptides. An additional approach to enhance the transport of magnetic nanoparticles across the BBB is the application of extracranially applied magnetic force. Stepwise targeting of magnetic nanoparticles to brain capillary endothelial cells followed by transport through the BBB using magnetic force may prove a novel mechanism for targeted therapy of macromolecules to the brain.

  17. The effect of static magnetic fields and tat peptides on cellular and nuclear uptake of magnetic nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Smith, Carol-Anne M; de la Fuente, Jesus; Pelaz, Beatriz; Furlani, Edward P; Mullin, Margaret; Berry, Catherine C

    2010-05-01

    Magnetic nanoparticles are widely used in bioapplications such as imaging (MRI), targeted delivery (drugs/genes) and cell transfection (magnetofection). Historically, the impermeable nature of both the plasma and nuclear membranes hinder potential. Researchers combat this by developing techniques to enhance cellular and nuclear uptake. Two current popular methods are using external magnetic fields to remotely control particle direction or functionalising the nanoparticles with a cell penetrating peptide (e.g. tat); both of which facilitate cell entry. This paper compares the success of both methods in terms of nanoparticle uptake, analysing the type of magnetic forces the particles experience, and determines gross cell response in terms of morphology and structure and changes at the gene level via microarray analysis. Results indicated that both methods enhanced uptake via a caveolin dependent manner, with tat peptide being the more efficient and achieving nuclear uptake. On comparison to control cells, many groups of gene changes were observed in response to the particles. Importantly, the magnetic field also caused many change in gene expression, regardless of the nanoparticles, and appeared to cause F-actin alignment in the cells. Results suggest that static fields should be modelled and analysed prior to application in culture as cells clearly respond appropriately. Furthermore, the use of cell penetrating peptides may prove more beneficial in terms of enhancing uptake and maintaining cell homeostasis than a magnetic field. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Esters of Quinoxaline 1ˏ4-Di-N-oxide with Cytotoxic Activity on Tumor Cell Lines Based on NCI-60 Panel

    PubMed Central

    Rivera, Gildardo; Ahmad Shah, Syed Shoaib; Arrieta-Baez, Daniel; Palos, Isidro; Mongue, Antonio; Sánchez-Torres, Luvia Enid

    2017-01-01

    Quinoxalines display diverse and interesting pharmacological activities as antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and anticancer agents. Particularly, their 1ˏ4-di-N-oxide derivatives have proved to be cytotoxic agents that are active under hypoxic conditions as that of solid tumours. A new series of quinoxaline 1ˏ4-di-N-oxide substitutes at 7-position with esters group were synthetized and characterized by infrared (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Seventeen derivatives (M1-M3, E1-E8, P1-P3 and DR1-DR3) were selected and evaluated for antitumor activities using the NCI-60 human tumor cell lines screen. Results showed that E7, P3 and E6 were the most active compounds against the cell lines tested. Substitutions at 7-position with esters group not necessarily affect the biological activity, but the nature of the esters group could exert an influence on the selectivity. Additionally, substitutions at 2-position influenced the cytotoxic activity of the compounds. PMID:29201086

  19. Esters of Quinoxaline 1`4-Di-N-oxide with Cytotoxic Activity on Tumor Cell Lines Based on NCI-60 Panel.

    PubMed

    Rivera, Gildardo; Ahmad Shah, Syed Shoaib; Arrieta-Baez, Daniel; Palos, Isidro; Mongue, Antonio; Sánchez-Torres, Luvia Enid

    2017-01-01

    Quinoxalines display diverse and interesting pharmacological activities as antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and anticancer agents. Particularly, their 1`4-di- N -oxide derivatives have proved to be cytotoxic agents that are active under hypoxic conditions as that of solid tumours. A new series of quinoxaline 1`4-di- N -oxide substitutes at 7-position with esters group were synthetized and characterized by infrared (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H-NMR), spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Seventeen derivatives (M1-M3, E1-E8, P1-P3 and DR1-DR3) were selected and evaluated for antitumor activities using the NCI-60 human tumor cell lines screen. Results showed that E7, P3 and E6 were the most active compounds against the cell lines tested. Substitutions at 7-position with esters group not necessarily affect the biological activity, but the nature of the esters group could exert an influence on the selectivity. Additionally, substitutions at 2-position influenced the cytotoxic activity of the compounds.

  20. Simultaneous hyperthermia-chemotherapy with controlled drug delivery using single-drug nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Sato, Itaru; Umemura, Masanari; Mitsudo, Kenji; Fukumura, Hidenobu; Kim, Jeong-Hwan; Hoshino, Yujiro; Nakashima, Hideyuki; Kioi, Mitomu; Nakakaji, Rina; Sato, Motohiko; Fujita, Takayuki; Yokoyama, Utako; Okumura, Satoshi; Oshiro, Hisashi; Eguchi, Haruki; Tohnai, Iwai; Ishikawa, Yoshihiro

    2016-04-22

    We previously investigated the utility of μ-oxo N,N'- bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine iron (Fe(Salen)) nanoparticles as a new anti-cancer agent for magnet-guided delivery with anti-cancer activity. Fe(Salen) nanoparticles should rapidly heat up in an alternating magnetic field (AMF), and we hypothesized that these single-drug nanoparticles would be effective for combined hyperthermia-chemotherapy. Conventional hyperthermic particles are usually made of iron oxide, and thus cannot exhibit anti-cancer activity in the absence of an AMF. We found that Fe(Salen) nanoparticles induced apoptosis in cultured cancer cells, and that AMF exposure enhanced the apoptotic effect. Therefore, we evaluated the combined three-fold strategy, i.e., chemotherapy with Fe(Salen) nanoparticles, magnetically guided delivery of the nanoparticles to the tumor, and AMF-induced heating of the nanoparticles to induce local hyperthermia, in a rabbit model of tongue cancer. Intravenous administration of Fe(Salen) nanoparticles per se inhibited tumor growth before the other two modalities were applied. This inhibition was enhanced when a magnet was used to accumulate Fe(Salen) nanoparticles at the tongue. When an AMF was further applied (magnet-guided chemotherapy plus hyperthermia), the tumor masses were dramatically reduced. These results indicate that our strategy of combined hyperthermia-chemotherapy using Fe(Salen) nanoparticles specifically delivered with magnetic guidance represents a powerful new approach for cancer treatment.

  1. Ferromagnetic nanowires: Field-induced self-assembly, magnetotransport and biological applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanase, Monica

    In this dissertation, a series of experiments on magnetic nanowires are described. Magnetic nanowires suspended in fluid solutions can be assembled and ordered by taking advantage of their large shape anisotropy. Magnetic manipulation and assembly techniques were developed, using electrodeposited Ni nanowires. Preorienting nanowires in a small magnetic field induced their self-assembly in continuous chains. A new technique of magnetic trapping allowed capture of single nanowires from fluid suspension on lithographically fabricated micromagnets. As described herein, the presence of an external magnetic field plays a fundamental role in all fluid assembly methods used. The dynamics of both chaining and trapping processes is described quantitatively in terms of the interplay of magnetic forces and fluid drag at low Reynolds number. Lithographic methods for addressing single nanowires for transport characterization were developed. Magnetotransport measurements were performed on individual straight and bent PtNiPt nanowires. The Pt end segments provided an oxide-free interface to the magnetic central segment. In straight nanowires, domain reversal was observed to occur via curling mode initiated in a small nucleation volume. Magnetotransport in bent nanowires allowed the investigation of a domain wall trapped at the bend. Magnetic trapping of nanowires on pre-fabricated electrodes was adapted as a successful alternative contacting technique to lithography. The self-assembly and manipulation techniques were adapted for manipulation of cells as nanowires were found to bind to cells through nonspecific adhesion mechanisms. Ni nanowires were found to outperform superparamagnetic beads in magnetic cell separations. Additionally, the large remnant magnetization of the nanowires allowed for low-field manipulation techniques. Self-assembled chains of cells were formed and single cells were localized on substrates patterned with micromagnets. A fluid flow method was developed to controllably introduce the cells in the proximity of arrays of micromagnets. Cells decorated the arrays forming patterns described well by dipolar interactions between the magnetic elements and the nanowires. Calculations of the locations favorable for trapping were performed by evaluating the energy of interaction between the array and the nanowires. A second-order mechanism of cell capture was also identified, i.e. chaining by wire-wire dipolar interaction.

  2. The Effects of Magnetic Exposure on the Nervous System: A study on the effects of low-strength low-frequency magnetic fields on neurotransmitter exocytosis and cell viability through ionic cyclotron resonance frequency

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saveriades, George

    This PhD dissertation focuses on the study of the effects of magnetic exposure on biological systems using amperometry techniques and viability assays. In our prior work based on the cyclotron resonance model, chromaffin cells in physiological saline and Ca2+-free media were exposed for 5 minutes to a 2.7 muT magnetic field, with frequency sweeps going from 30-60 Hz (targeting several ions involved in exocytosis) and 44-48 Hz (targeting specifically Ca2+ ions), with noticeable effects on exocytosis. The present study extended the work on chromaffin cells by covering frequency sweeps for different ions, manipulating the time of exposure and the strength of the magnetic field. Furthermore, amperometry was conducted on acute coronal brain slices, to demonstrate that the recorded effects could be measured on neuronal tissue. The viability of chromaffin cells and primary neuronal cultures exposed to magnetic fields was also addressed. The results demonstrate that cellular exocytosis is sensitive to the frequency of the magnetic field it is exposed to, the strength of the magnetic field and the duration of exposure. No significant effects were established with regards to the viability of the cells exposed to magnetic fields.

  3. A folate-integrated magnetic polymer micelle for MRI and dual targeted drug delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ao, Lijiao; Wang, Bi; Liu, Peng; Huang, Liang; Yue, Caixia; Gao, Duyang; Wu, Chunlei; Su, Wu

    2014-08-01

    This paper devotes a novel micellar structure for cancer theranostics by incorporating magnetic and therapeutic functionalities into a natural sourced targeting polymer vehicle. Heparin-folic acid micelles taking advantage of both excellent loading capability and cancer targeting ability have been employed to simultaneously incorporate superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and doxorubicin through an ultrasonication-assisted microemulsion method. In this system, folic acids not only take the responsibility of micelle construction, but also facilitate cellular uptake due to their specific reorganization by MCF-7 cells over-expressing folate receptors. The obtained micelles exhibit good colloidal stability, a high magnetic content, considerable drug loading and sustained in vitro drug release. These clustered SPIONs exhibited high r2 relaxivity (243.65 mM-1 s-1) and further served as efficient probes for MR imaging. Notably, the transport efficiency of these micelles could be significantly improved under an external magnetic field, owing to their quick magnetic response. As a result, the as-proposed micelle shows great potential in multimodal theranostics, including active targeting, MRI diagnosis and drug delivery.This paper devotes a novel micellar structure for cancer theranostics by incorporating magnetic and therapeutic functionalities into a natural sourced targeting polymer vehicle. Heparin-folic acid micelles taking advantage of both excellent loading capability and cancer targeting ability have been employed to simultaneously incorporate superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and doxorubicin through an ultrasonication-assisted microemulsion method. In this system, folic acids not only take the responsibility of micelle construction, but also facilitate cellular uptake due to their specific reorganization by MCF-7 cells over-expressing folate receptors. The obtained micelles exhibit good colloidal stability, a high magnetic content, considerable drug loading and sustained in vitro drug release. These clustered SPIONs exhibited high r2 relaxivity (243.65 mM-1 s-1) and further served as efficient probes for MR imaging. Notably, the transport efficiency of these micelles could be significantly improved under an external magnetic field, owing to their quick magnetic response. As a result, the as-proposed micelle shows great potential in multimodal theranostics, including active targeting, MRI diagnosis and drug delivery. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr02484b

  4. The Design and Development of Potent Small Molecules as Anticancer Agents Targeting EGFR TK and Tubulin Polymerization

    PubMed Central

    Ihmaid, Saleh; Ahmed, Hany E. A.; Zayed, Mohamed F.

    2018-01-01

    Some novel anthranilate diamides derivatives 4a–e, 6a–c and 9a–d were designed and synthesized to be evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity. Structures of all newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by infra-red (IR), high-resolution mass (HR-MS) spectra, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. Cytotoxic screening was performed according to (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium (MTT) assay method using erlotinib as a reference drug against two different types of breast cancer cells. The molecular docking study was performed for representative compounds against two targets, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and tubulin in colchicine binding site to assess their binding affinities in order to rationalize their anticancer activity in a qualitative way. The data obtained from the molecular modeling was correlated with that obtained from the biological screening. These data showed considerable anticancer activity for these newly synthesized compounds. Biological data for most of the anthranilate diamide showed excellent activity with nanomolar or sub nanomolar half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values against tumor cells. EGFR tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibition assay, tubulin inhibition assay and apoptosis analysis were performed for selected compounds to get more details about their mechanism of action. Extensive structure activity relationship (SAR) analyses were also carried out. PMID:29385728

  5. Magnetic Nanoparticles as Mechanical Actuators of Inner Ear Hair Cells

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-01-13

    AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2016-0039 Magnetic nanoparticles as mechanical actuators of inner ear hair cells Dolores Bozovic UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS...4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Magnetic nanoparticles as mechanical actuators of inner ear hair cells 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER N.A. 5b. GRANT NUMBER FA9550-12...13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT The collaborative project was designed to edevelop the use of magnetic nanoparticles to manipulate auditory hair

  6. Experimental determination of the magnetic dipole moment of candidate magnetoreceptor cells in trout

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Winklhofer, M.; Eder, S.; Cadioiu, H.; McNaughton, P. A.; Kirschvink, J. L.

    2011-12-01

    Based on histological, physiological, and physical evidence, Walker et al (1997) and Diebel et al (2000) have identified distinctive cells in the olfactory epithelium of the rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss) that contain magnetite and are closely associated with neurons that respond to changes in magnetic field. To put biophysical constraints on the possible transduction mechanism of magnetic signals, and in particular, to find out if the intracellular magnet is free to rotate or rather firmly anchored within the cell body, we have studied the magneto-mechanical response of isolated candidate receptor cells in suspension using a light microscope equipped with two pairs of Helmholtz coils. From the characteristic re-orientation time of suspended cells after a change in magnetic field direction, we have determined the magnitude of the magnetic dipole moment of the cells in function of the external field strength (0.4 mT to 3.2 mT) in order to find out whether or not the natural magnetic moment is remanence-based or induced (i.e., single-domain vs. superparamagnetic/multi-domain). Results: 1) The mechanical response of isolated cells to a change in magnetic field direction was always immediate, irrespective of the direction of change, which implies that the intracellular magnet is not free to rotate in the cell, but rather rigidly attached, probably to the plasma membrane, which is also suggested by our confocal fluorescence-microscope studies. 2) The cellular dipole moment turned out to be independent of the external field strength. Thus, the natural magnetic dipole moment is based on magnetic remanence, which points to single-domain particles and corroborates the results by Diebel et al (2000), who obtained switching fields consistent with single-domain magnetite. 3). The magnetic dipole moment is found to be of the order of several tens of fAm2, which greatly exceeds previous estimates (0.5 fAm2), and thus is similar to values reported for the most strongly magnetic types of magnetotactic bacteria (Hanzlik et al. 2002). Our results demonstrate that the magnetically identified cells clearly meet the physical requirements for a magnetoreceptor capable of rapidly detecting small changes in the external magnetic field. Diebel, C.E., Proksch, R., Green, C.R., Neilson, P. & Walker, M.M. (2000) Magnetite defines a vertebrate magnetoreceptor. Nature 406, 299-302. Hanzlik, M., Winklhofer, M., Petersen, N. (2002) Pulsed-field-remanence measurements on individual magnetotactic bacteria, J. Magn. Magn. Mater., 248(2), 258-267. Walker, M.M., Diebel, C.E., Haugh, C.V., Pankhurst, P.M., Montgomery, J.C. & Green, C.R. (1997) Structure and function of the vertebrate magnetic sense. Nature 390, 371-376.

  7. Cytotoxic effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized via seaweed aqueous extract.

    PubMed

    Namvar, Farideh; Rahman, Heshu Sulaiman; Mohamad, Rosfarizan; Baharara, Javad; Mahdavi, Mahnaz; Amini, Elaheh; Chartrand, Max Stanley; Yeap, Swee Keong

    2014-01-01

    Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) are among the most useful metal nanoparticles for multiple applications across a broad spectrum in the biomedical field, including the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In previous work, we synthesized and characterized Fe3O4 MNPs using a simple, rapid, safe, efficient, one-step green method involving reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract containing hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino functional groups mainly relevant to polysaccharides, which acts as a potential stabilizer and metal reductant agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity and cellular effects of these Fe3O4 MNPs. Their in vitro anticancer activity was demonstrated in human cell lines for leukemia (Jurkat cells), breast cancer (MCF-7 cells), cervical cancer (HeLa cells), and liver cancer (HepG2 cells). The cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of Fe3O4 MNPs, and an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was used to test for cytotoxicity, resulting in an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of 23.83±1.1 μg/mL (HepG2), 18.75±2.1 μg/mL (MCF-7), 12.5±1.7 μg/mL (HeLa), and 6.4±2.3 μg/mL (Jurkat) 72 hours after treatment. Therefore, Jurkat cells were selected for further investigation. The representative dot plots from flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis showed that the percentages of cells in early apoptosis and late apoptosis were increased. Cell cycle analysis showed a significant increase in accumulation of Fe3O4 MNP-treated cells at sub-G1 phase, confirming induction of apoptosis by Fe3O4 MNPs. The Fe3O4 MNPs also activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a time-response fashion. The nature of the biosynthesis and therapeutic potential of Fe3O4 MNPs could pave the way for further research on the green synthesis of therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, to assist in the treatment of cancer.

  8. Cytotoxic effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized via seaweed aqueous extract

    PubMed Central

    Namvar, Farideh; Rahman, Heshu Sulaiman; Mohamad, Rosfarizan; Baharara, Javad; Mahdavi, Mahnaz; Amini, Elaheh; Chartrand, Max Stanley; Yeap, Swee Keong

    2014-01-01

    Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) are among the most useful metal nanoparticles for multiple applications across a broad spectrum in the biomedical field, including the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In previous work, we synthesized and characterized Fe3O4 MNPs using a simple, rapid, safe, efficient, one-step green method involving reduction of ferric chloride solution using brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract containing hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino functional groups mainly relevant to polysaccharides, which acts as a potential stabilizer and metal reductant agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity and cellular effects of these Fe3O4 MNPs. Their in vitro anticancer activity was demonstrated in human cell lines for leukemia (Jurkat cells), breast cancer (MCF-7 cells), cervical cancer (HeLa cells), and liver cancer (HepG2 cells). The cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of Fe3O4 MNPs, and an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was used to test for cytotoxicity, resulting in an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of 23.83±1.1 μg/mL (HepG2), 18.75±2.1 μg/mL (MCF-7), 12.5±1.7 μg/mL (HeLa), and 6.4±2.3 μg/mL (Jurkat) 72 hours after treatment. Therefore, Jurkat cells were selected for further investigation. The representative dot plots from flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis showed that the percentages of cells in early apoptosis and late apoptosis were increased. Cell cycle analysis showed a significant increase in accumulation of Fe3O4 MNP-treated cells at sub-G1 phase, confirming induction of apoptosis by Fe3O4 MNPs. The Fe3O4 MNPs also activated caspase-3 and caspase-9 in a time-response fashion. The nature of the biosynthesis and therapeutic potential of Fe3O4 MNPs could pave the way for further research on the green synthesis of therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, to assist in the treatment of cancer. PMID:24899805

  9. Fire Hose Instability in the Multiple Magnetic Reconnection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alexandrova, A.; Retino, A.; Divin, A. V.; Le Contel, O.; Matteini, L.; Breuillard, H.; Deca, J.; Catapano, F.; Cozzani, G.; Nakamura, R.; Panov, E. V.; Voros, Z.

    2017-12-01

    We present observations of multiple reconnection in the Earth's magnetotail. In particular, we observe an ion temperature anisotropy characterized by large temperature along the magnetic field, between the two active X-lines. The anisotropy is associated with right-hand polarized waves at frequencies lower than the ion cyclotron frequency and propagating obliquely to the background magnetic field. We show that the observed anisotropy and the wave properties are consistent with linear kinetic theory of fire hose instability. The observations are in agreement with the particle-in-cell simulations of multiple reconnection. The results suggest that the fire hose instability can develop during multiple reconnection as a consequence of the ion parallel anisotropy that is produced by counter-streaming ions trapped between the X-lines.

  10. Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields can impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat.

    PubMed

    Tenorio, Bruno Mendes; Ferreira Filho, Moisés Bonifacio Alves; Jimenez, George Chaves; de Morais, Rosana Nogueira; Peixoto, Christina Alves; Nogueira, Romildo de Albuquerque; da Silva Junior, Valdemiro Amaro

    2014-06-01

    Male infertility is often related to reproductive age couples experiencing fertility-related issues. Men may have fertility problems associated with reversible testicular damage. Considering that men have been increasingly exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields generated by the production, distribution and use of electricity, this study analyzed whether 60 Hz and 1 mT magnetic field exposure may impair spermatogenesis recovery after reversible testicular damage induced by heat shock using rats as an experimental model. Adult male rats were subjected to a single testicular heat shock (HS, 43 °C for 12 min) and then exposed to the magnetic field for 15, 30 and 60 d after HS. Magnetic field exposure during the spermatogenesis recovery induced changes in testis components volume, cell ultrastructure and histomorphometrical parameters. Control animals had a reestablished and active spermatogenesis at 60 d after heat shock, while animals exposed to magnetic field still showed extensive testicular degeneration. Magnetic field exposure did not change the plasma testosterone. In conclusion, extremely low-frequency magnetic field may be harmful to fertility recovery in males affected by reversible testicular damage.

  11. Magnetophoretic Conductors and Diodes in a 3D Magnetic Field.

    PubMed

    Abedini-Nassab, Roozbeh; Joh, Daniel Y; Van Heest, Melissa; Baker, Cody; Chilkoti, Ashutosh; Murdoch, David M; Yellen, Benjamin B

    2016-06-14

    We demonstrate magnetophoretic conductor tracks that can transport single magnetized beads and magnetically labeled single cells in a 3-dimensional time-varying magnetic field. The vertical field bias, in addition to the in-plane rotating field, has the advantage of reducing the attraction between particles, which inhibits the formation of particle clusters. However, the inclusion of a vertical field requires the re-design of magnetic track geometries which can transport magnetized objects across the substrate. Following insights from magnetic bubble technology, we found that successful magnetic conductor geometries defined in soft magnetic materials must be composed of alternating sections of positive and negative curvature. In addition to the previously studied magnetic tracks taken from the magnetic bubble literature, a drop-shape pattern was found to be even more adept at transporting small magnetic beads and single cells. Symmetric patterns are shown to achieve bi-directional conduction, whereas asymmetric patterns achieve unidirectional conduction. These designs represent the electrical circuit corollaries of the conductor and diode, respectively. Finally, we demonstrate biological applications in transporting single cells and in the size based separation of magnetic particles.

  12. Contagious Coronal Heating from Recurring Emergence of Magnetic Flux

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moore, R. L.; Falconer, D. A.; Sterling, A. C.

    2002-01-01

    For each of six old bipolar active regions, we present and interpret Yohkoh/SXT and SOHO/MDI observations of the development, over several days, of enhanced coronal heating in and around the old bipole in response to new magnetic flux emergence within the old bipole. The observations show: 1. In each active region, new flux emerges in the equatorward side of the old bipole, around a lone remaining leading sunspot and/or on the equatorward end of the neutral line of the old bipole. 2. The emerging field is marked by intense internal coronal heating, and enhanced coronal heating occurs in extended loops stemming from the emergence site. 3. In five of the six cases, a "rooster tail" of coronal loops in the poleward extent of the old bipole also brightens in response to the flux emergence. 4. There are episodes of enhanced coronal heating in surrounding magnetic fields that are contiguous with the old bipole but are not directly connected to the emerging field. From these observations, we suggest that the accommodation of localized newly emerged flux within an old active region entails far reaching adjustments in the 3D magnetic field throughout the active region and in surrounding fields in which the active region is embedded, and that these adjustments produce the extensive enhanced coronal heating. We Also Note That The Reason For The recurrence of flux emergence in old active regions may be that active-region flux tends to emerge in giant-cell convection downflows. If so, the poleward "rooster tail" is a coronal flag of a long-lasting downflow in the convection zone. This work was funded by NASA's Office of Space Science through the Solar Physics Supporting Research and Technology Program and the Sun-Earth Connection Guest Investigator Program.

  13. Contagious Coronal Heating from Recurring Emergence of Magnetic Flux

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Moore, Ronald L.; Falconer, David; Sterling, Alphonse; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

    2001-01-01

    For each of six old bipolar active regions, we present and interpret Yohkoh/SXT and SOHO/MDI observations of the development, over several days, of enhanced coronal heating in and around the old bipole in response to new magnetic flux emerge= within the old bipole. The observations show: 1. In each active region, new flux emerges in the equatorward side of the old bipole, around a lone remaining leading sunspot and/or on the equatorward end of the neutral line of the old bipole. 2. The emerging field is marked by intense internal coronal heating, and enhanced coronal heating occurs in extended loops stemming from the emergence site. 3. In five of the six cases, a "rooster tail" of coronal loops in the poleward extent of the old bipole also brightens in response to the flux emergence. 4. There are episodes of enhanced coronal heating in surrounding magnetic fields that are contiguous with the old bipole but are not directly connected to the emerging field. From these observations, we suggest that the accommodation of localized newly emerged flux within an old active region entails far reaching adjustments in the 3D magnetic field throughout the active region and in surrounding fields in which the active region is embedded, and that these adjustments produce the extensive enhanced coronal heating. We also note that the reason for the recurrence of flux emergence in old active regions may be that active region flux tends to emerge in giant-cell convection downflows. If so, the poleward "rooster tail" is a coronal flag of a long-lasting downflow in the convection zone. This work was funded by NASA's Office of Space Science through the Solar Physics Supporting Research and Technology Program and the Sun-Earth Connection Guest Investigator Program.

  14. Magnetic nanoparticles for efficient cell transduction with Semliki Forest virus.

    PubMed

    Kurena, Baiba; Vežāne, Aleksandra; Skrastiņa, Dace; Trofimova, Olga; Zajakina, Anna

    2017-07-01

    Semliki Forest virus (SFV) is a potential cancer gene therapy vector capable of providing high and transient expression of heterologous proteins in mammalian cells. However, SFV has shown suboptimal transduction levels in several cancer cell types as well as wide biodistribution of SFV has been observed after in vivo applications. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been shown to increase cell transduction with several viral vectors in vitro under an external magnetic field and enhance magnetically guided viral vector delivery. Here, we examined a panel of MNPs for enhanced cancer cell transduction with SFV vector. Magneto-transduction using positively charged MNPs increased Semliki Forest virus transduction in TS/A mouse mammary carcinoma cells in vitro in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Positively charged MNPs efficiently captured SFV particles independently of capturing medium, and MNPs-SFV complexes were successfully separated from suspension by magnetic precipitation. These results reveal the potential application of MNPs for enhanced gene delivery by SFV vector as well as proposes magnetic precipitation for efficient concentration of SFV particles from different media. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Control of proliferation rate of N27 dopaminergic neurons using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation orientation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meng, Yiwen; Hadimani, Ravi; Anantharam, Vellareddy; Kanthasamy, Anumantha; Jiles, David

    2015-03-01

    Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used to investigate possible treatments for a variety of neurological disorders. However, the effect that magnetic fields have on neurons has not been well documented in the literature. We have investigated the effect of different orientation of magnetic field generated by TMS coils with a monophasic stimulator on the proliferation rate of N27 neuronal cells cultured in flasks and multi-well plates. The proliferation rate of neurons would increase by exposed horizontally adherent N27 cells to a magnetic field pointing upward through the neuronal proliferation layer compared with the control group. On the other hand, proliferation rate would decrease in cells exposed to a magnetic field pointing downward through the neuronal growth layer compared with the control group. We confirmed results obtained from the Trypan-blue and automatic cell counting methods with those from the CyQuant and MTS cell viability assays. Our findings could have important implications for the preclinical development of TMS treatments of neurological disorders and represents a new method to control the proliferation rate of neuronal cells.

  16. NMR of (133)Cs(+) in stretched hydrogels: One-dimensional, z- and NOESY spectra, and probing the ion's environment in erythrocytes.

    PubMed

    Kuchel, Philip W; Shishmarev, Dmitry; Puckeridge, Max; Levitt, Malcolm H; Naumann, Christoph; Chapman, Bogdan E

    2015-12-01

    (133)Cs nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was conducted on (133)Cs(+) in gelatin hydrogels that were either relaxed or stretched. Stretching generated a septet from this spin-7/2 nucleus, and its nuclear magnetic relaxation was studied via z-spectra, and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser (NOESY) spectroscopy. Various spectral features were well simulated by using Mathematica and the software package SpinDynamica. Spectra of CsCl in suspensions of human erythrocytes embedded in gelatin gel showed separation of the resonances from the cation inside and outside the cells. Upon stretching the sample, the extracellular (133)Cs(+) signal split into a septet, while the intracellular peak was unchanged, revealing different alignment/ordering properties of the environment inside and around the cells. Differential interference contrast light microscopy confirmed that the cells were stretched when the overall sample was elongated. Analysis of the various spectral features of (133)Cs(+) reported here opens up applications of this K(+) congener for studies of cation-handling by metabolically-active cells and tissues in aligned states. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Calcium spiking activity and baseline calcium levels in ROS 17/2.8 cells exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF).

    PubMed

    Shahidain, R; Mullins, R D; Sisken, J E

    2001-02-01

    To determine whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields can alter average free cytosolic calcium ion concentrations [Ca2+]i and transient increases in [Ca2+]i in populations of ROS 17/2.8 cells. Cells loaded with the calcium-selective luminescent photoprotein, aequorin, were placed in the bottom of a sample chamber, which was inserted into the gap of a previously described air gap reactor system where they were exposed either to sinusoidal magnetic fields at a variety of frequencies and flux densities or to sham conditions. Real-time recordings of photon counts due to aequorin luminescence were obtained and data were analysed with the use of probit plots. Probit plots of data obtained from cells exposed to the various magnetic fields were virtually superimposable over the data obtained for the same cultures during pre- and post-exposure sham or no-field periods. These experiments provided no evidence for any effects of ELF EMF, either positive or negative, on either average [Ca2+]i or on transient increases in [Ca2+]i.

  18. Orienting Paramecium with intense static magnetic fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Valles, James M., Jr.; Guevorkian, Karine; Quindel, Carl

    2004-03-01

    Recent experiments on cell division suggest the application of intense static magnetic fields as a novel tool for the manipulation of biological systems [1]. The magnetic field appears to couple to the intrinsic anisotropies in the diamagnetic components of the cells. Here, we present measurements of the intrinsic average diamagnetic anisotropy of the whole single celled ciliate, Paramecium Caudatum. Magnetic fields, 2.5 T < B < 8 T were applied to immobilized (non-swimming) Paramecium Caudatum that were suspended in a density matched medium. The organisms align with their long axis parallel to the applied magnetic field. Their intrinsic diamagnetic anisotropy is 3x10-11 in cgs units. We will discuss the implications of these results for employing magnetic fields to probe the behavior of swimming Paramecium. [1] J. M. Valles, Jr. et al., Expt. Cell Res.274, 112-118 (2002).

  19. Magnetic stem cell targeting to the inner ear

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Le, T. N.; Straatman, L.; Yanai, A.; Rahmanian, R.; Garnis, C.; Häfeli, U. O.; Poblete, T.; Westerberg, B. D.; Gregory-Evans, K.

    2017-12-01

    Severe sensorineural deafness is often accompanied by a loss of auditory neurons in addition to injury of the cochlear epithelium and hair cell loss. Cochlear implant function however depends on a healthy complement of neurons and their preservation is vital in achieving optimal results. We have developed a technique to target mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to a deafened rat cochlea. We then assessed the neuroprotective effect of systematically delivered MSCs on the survival and function of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). MSCs were labeled with superparamagnetic nanoparticles, injected via the systemic circulation, and targeted using a magnetized cochlea implant and external magnet. Neurotrophic factor concentrations, survival of SGNs, and auditory function were assessed at 1 week and 4 weeks after treatments and compared against multiple control groups. Significant numbers of magnetically targeted MSCs (>30 MSCs/section) were present in the cochlea with accompanied elevation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor levels (p < 0.001). In addition we saw improved survival of SGNs (approximately 80% survival at 4 weeks). Hearing threshold levels in magnetically targeted rats were found to be significantly better than those of control rats (p < 0.05). These results indicate that magnetic targeting of MSCs to the cochlea can be accomplished with a magnetized cochlear permalloy implant and an external magnet. The targeted stem cells release neurotrophic factors which results in improved SGN survival and hearing recovery. Combining magnetic cell-based therapy and cochlear implantation may improve cochlear implant function in treating deafness.

  20. Targeting FR-expressing cells in ovarian cancer with Fab-functionalized nanoparticles: a full study to provide the proof of principle from in vitro to in vivo

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Quarta, Alessandra; Bernareggi, Davide; Benigni, Fabio; Luison, Elena; Nano, Giuseppe; Nitti, Simone; Cesta, Maria Candida; di Ciccio, Luciano; Canevari, Silvana; Pellegrino, Teresa; Figini, Mariangela

    2015-01-01

    Efficient targeting in tumor therapies is still an open issue: systemic biodistribution and poor specific accumulation of drugs weaken efficacy of treatments. Engineered nanoparticles are expected to bring benefits by allowing specific delivery of drug to the tumor or acting themselves as localized therapeutic agents. In this study we have targeted epithelial ovarian cancer with inorganic nanoparticles conjugated to a human antibody fragment against the folate receptor over-expressed on cancer cells. The conjugation approach is generally applicable. Indeed several types of nanoparticles (either magnetic or fluorescent) were engineered with the fragment, and their biological activity was preserved as demonstrated by biochemical methods in vitro. In vivo studies with mice bearing orthotopic and subcutaneous tumors were performed. Elemental and histological analyses showed that the conjugated magnetic nanoparticles accumulated specifically and were retained at tumor sites longer than the non-conjugated nanoparticles.Efficient targeting in tumor therapies is still an open issue: systemic biodistribution and poor specific accumulation of drugs weaken efficacy of treatments. Engineered nanoparticles are expected to bring benefits by allowing specific delivery of drug to the tumor or acting themselves as localized therapeutic agents. In this study we have targeted epithelial ovarian cancer with inorganic nanoparticles conjugated to a human antibody fragment against the folate receptor over-expressed on cancer cells. The conjugation approach is generally applicable. Indeed several types of nanoparticles (either magnetic or fluorescent) were engineered with the fragment, and their biological activity was preserved as demonstrated by biochemical methods in vitro. In vivo studies with mice bearing orthotopic and subcutaneous tumors were performed. Elemental and histological analyses showed that the conjugated magnetic nanoparticles accumulated specifically and were retained at tumor sites longer than the non-conjugated nanoparticles. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr04426f

  1. Magnetically directed poly(lactic acid) [sup 90]Y-microspheres: Novel agents for targeted intracavitary radiotherapy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Haefeli, U.O.; Sweeney, S.M.; Beresford, B.A.

    1994-08-01

    High energy [beta]-emitting radioisotopes like Yttrium-90 have a radiotoxic range of about one centimeter. For cancer treatment they must be brought near the tumor cells and kept there for as long as they are radioactive. The authors developed as carriers for the ionic form of [sup 90]Y a matrix-type polymeric drug delivery system, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microspheres. This radiopharmaceutical could be selectively delivered to the target site after incorporating 10% Fe[sub 3]O[sub 4] which made the magnetic microspheres (MMS) responsive to an external magnetic field. Furthermore, MMS are biodegradable and slowly hydrolyze into physiologic lactic acid after the radioactivity ismore » completely decayed. Previously prepared 10--40 [mu]m MMS were radiochemically loaded to high specific activity with [sup 90]Y at a pH of 5.7. Stability studies showed that approximately 95% of added [sup 90]Y is retained within the PLA matrix after 28 days (> 10 half-lives) at 37 C in serum, and electron microscopy showed that the microspheres retained their characteristic morphologic appearance for the same time period. Cytotoxicity studies with SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells growing in monolayer showed that the radiocytotoxicity of the microspheres could be directed magnetically to either kill or spare specific cell populations, thus making them of great interest for targeted intracavitary tumor therapy. The authors are currently optimizing this system for use in the treatment of neoplastic meningitis.« less

  2. The Effect of Antitumor Glycosides on Glioma Cells and Tissues as Studied by Proton HR-MAS NMR Spectroscopy

    PubMed Central

    García-Álvarez, Isabel; Garrido, Leoncio; Romero-Ramírez, Lorenzo; Nieto-Sampedro, Manuel; Fernández-Mayoralas, Alfonso; Campos-Olivas, Ramón

    2013-01-01

    The effect of the treatment with glycolipid derivatives on the metabolic profile of intact glioma cells and tumor tissues, investigated using proton high resolution magic angle spinning (1H HR-MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, is reported here. Two compounds were used, a glycoside and its thioglycoside analogue, both showing anti-proliferative activity on glioma C6 cell cultures; however, only the thioglycoside exhibited antitumor activity in vivo. At the drug concentrations showing anti-proliferative activity in cell culture (20 and 40 µM), significant increases in choline containing metabolites were observed in the 1H NMR spectra of the same intact cells. In vivo experiments in nude mice bearing tumors derived from implanted C6 glioma cells, showed that reduction of tumor volume was associated with significant changes in the metabolic profile of the same intact tumor tissues; and were similar to those observed in cell culture. Specifically, the activity of the compounds is mainly associated with an increase in choline and phosphocholine, in both the cell cultures and tumoral tissues. Taurine, a metabolite that has been considered a biomarker of apoptosis, correlated with the reduction of tumor volume. Thus, the results indicate that the mode of action of the glycoside involves, at least in part, alteration of phospholipid metabolism, resulting in cell death. PMID:24194925

  3. Antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of isoprenylated coumarin mammea A/AA isolated from Mammea africana.

    PubMed

    Canning, Corene; Sun, Shi; Ji, Xiangming; Gupta, Smiti; Zhou, Kequan

    2013-05-02

    The stem bark of Mammea africana is widely distributed in tropical Africa and commonly used in traditional medicine. This study aims to identify the active compound in Mammea africana and to evaluate its antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity. Methanol extract from the bark of the Mammea africana was separated by liquid-liquid extraction, followed by open column chromatography. A principal antimicrobial compound was purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its structure was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). The antibacterial activity of the purified compound was determined using the broth microdilution method against 7 common pathogenic bacteria. The compound was also evaluated for cytotoxicity by cell proliferation assay (MTS) using the mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3 and the non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549. The purified active compound was determined to be mammea A/AA and was found to be highly active against Campylobacter jejuni (MIC=0.5 μg/ml), Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC=0.25 μg/ml), and Clostridium difficile (MIC=0.25 μg/ml). The compound exhibited significant antiproliferative activities against both NIH 3T3 and A549 cell lines. Mammea A/AA isolated from Mammea africana exerts specific inhibitory activity against Campylobacter jejuni, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Campylobacter difficile. Mammea A/AA was also found to exhibit significant cytotoxicity against both cancer and normal cell lines. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Mechanotransductive cascade of Myo-II-dependent mesoderm and endoderm invaginations in embryo gastrulation

    PubMed Central

    Mitrossilis, Démosthène; Röper, Jens-Christian; Le Roy, Damien; Driquez, Benjamin; Michel, Aude; Ménager, Christine; Shaw, Gorky; Le Denmat, Simon; Ranno, Laurent; Dumas-Bouchiat, Frédéric; Dempsey, Nora M.; Farge, Emmanuel

    2017-01-01

    Animal development consists of a cascade of tissue differentiation and shape change. Associated mechanical signals regulate tissue differentiation. Here we demonstrate that endogenous mechanical cues also trigger biochemical pathways, generating the active morphogenetic movements shaping animal development through a mechanotransductive cascade of Myo-II medio-apical stabilization. To mimic physiological tissue deformation with a cell scale resolution, liposomes containing magnetic nanoparticles are injected into embryonic epithelia and submitted to time-variable forces generated by a linear array of micrometric soft magnets. Periodic magnetically induced deformations quantitatively phenocopy the soft mechanical endogenous snail-dependent apex pulsations, rescue the medio-apical accumulation of Rok, Myo-II and subsequent mesoderm invagination lacking in sna mutants, in a Fog-dependent mechanotransductive process. Mesoderm invagination then activates Myo-II apical accumulation, in a similar Fog-dependent mechanotransductive process, which in turn initiates endoderm invagination. This reveals the existence of a highly dynamic self-inductive cascade of mesoderm and endoderm invaginations, regulated by mechano-induced medio-apical stabilization of Myo-II. PMID:28112149

  5. Mechanotransductive cascade of Myo-II-dependent mesoderm and endoderm invaginations in embryo gastrulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mitrossilis, Démosthène; Röper, Jens-Christian; Le Roy, Damien; Driquez, Benjamin; Michel, Aude; Ménager, Christine; Shaw, Gorky; Le Denmat, Simon; Ranno, Laurent; Dumas-Bouchiat, Frédéric; Dempsey, Nora M.; Farge, Emmanuel

    2017-01-01

    Animal development consists of a cascade of tissue differentiation and shape change. Associated mechanical signals regulate tissue differentiation. Here we demonstrate that endogenous mechanical cues also trigger biochemical pathways, generating the active morphogenetic movements shaping animal development through a mechanotransductive cascade of Myo-II medio-apical stabilization. To mimic physiological tissue deformation with a cell scale resolution, liposomes containing magnetic nanoparticles are injected into embryonic epithelia and submitted to time-variable forces generated by a linear array of micrometric soft magnets. Periodic magnetically induced deformations quantitatively phenocopy the soft mechanical endogenous snail-dependent apex pulsations, rescue the medio-apical accumulation of Rok, Myo-II and subsequent mesoderm invagination lacking in sna mutants, in a Fog-dependent mechanotransductive process. Mesoderm invagination then activates Myo-II apical accumulation, in a similar Fog-dependent mechanotransductive process, which in turn initiates endoderm invagination. This reveals the existence of a highly dynamic self-inductive cascade of mesoderm and endoderm invaginations, regulated by mechano-induced medio-apical stabilization of Myo-II.

  6. The application of magnets directs the orientation of neurite outgrowth in cultured human neuronal cells.

    PubMed

    Kim, Seungchan; Im, Woo-Seok; Kang, Lami; Lee, Soon-Tae; Chu, Kon; Kim, Byoung In

    2008-09-15

    Electric and magnetic fields have been known to influence cellular behavior. In the present study, we hypothesized that the application of static magnetic fields to neurons will cause neurites to grow in a specific direction. In cultured human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells or PC12 cells, neurite outgrowth was induced by forskolin, retinoic acid, or nerve growth factor (NGF). We applied static magnetic fields to the neurons and analyzed the direction and morphology of newly formed neuronal processes. In the presence of the magnetic field, neurites grew in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field, as revealed by the higher orientation index of neurites grown under the magnetic field compared to that of the neurites grown in the absence of the magnetic field. The neurites parallel to the magnetic field appeared to be dystrophic, beaded or thickened, suggesting that they would hinder further elongation processes. The co-localized areas of microtubules and actin filaments were arranged into the vertical axis to the magnetic field, while the levels of neurofilament and synaptotagmin were not altered. Our results suggest that the application of magnetic field can be used to modulate the orientation and direction of neurite formation in cultured human neuronal cells.

  7. Droplet-based gene expression analysis using a device with magnetic force-based-droplet-handling system.

    PubMed

    Okochi, Mina; Tsuchiya, Hiroyoshi; Kumazawa, Fumitaka; Shikida, Mitsuhiro; Honda, Hiroyuki

    2010-02-01

    A droplet-based cell lysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed on-chip employing magnetic force-based-droplet-handling system. The actuation with a magnet offers a simple system for droplet manipulation; it does not need mechanical fluidic systems such as pumps and valves for handling solutions. It can be used as a powerful tool for various biochemical applications by moving and coalescing sample droplets using magnetic beads immersed in mineral oil. The droplet containing magnetic beads and the cells were manipulated with the magnet located underneath the channel, and coalesced with a droplet of lysis buffer. Using K562 cells as the leukemia model, the cell lysis, cDNA synthesis, and amplification of WT1 gene that is known as the prognostic factor for acute leukemia were successfully performed from a single cell. Copyright (c) 2009 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Intrinsically superparamagnetic Fe-hydroxyapatite nanoparticles positively influence osteoblast-like cell behaviour

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Superparamagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been progressively explored for their potential in biomedical applications and in particular as a contrast agent for diagnostic imaging, for magnetic drug delivery and more recently for tissue engineering applications. Considering the importance of having safe MNPs for such applications, and the essential role of iron in bone remodelling, this study developed and analysed novel biocompatible and bioreabsorbable superparamagnetic nanoparticles, that avoid the use of poorly tolerated magnetite based nanoparticles, for bone tissue engineering applications. Results MNPs were obtained by doping hydroxyapatite (HA) with Fe ions, by directly substituting Fe2+ and Fe3+ into the HA structure yielding superparamagnetic bioactive phase. In the current study, we have investigated the effects of increasing concentrations (2000 μg/ml; 1000 μg/ml; 500 μg/ml; 200 μg/ml) of FeHA MNPs in vitro using Saos-2 human osteoblast-like cells cultured for 1, 3 and 7 days with and without the exposure to a static magnetic field of 320 mT. Results demonstrated not only a comparable osteoblast viability and morphology, but increased in cell proliferation, when compared to a commercially available Ha nanoparticles, even with the highest dose used. Furthermore, FeHA MNPs exposure to the static magnetic field resulted in a significant increase in cell proliferation throughout the experimental period, and higher osteoblast activity. In vivo preliminary results demonstrated good biocompatibility of FeHA superparamagnetic material four weeks after implantation into a critical size lesion of the rabbit condyle. Conclusions The results of the current study suggest that these novel FeHA MNPs may be particularly relevant for strategies of bone tissue regeneration and open new perspectives for the application of a static magnetic field in a clinical setting of bone replacement, either for diagnostic imaging or magnetic drug delivery. PMID:22828388

  9. Lab-on-Chip Cytometry Based on Magnetoresistive Sensors for Bacteria Detection in Milk

    PubMed Central

    Fernandes, Ana C.; Duarte, Carla M.; Cardoso, Filipe A.; Bexiga, Ricardo.; Cardoso, Susana.; Freitas, Paulo P.

    2014-01-01

    Flow cytometers have been optimized for use in portable platforms, where cell separation, identification and counting can be achieved in a compact and modular format. This feature can be combined with magnetic detection, where magnetoresistive sensors can be integrated within microfluidic channels to detect magnetically labelled cells. This work describes a platform for in-flow detection of magnetically labelled cells with a magneto-resistive based cell cytometer. In particular, we present an example for the validation of the platform as a magnetic counter that identifies and quantifies Streptococcus agalactiae in milk. PMID:25196163

  10. Lab-on-chip cytometry based on magnetoresistive sensors for bacteria detection in milk.

    PubMed

    Fernandes, Ana C; Duarte, Carla M; Cardoso, Filipe A; Bexiga, Ricardo; Cardoso, Susana; Freitas, Paulo P

    2014-08-21

    Flow cytometers have been optimized for use in portable platforms, where cell separation, identification and counting can be achieved in a compact and modular format. This feature can be combined with magnetic detection, where magnetoresistive sensors can be integrated within microfluidic channels to detect magnetically labelled cells. This work describes a platform for in-flow detection of magnetically labelled cells with a magneto-resistive based cell cytometer. In particular, we present an example for the validation of the platform as a magnetic counter that identifies and quantifies Streptococcus agalactiae in milk.

  11. Optical magnetic imaging of living cells

    PubMed Central

    Le Sage, D.; Arai, K.; Glenn, D. R.; DeVience, S. J.; Pham, L. M.; Rahn-Lee, L.; Lukin, M. D.; Yacoby, A.; Komeili, A.; Walsworth, R. L.

    2013-01-01

    Magnetic imaging is a powerful tool for probing biological and physical systems. However, existing techniques either have poor spatial resolution compared to optical microscopy and are hence not generally applicable to imaging of sub-cellular structure (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]1), or entail operating conditions that preclude application to living biological samples while providing sub-micron resolution (e.g., scanning superconducting quantum interference device [SQUID] microscopy2, electron holography3, and magnetic resonance force microscopy [MRFM]4). Here we demonstrate magnetic imaging of living cells (magnetotactic bacteria) under ambient laboratory conditions and with sub-cellular spatial resolution (400 nm), using an optically-detected magnetic field imaging array consisting of a nanoscale layer of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres implanted at the surface of a diamond chip. With the bacteria placed on the diamond surface, we optically probe the NV quantum spin states and rapidly reconstruct images of the vector components of the magnetic field created by chains of magnetic nanoparticles (magnetosomes) produced in the bacteria, and spatially correlate these magnetic field maps with optical images acquired in the same apparatus. Wide-field sCMOS acquisition allows parallel optical and magnetic imaging of multiple cells in a population with sub-micron resolution and >100 micron field-of-view. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the bacteria confirm that the correlated optical and magnetic images can be used to locate and characterize the magnetosomes in each bacterium. The results provide a new capability for imaging bio-magnetic structures in living cells under ambient conditions with high spatial resolution, and will enable the mapping of a wide range of magnetic signals within cells and cellular networks5, 6. PMID:23619694

  12. Coregistration of Magnetic Resonance and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Images for Noninvasive Localization of Stem Cells Grafted in the Infarcted Rat Myocardium

    PubMed Central

    Shen, Dinggang; Liu, Dengfeng; Cao, Zixiong; Acton, Paul D.; Zhou, Rong

    2008-01-01

    This paper demonstrates the application of mutual information based coregistration of radionuclide and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an effort to use multimodality imaging for noninvasive localization of stem cells grafted in the infarcted myocardium in rats. Radionuclide imaging such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) inherently has high sensitivity and is suitable for tracking of labeled stem cells, while high-resolution MRI is able to provide detailed anatomical and functional information of myocardium. Thus, coregistration of PET or SPECT images with MRI will map the location and distribution of stem cells on detailed myocardium structures. To validate this coregistration method, SPECT data were simulated by using a Monte Carlo-based projector that modeled the pinhole-imaging physics assuming nonzero diameter and photon penetration at the edge. Translational and rotational errors of the coregistration were examined with respect to various SPECT activities, and they are on average about 0.50 mm and 0.82°, respectively. Only the rotational error is dependent on activity of SPECT data. Stem cells were labeled with 111 Indium oxyquinoline and grafted in the ischemic myocardium of a rat model. Dual-tracer small-animal SPECT images were acquired, which allowed simultaneous detection of 111In-labeled stem cells and of [99mTc]sestamibi to assess myocardial perfusion deficit. The same animals were subjected to cardiac MRI. A mutual-information-based coregistration method was then applied to the SPECT and MRIs. By coregistration, the 111 In signal from labeled cells was mapped into the akinetic region identified on cine MRIs; the regional perfusion deficit on the SPECT images also coincided with the akinetic region on the MR image. PMID:17053860

  13. In vitro feasibility study of the use of a magnetic electrospun chitosan nanofiber composite for hyperthermia treatment of tumor cells.

    PubMed

    Lin, Ta-Chun; Lin, Feng-Huei; Lin, Jui-Che

    2012-07-01

    Hyperthermia has been reported to be an effective cancer treatment modality, as tumor cells are more temperature-sensitive than their normal counterparts. Since the ambient temperature can be increased by placing magnetic nanoparticles in an alternating magnetic field it has become of interest to incorporate these magnetic nanoparticles into biodegradable nanofibers for possible endoscopic hyperthermia treatment of malignant tumors. In this preliminary investigation we have explored various characteristics of biodegradable electrospun chitosan nanofibers containing magnetic nanoparticles prepared by different methods. These methods included: (1) E-CHS-Fe(3)O(4), with electrospun chitosan nanofibers directly immersed in a magnetic nanoparticle solution; (2) E-CHS-Fe(2+), with the electrospun chitosan nanofibers initially immersed in Fe(+2)/Fe(+3) solution, followed by chemical co-precipitation of the magnetic nanoparticles. The morphology and crystalline phase of the magnetic electrospun nanofiber matrices were determined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The magnetic characteristics were measured using a superconducting quantum interference device. The heating properties of these magnetic electrospun nanofiber matrices in an alternating magnetic field were investigated at a frequency of 750 kHz and magnetic intensity of 6.4 kW. In vitro cell incubation experiments indicated that these magnetic electrospun nanofiber matrices are non-cytotoxic and can effectively reduce tumor cell proliferation upon application of a magnetic field. Copyright © 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Magnetic Nanotweezers for Interrogating Biological Processes in Space and Time.

    PubMed

    Kim, Ji-Wook; Jeong, Hee-Kyung; Southard, Kaden M; Jun, Young-Wook; Cheon, Jinwoo

    2018-04-17

    The ability to sense and manipulate the state of biological systems has been extensively advanced during the past decade with the help of recent developments in physical tools. Unlike standard genetic and pharmacological perturbation techniques-knockdown, overexpression, small molecule inhibition-that provide a basic on/off switching capability, these physical tools provide the capacity to control the spatial, temporal, and mechanical properties of the biological targets. Among the various physical cues, magnetism offers distinct advantages over light or electricity. Magnetic fields freely penetrate biological tissues and are already used for clinical applications. As one of the unique features, magnetic fields can be transformed into mechanical stimuli which can serve as a cue in regulating biological processes. However, their biological applications have been limited due to a lack of high-performance magnetism-to-mechanical force transducers with advanced spatiotemporal capabilities. In this Account, we present recent developments in magnetic nanotweezers (MNTs) as a useful tool for interrogating the spatiotemporal control of cells in living tissue. MNTs are composed of force-generating magnetic nanoparticles and field generators. Through proper design and the integration of individual components, MNTs deliver controlled mechanical stimulation to targeted biomolecules at any desired space and time. We first discuss about MNT configuration with different force-stimulation modes. By modulating geometry of the magnetic field generator, MNTs exert pulling, dipole-dipole attraction, and rotational forces to the target specifically and quantitatively. We discuss the key physical parameters determining force magnitude, which include magnetic field strength, magnetic field gradient, magnetic moment of the magnetic particle, as well as distance between the field generator and the particle. MNTs also can be used over a wide range of biological time scales. By simply adjusting the amplitude and phase of the applied current, MNTs based on electromagnets allow for dynamic control of the magnetic field from microseconds to hours. Chemical design and the nanoscale effects of magnetic particles are also essential for optimizing MNT performance. We discuss key strategies to develop magnetic nanoparticles with improved force-generation capabilities with a particular focus on the effects of size, shape, and composition of the nanoparticles. We then introduce various strategies and design considerations for target-specific biomechanical stimulations with MNTs. One-to-one particle-receptor engagement for delivering a defined force to the targeted receptor and the small size of the nanoparticles are important. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of MNTs for manipulating biological functions and activities with various spatial (single molecule/cell to organisms) and temporal resolution (microseconds to days). MNTs have the potential to be utilized in many exciting applications across diverse biological systems spanning from fundamental biology investigations of spatial and mechanical signaling dynamics at the single-cell and systems levels to in vivo therapeutic applications.

  15. Antimicrobial peptide from mucus of Andrias davidianus: screening and purification by magnetic cell membrane separation technique.

    PubMed

    Pei, Jinjin; Jiang, Lei

    2017-07-01

    Andrias davidianus, the Chinese giant salamander, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many decades. However, no antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been described from A. davidianus until now. Here we describe a novel AMP (andricin 01) isolated from the mucus of A. davidianus. The peptide was recovered using an innovative magnetic cell membrane separation technique and was characterised using mass spectrometry and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Andricin 01 is comprised of ten amino acid residues with a total molecular mass of 955.1 Da. CD spectrum analysis gave results similar to the archetypal random coil spectrum, consistent with the three-dimensional rendering calculated by current bioinformatics tools. Andricin 01 was found to be inhibitory both to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, the peptide at the minimal bacterial concentration did not show cell cytotoxicity against human hepatocytes or renal cells and did not show haemolytic activity against red blood cells, indicating that is potentially safe and effective for human use. Andricin 01 shows promise as a novel antibacterial that may provide an insight into the development of new drugs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

  16. Nanomagnetic Levitation 3-D Cultures of Breast and Colorectal Cancers

    PubMed Central

    Bumpers, Harvey L.; Janagama, Dasharatham G.; Manne, Upender; Basson, Marc D.; Katkoori, Venkat

    2014-01-01

    Background Innovative technologies for drug discovery and development, cancer models, stem cell research, tissue engineering, and drug testing in various cell-based platforms require an application similar to the in vivo system. Materials and Methods We developed for the first time nanomagnetically levitated three dimensional (3-D) cultures of breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells using carbon encapsulated cobalt magnetic nanoparticles. BC and CRC xenografts grown in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were evaluated for N-cadherin and Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressions. These phenotypes were compared with 2-D cultures and 3-D cultures grown in a gel matrix. Results The BC and CRC cells grown by magnetic levitation formed microtissues. The levitated cultures had high viability and were maintained in culture for long periods of time. It has been observed that N-cadherin and EGFR activities were highly expressed in the levitated 3-D tumor spheres and xenografts of CRC and BC cells. Conclusions Nanomagnetically levitated 3-D cultures tend to form stable microtissues of BC and CRC and may be more feasible for a range of applications in drug discovery or regenerative medicine. PMID:25617973

  17. Cell sorting apparatus

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yen, Shiao-Ping S. (Inventor); Rembaum, Alan (Inventor); Molday, Robert S. (Inventor)

    1980-01-01

    Polymeric functional microspheres containing metal or metal compounds are formed by addition polymerization of a covalently bondable olefinic monomer such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate in the presence of finely divided metal or metal oxide particles, such as iron, gold, platinum or magnetite, which are embedded in the resulting microspheres. The microspheres can be covalently bonded to chemotherapeutic agents, antibodies, or other proteins providing a means for labeling or separating labeled cells. Labeled cells or microspheres can be concentrated at a specific body location such as in the vicinity of a malignant tumor by applying a magnetic field to the location and then introducing the magnetically attractable microspheres or cells into the circulatory system of the subject. Labeled cells can be separated from a cell mixture by applying a predetermined magnetic field to a tube in which the mixture is flowing. After collection of the labeled cells, the magnetic field is discontinued and the labeled sub-cell population recovered.

  18. 3D cellular structures and co-cultures formed through the contactless magnetic manipulation of cells on adherent surfaces.

    PubMed

    Abdel Fattah, Abdel Rahman; Mishriki, Sarah; Kammann, Tobias; Sahu, Rakesh P; Geng, Fei; Puri, Ishwar K

    2018-02-27

    A magnet array is employed to manipulate diamagnetic cells that are contained in paramagnetic medium to demonstrate for the first time the contactless bioprinting of three-dimensional (3D) cellular structures and co-cultures of breast cancer MCF-7 and endothelial HUVEC at prescribed locations on tissue culture treated well plates. Sequential seeding of different cell lines and the spatial displacement of the magnet array creates co-cultured cellular structures within a well without using physically intrusive well inserts. Both monotypic and co-culture experiments produce morphologically rich 3D cell structures that are otherwise absent in regular monolayer cell cultures. The magnetic contactless bioprinting of cells provides further insight into cell behaviour, invasion strategies and transformations that are useful for potential applications in drug screening, 3D cell culture formation and tissue engineering.

  19. New pharmacological strategies in rheumatic diseases.

    PubMed

    Schiotis, R E; Buzoianu, A D; Mureșanu, D F; Suciu, S

    2016-01-01

    Targeting the pathogenic pathway of chronic inflammation represents an unmet challenge for controlling disease activity, preventing functional disability, and maintaining an adequate quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases. Abatacept, a novel molecule that inhibits co-stimulation signal, induces an inhibitory effect on the T-cells. This will further interfere with the activity of several cell lines, leading to the normalization of the immune response. In the latest years, abatacept has been extensively investigated in studies of rheumatoid arthritis for which it was recently approved as a second line biologic treatment in Romania. This review presents the clinical efficacy of abatacept in several rheumatic diseases and highlights the safety profile of this biological agent. Abbreviations : ACR = American College of Rheumatology, ADR = Adverse drug reaction, APC = antigen presenting cell, ApS = psoriatic arthritis, CRP = C reactive protein, CTLA-4 = Cytotoxic T-Cell Lymphocyte Antigen-4, DAS = Disease activity score, DMARDs = Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, EMA = European Medicine Agency, EULAR = European League Against Rheumatism, FDA = Food and Drugs Administration, HBV = Hepatitis B virus, JIA = Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, LDA = low disease activity (LDA), MRI = magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MTX = methotrexate, RA = rheumatoid arthritis, RCT = randomized controlled trial, SS = Sjogren's syndrome, TCR = T cell receptor.

  20. Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of bioactive compound from aerial parts of Luffa acutangula against lung cancer cell line NCI-H460.

    PubMed

    Vanajothi, Ramar; Srinivasan, Pappu

    2015-01-01

    Luffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae) is widely used as a traditional medicine in India and was reported to possess various pharmacological activities including its anti-proliferative effects. In this study, the bioactive compound of ethanolic extract of L. acutangula (LA) was isolated using bioassay-guided approach. Five major fractions were collected and evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity against non-small cell lung cancer cells (NCI-H460). Among the test fractions, the fraction LA/FII effectively decreased the growth of cancer cells with IC50 values of 10 µg/ml concentration. Furthermore, it significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. The apoptogenic activity of fraction LA/FII was confirmed by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies. A single bioactive compound was isolated from the active faction, LA/FII and subsequently identified as 1,8 dihydroxy-4-methylanthracene 9,10-dione (compound 1) by comparing its spectral data [Ultraviolet (UV), Infrared (IR), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectroscopy (ESI-MS)] with literature values. This is the first report on the isolation of compound 1 from this plant.

  1. Unraveling the Complexity of the Evolution of the Sun's Photospheric Magnetic Field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hathaway, David H.

    2016-10-01

    Given the emergence of tilted, bipolar active regions, surface flux transport has been shown to reproduce much of the complex evolution of the Sun's photospheric magnetic field. Surface flux is transported by flows in the surface shear layer - the axisymmetric differential rotation and meridional flow and the non-axisymmetric convective motions (granules, supergranules, and giant cells). We have measured these flows by correlation tracking of the magnetic elements themselves, correlation tracking of the Doppler features (supergranules), and by direct Doppler measurements using SDO/HMI data. These measurements fully constrain (with no free parameters) the flows used in our surface flux transport code - the Advective Flux Transport or AFT code. Here we show the up-to-date evolution of these flows, their impact on the detailed evolution of the Sun's photospheric magnetic field, and predictions for what the polar fields will be at the next minimum in 2020.

  2. Effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Neuronal Networks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Unsal, Ahmet; Hadimani, Ravi; Jiles, David

    2013-03-01

    The human brain contains around 100 billion nerve cells controlling our day to day activities. Consequently, brain disorders often result in impairments such as paralysis, loss of coordination and seizure. It has been said that 1 in 5 Americans suffer some diagnosable mental disorder. There is an urgent need to understand the disorders, prevent them and if possible, develop permanent cure for them. As a result, a significant amount of research activities is being directed towards brain research. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a promising tool for diagnosing and treating brain disorders. It is a non-invasive treatment method that produces a current flow in the brain which excites the neurons. Even though TMS has been verified to have advantageous effects on various brain related disorders, there have not been enough studies on the impact of TMS on cells. In this study, we are investigating the electrophysiological effects of TMS on one dimensional neuronal culture grown in a circular pathway. Electrical currents are produced on the neuronal networks depending on the directionality of the applied field. This aids in understanding how neuronal networks react under TMS treatment.

  3. Synthesis and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of biocompatible branched copolymer nanocontrast agents.

    PubMed

    Jackson, Alexander W; Chandrasekharan, Prashant; Shi, Jian; Rannard, Steven P; Liu, Quan; Yang, Chang-Tong; He, Tao

    2015-01-01

    Branched copolymer nanoparticles (D(h) =20-35 nm) possessing 1,4,7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N″,N‴-tetraacetic acid macrocycles within their cores have been synthesized and applied as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nanosized contrast agents in vivo. These nanoparticles have been generated from novel functional monomers via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The process is very robust and synthetically straightforward. Chelation with gadolinium and preliminary in vivo experiments have demonstrated promising characteristics as MRI contrast agents with prolonged blood retention time, good biocompatibility, and an intravascular distribution. The ability of these nanoparticles to perfuse and passively target tumor cells through the enhanced permeability and retention effect is also demonstrated. These novel highly functional nanoparticle platforms have succinimidyl ester-activated benzoate functionalities within their corona, which make them suitable for future peptide conjugation and subsequent active cell-targeted MRI or the conjugation of fluorophores for bimodal imaging. We have also demonstrated that these branched copolymer nanoparticles are able to noncovalently encapsulate hydrophobic guest molecules, which could allow simultaneous bioimaging and drug delivery.

  4. Down-regulation of microRNA-451a facilitates the activation and proliferation of CD4+ T cells by targeting Myc in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

    PubMed

    Zeng, Zhipeng; Wang, Ke; Li, Yuanyuan; Xia, Ni; Nie, Shaofang; Lv, Bingjie; Zhang, Min; Tu, Xin; Li, Qianqian; Tang, Tingting; Cheng, Xiang

    2017-04-07

    CD4 + T cells are abnormally activated in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and might be associated with the immunopathogenesis of the disease. However, the underlying mechanisms of CD4 + T cell activation remain largely undefined. Our aim was to investigate whether the dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) was associated with CD4 + T cell activation in DCM. CD4 + T cells from DCM patients showed increased expression levels of CD25 and CD69 and enhanced proliferation in response to anti-CD3/28, indicating an activated state. miRNA profiling analysis of magnetically sorted CD4 + T cells revealed a distinct pattern of miRNA expression in CD4 + T cells from DCM patients compared with controls. The level of miRNA-451a (miR-451a) was significantly decreased in the CD4 + T cells of DCM patients compared with that of the controls. The transfection of T cells with an miR-451a mimic inhibited their activation and proliferation, whereas an miR-451a inhibitor produced the opposite effects. Myc was directly inhibited by miR-451a via interaction with its 3'-UTR, thus identifying it as an miR-451a target in T cells. The knockdown of Myc suppressed the activation and proliferation of T cells, and the expression of Myc was significantly up-regulated at the mRNA level in CD4 + T cells from patients with DCM. A strong inverse correlation was observed between the Myc mRNA expression and miR-451a transcription level. Our data suggest that the down-regulation of miR-451a contributes to the activation and proliferation of CD4 + T cells by targeting the transcription factor Myc in DCM patients and may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of DCM. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  5. Manipulating motions of targeted single cells in solution by an integrated double-ring magnetic tweezers imaging microscope.

    PubMed

    Wu, Meiling; Yadav, Rajeev; Pal, Nibedita; Lu, H Peter

    2017-07-01

    Controlling and manipulating living cell motions in solution hold a high promise in developing new biotechnology and biological science. Here, we developed a magnetic tweezers device that employs a combination of two permanent magnets in up-down double-ring configuration axially fitting with a microscopic objective, allowing a picoNewton (pN) bidirectional force and motion control on the sample beyond a single upward pulling direction. The experimental force calibration and magnetic field simulation using finite element method magnetics demonstrate that the designed magnetic tweezers covers a linear-combined pN force with positive-negative polarization changes in a tenability of sub-pN scale, which can be utilized to further achieve motion manipulation by shifting the force balance. We demonstrate an application of the up-down double-ring magnetic tweezers for single cell manipulation, showing that the cells with internalized paramagnetic beads can be selectively picked up and guided in a controlled fine motion.

  6. Manipulating motions of targeted single cells in solution by an integrated double-ring magnetic tweezers imaging microscope

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Meiling; Yadav, Rajeev; Pal, Nibedita; Lu, H. Peter

    2017-07-01

    Controlling and manipulating living cell motions in solution hold a high promise in developing new biotechnology and biological science. Here, we developed a magnetic tweezers device that employs a combination of two permanent magnets in up-down double-ring configuration axially fitting with a microscopic objective, allowing a picoNewton (pN) bidirectional force and motion control on the sample beyond a single upward pulling direction. The experimental force calibration and magnetic field simulation using finite element method magnetics demonstrate that the designed magnetic tweezers covers a linear-combined pN force with positive-negative polarization changes in a tenability of sub-pN scale, which can be utilized to further achieve motion manipulation by shifting the force balance. We demonstrate an application of the up-down double-ring magnetic tweezers for single cell manipulation, showing that the cells with internalized paramagnetic beads can be selectively picked up and guided in a controlled fine motion.

  7. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pipin, V. V.; Kosovichev, A. G.

    Recent helioseismology findings, as well as advances in direct numerical simulations of global dynamics of the Sun, have indicated that in each solar hemisphere meridional circulation may form more than one cell along the radius in the convection zone. In particular, recent helioseismology results revealed a double-cell structure of the meridional circulation. We investigate properties of a mean-field solar dynamo with such double-cell meridional circulation. The dynamo model also includes the realistic profile of solar differential rotation (including the tachocline and subsurface shear layer) and takes into account effects of turbulent pumping, anisotropic turbulent diffusivity, and conservation of magnetic helicity.more » Contrary to previous flux-transport dynamo models, we find that the dynamo model can robustly reproduce the basic properties of the solar magnetic cycles for a wide range of model parameters and circulation speeds. The best agreement with observations is achieved when the surface meridional circulation speed is about 12 m s{sup –1}. For this circulation speed, the simulated sunspot activity shows good synchronization with the polar magnetic fields. Such synchronization was indeed observed during previous sunspot Cycles 21 and 22. We compare theoretical and observed phase diagrams of the sunspot number and the polar field strength and discuss the peculiar properties of Cycle 23.« less

  8. Magneto-thermally responsive hydrogels for bladder cancer treatment: Therapeutic efficacy and in vivo biodistribution.

    PubMed

    Jaiswal, Manish K; Pradhan, Lina; Vasavada, Shaleen; De, Mrinmoy; Sarma, H D; Prakash, Anand; Bahadur, D; Dravid, Vinayak P

    2015-12-01

    Bladder cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer in modern medicine which despite recent progress has remained incurable and challenging for researchers. There is unmet need to address this endemic as the number of patients are growing by about 10,000 every year world-wide. Here, we report a minimally invasive magnetic chemotherapy method to address this problem where polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanostructures (MNS) are homogeneously embedded in thermally responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide, NIPAAm) hydrogels (HG). The system (HG-MNS) loaded with anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) incubated with cancer cell lines subjected to external radiofrequency (RF) field can remotely stimulate the release of drug smartly at the site. The in vitro efficacy investigated on bladder cancer (T-24) cell lines showed the potential of the system in dealing with the disease successfully. Further, the materials preferential accumulation via systemic delivery was studied using swiss mice model. Vital tissue organs like liver, lung and heart were analysed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A detail accounts of the materials optimization, cytotoxicity and anti-proliferation activity tests with apoptosis analysis by flow cytometry after RF exposure (250 kHz) to the cells and in vivo biodistribution data are discussed in the paper. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Genetically programmed superparamagnetic behavior of mammalian cells.

    PubMed

    Kim, Taeuk; Moore, David; Fussenegger, Martin

    2012-12-31

    Although magnetic fields and paramagnetic inorganic materials were abundant on planet earth during the entire evolution of living species the interaction of organisms with these physical forces remains a little-understood phenomenon. Interestingly, rather than being genetically encoded, organisms seem to accumulate and take advantage of inorganic nanoparticles to sense or react to magnetic fields. Using a synthetic biology-inspired approach we have genetically programmed mammalian cells to show superparamagnetic behavior. The combination of ectopic production of the human ferritin heavy chain 1 (hFTH1), engineering the cells for expression of an iron importer, the divalent metal ion transferase 1 (DMT1) and the design of an iron-loading culture medium to maximize cellular iron uptake enabled efficient iron mineralization in intracellular ferritin particles and conferred superparamagnetic behavior to the entire cell. When captured by a magnetic field the superparamagnetic cells reached attraction velocities of up to 30 μm/s and could be efficiently separated from complex cell mixtures using standard magnetic cell separation equipment. Technology that enables magnetic separation of genetically programmed superparamagnetic cells in the absence of inorganic particles could foster novel opportunities in diagnostics and cell-based therapies. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. PKM2 activation sensitizes cancer cells to growth inhibition by 2-deoxy-D-glucose

    PubMed Central

    Tee, Sui Seng; Park, Jae Mo; Hurd, Ralph E.; Brimacombe, Kyle R.; Boxer, Matthew B.; Massoud, Tarik F.; Rutt, Brian K.; Spielman, Daniel M.

    2017-01-01

    Cancer metabolism has emerged as an increasingly attractive target for interfering with tumor growth. Small molecule activators of pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 (PKM2) suppress tumor formation but have an unknown effect on established tumors. We demonstrate that TEPP-46, a PKM2 activator, results in increased glucose consumption, providing the rationale for combining PKM2 activators with the toxic glucose analog, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). Combination treatment resulted in reduced viability of a range of cell lines in standard cell culture conditions at concentrations of drugs that had no effect when used alone. This effect was replicated in vivo on established subcutaneous tumors. We further demonstrated the ability to detect acute metabolic differences in combination treatment using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Combination treated tumors displayed a higher pyruvate to lactate 13C-label exchange 2 hr post-treatment. This ability to assess the effect of drugs non-invasively may accelerate the implementation and clinical translation of drugs that target cancer metabolism. PMID:29207616

  11. Development of a microprocessing-assisted cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment method for human umbilical vein endothelial cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Terazono, Hideyuki; Kim, Hyonchol; Nomura, Fumimasa; Yasuda, Kenji

    2016-06-01

    We developed a microprocessing-assisted technique to select single-strand DNA aptamers that bind to unknown targets on the cell surface by modifying the conventional systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX). Our technique involves 1) the specific selection of target-cell-surface-bound aptamers without leakage of intracellular components by trypsinization and 2) cloning of aptamers by microprocessing-assisted picking of single cells using magnetic beads. After cell-SELEX, the enriched aptamers were conjugated with magnetic beads. The aptamer-magnetic beads conjugates attached to target cells were collected individually by microassisted procedures using microneedles under a microscope. After that, the sequences of the collected magnetic-bead-bound aptamers were identified. As a result, a specific aptamer for the surface of target cells, e.g., human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), was chosen and its specificity was examined using other cell types, e.g., HeLa cells. The results indicate that this microprocessing-assisted cell-SELEX method for identifying aptamers is applicable in biological research and clinical diagnostics.

  12. Design and development of a multifunctional nano carrier system for imaging, drug delivery, and cell targeting in cancer research

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cho, Hoon-Sung

    There has been an increasing need in the last decade for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer prior to the tumor mass becoming evident as anatomical anomaly. A major challenge in cancer diagnosis is to distinguish cancer cells from the surrounding, normal tissue. For early cancer diagnosis and treatment, a nano carrier system was designed and developed with key components uniquely structured according to biomedical and clinical requirements: targeting, drug storage capabilities, fluorescent emissions near the infrared range for in vivo imaging, and magnetic hyperthermia. For in vivo imaging, quantum dots with emissions near infrared range (˜800 nm) were conjugated onto the surface of carbon nanotubes and nanospheres consisting of a spherical polystyrene matrix (˜100 nm) and high fraction of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (˜10 nm) embedded. The QDs on these nano carriers exhibited intense visible emissions using fluorescent spectroscopy and successfully facilitated in vivo soft tissue imaging in mice. For drug storage, the chemotherapeutic agent, paclitaxel (PTX) was loaded onto the surfaces of these nano-carriers by using a layer of biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). A cell-based cytotoxicity assay was employed to verify successful loading of pharmacologically active drug, PTX. Cell viability of human, metastatic PC3mm2 prostate cancer cells was assessed in the presence and absence of various nano-carrier populations using the MTT assay. For hyperthermia, Fe3O 4 nanoparticles were conjugated onto the surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and embedded into the nanospheres. Magnetization measurements showed nearly reversible hysteresis curves from the Fe3O4-conjugated CNTs and the magnetic nanospheres (MNS). Application of an alternating electromagnetic field effectively induced heating the solution of the Fe3O 4-conjugated CNTs and the magnetic nanospheres (MNS) into temperature ranges (up to 55ºC) suitable for therapeutic hyperthermia. PTX loaded nanocarrier systems were, then, developed by conjugating anti-Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (anti-PSMA) for in vitro and in vivo targeting. Specific detection studies of anti-PSMA-conjugated nano carrier systems binding activity in LNCaP prostate cancer cells were carried out. Substantial differences were observed between the targeted- and nontargeted nano carriers. LNCaP cells were targeted successfully by the conjugation of anti-PSMA on the nano carrier surfaces. To explore in vivo targeting, the nano carriers conjugated with anti-PSMA were intravenously injected into nude mice bearing a human prostate cancer cell (LNCaP). Upon post-injection, significant fluorescence attributed to the nano-carrier system was detected, indicating substantial uptake in the region of the tumor.

  13. All-In-One: Advanced preparation of Human Parenchymal and Non-Parenchymal Liver Cells.

    PubMed

    Werner, Melanie; Driftmann, Sabrina; Kleinehr, Kathrin; Kaiser, Gernot M; Mathé, Zotlan; Treckmann, Juergen-Walter; Paul, Andreas; Skibbe, Kathrin; Timm, Joerg; Canbay, Ali; Gerken, Guido; Schlaak, Joerg F; Broering, Ruth

    2015-01-01

    Liver cells are key players in innate immunity. Thus, studying primary isolated liver cells is necessary for determining their role in liver physiology and pathophysiology. In particular, the quantity and quality of isolated cells are crucial to their function. Our aim was to isolate a large quantity of high-quality human parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells from a single liver specimen. Hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and stellate cells were isolated from liver tissues by collagenase perfusion in combination with low-speed centrifugation, density gradient centrifugation, and magnetic-activated cell sorting. The purity and functionality of cultured cell populations were controlled by determining their morphology, discriminative cell marker expression, and functional activity. Cell preparation yielded the following cell counts per gram of liver tissue: 2.0 ± 0.4 × 10(7) hepatocytes, 1.8 ± 0.5 × 10(6 )Kupffer cells, 4.3 ± 1.9 × 10(5) liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and 3.2 ± 0.5 × 10(5) stellate cells. Hepatocytes were identified by albumin (95.5 ± 1.7%) and exhibited time-dependent activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Kupffer cells expressed CD68 (94.5 ± 1.2%) and exhibited phagocytic activity, as determined with 1 μm latex beads. Endothelial cells were CD146(+) (97.8 ± 1.1%) and exhibited efficient uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Hepatic stellate cells were identified by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (97.1 ± 1.5%). These cells further exhibited retinol (vitamin A)-mediated autofluorescence. Our isolation procedure for primary parenchymal and non-parenchymal liver cells resulted in cell populations of high purity and quality, with retained physiological functionality in vitro. Thus, this system may provide a valuable tool for determining liver function and disease.

  14. Optical Manipulation of Single Magnetic Beads in a Microwell Array on a Digital Microfluidic Chip.

    PubMed

    Decrop, Deborah; Brans, Toon; Gijsenbergh, Pieter; Lu, Jiadi; Spasic, Dragana; Kokalj, Tadej; Beunis, Filip; Goos, Peter; Puers, Robert; Lammertyn, Jeroen

    2016-09-06

    The detection of single molecules in magnetic microbead microwell array formats revolutionized the development of digital bioassays. However, retrieval of individual magnetic beads from these arrays has not been realized until now despite having great potential for studying captured targets at the individual level. In this paper, optical tweezers were implemented on a digital microfluidic platform for accurate manipulation of single magnetic beads seeded in a microwell array. Successful optical trapping of magnetic beads was found to be dependent on Brownian motion of the beads, suggesting a 99% chance of trapping a vibrating bead. A tailor-made experimental design was used to screen the effect of bead type, ionic buffer strength, surfactant type, and concentration on the Brownian activity of beads in microwells. With the optimal conditions, the manipulation of magnetic beads was demonstrated by their trapping, retrieving, transporting, and repositioning to a desired microwell on the array. The presented platform combines the strengths of digital microfluidics, digital bioassays, and optical tweezers, resulting in a powerful dynamic microwell array system for single molecule and single cell studies.

  15. Magnetic hyperthermia and pH-responsive effective drug delivery to the sub-cellular level of human breast cancer cells by modified CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Oh, Yunok; Moorthy, Madhappan Santha; Manivasagan, Panchanathan; Bharathiraja, Subramaniyan; Oh, Junghwan

    2017-02-01

    Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) have been extensively utilized in a wide range of biomedical applications including magnetic hyperthermia agent. To improve the efficiency of the MNPs in therapeutic applications, in this study, we have synthesized CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles and its surface was further functionalized with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). The anticancer agent, Doxorubucin (DOX) was conjugated with CoFe 2 O 4 @DMSA nanoparticle to evaluate the combined effects of thermotherapy and chemotherapy. The drug delivery efficiency of the DOX loaded CoFe 2 O 4 @DMSA nanoparticles were examined based on magnetically triggered delivery of DOX into the subcellular level of cancer cells by using MDA-MB-231 cell line. The amine part of the DOX molecules were effectively attached through an electrostatic interactions and/or hydrogen bonding interactions with the carboxylic acid groups of the DMSA functionalities present onto the surface of the CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. The DOX loaded CoFe 2 O 4 @DMSA nanoparticles can effectively uptake with cancer cells via typical endocytosis process. After endocytosis, DOX release from CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles was triggered by intracellular endosomal/lysosomal acidic environments and the localized heat can be generated under an alternating magnetic field (AMF). In the presence of AMF, the released DOX molecules were accumulated with high concentrations into the subcellular level at a desired sites and exhibited a synergistic effect of an enhanced cell cytotoxicity by the combined effects of thermal-chemotherapy. Importantly, pH- and thermal-responsive Dox-loaded CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles induced significant cellular apoptosis more efficiently mediated by active mitochondrial membrane and ROS generation than the free Dox. Thus, the Dox-loaded CoFe 2 O 4 @DMSA nanoparticles can be used as a potential therapeutic agent in cancer therapy by combining the thermo-chemotherapy techniques. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  16. Synergistic interactions between temporal coupling of complex light and magnetic pulses upon melanoma cell proliferation and planarian regeneration.

    PubMed

    Murugan, Nirosha J; Karbowski, Lukasz M; Persinger, Michael A

    2017-01-01

    Synergisms between a physiologically patterned magnetic field that is known to enhance planarian growth and suppress proliferation of malignant cells in culture and three light emitting diode (LED) generated visible wavelengths (blue, green, red) upon planarian regeneration and melanoma cell numbers were discerned. Five days of hourly exposures to either a physiologically patterned (2.5-5.0 μT) magnetic field, one of three wavelengths (3 kLux) or both treatments simultaneously indicated that red light (680 nm), blue light (470 nm) or the magnetic field significantly facilitated regeneration of planarian compared to sham field exposed planarian. Presentation of both light and magnetic field conditions enhanced the effect. Whereas the blue and red light diminished the growth of malignant (melanoma) cells, the effect was not as large as that produced by the magnetic field. Only the paired presentation of the blue light and magnetic field enhanced the suppression. On the other hand, the changes following green light (540 nm) exposure did not differ from the control condition and green light presented with the magnetic field eliminated its effects for both the planarian and melanoma cells. These results indicate specific colors affect positive adaptation that is similar to weak, physiologically patterned frequency modulated (8-24 Hz) magnetic fields and that the two forms of energy can synergistically summate or cancel.

  17. Extremely low frequency (ELF) stray magnetic fields of laboratory equipment: a possible co-exposure conducting experiments on cell cultures.

    PubMed

    Gresits, Iván; Necz, Péter Pál; Jánossy, Gábor; Thuróczy, György

    2015-09-01

    Measurements of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields were conducted in the environment of commercial laboratory equipment in order to evaluate the possible co-exposure during the experimental processes on cell cultures. Three types of device were evaluated: a cell culture CO2 incubator, a thermostatic water bath and a laboratory shaker table. These devices usually have electric motors, heating wires and electronic control systems, therefore may expose the cell cultures to undesirable ELF stray magnetic fields. Spatial distributions of magnetic field time domain signal waveform and frequency spectral analysis (FFT) were processed. Long- and short-term variation of stray magnetic field was also evaluated under normal use of investigated laboratory devices. The results show that the equipment under test may add a considerable ELF magnetic field to the ambient environmental magnetic field or to the intentional exposure to ELF, RF or other physical/chemical agents. The maximum stray magnetic fields were higher than 3 µT, 20 µT and 75 µT in the CO2 incubator, in water bath and on the laboratory shaker table, respectively, with high variation of spatial distribution and time domain. Our investigation emphasizes possible confounding factors conducting cell culture studies related to low-level ELF-EMF exposure due to the existing stray magnetic fields in the ambient environment of laboratory equipment.

  18. Microfluidic immunomagnetic cell separation from whole blood.

    PubMed

    Bhuvanendran Nair Gourikutty, Sajay; Chang, Chia-Pin; Puiu, Poenar Daniel

    2016-02-01

    Immunomagnetic-based separation has become a viable technique for the separation of cells and biomolecules. Here we report on the design and analysis of a simple and efficient microfluidic device for high throughput and high efficiency capture of cells tagged with magnetic particles. This is made possible by using a microfluidic chip integrated with customized arrays of permanent magnets capable of creating large magnetic field gradients, which determine the effective capturing of the tagged cells. This method is based on manipulating the cells which are under the influence of a combination of magnetic and fluid dynamic forces in a fluid under laminar flow through a microfluidic chip. A finite element analysis (FEA) model is developed to analyze the cell separation process and predict its behavior, which is validated subsequently by the experimental results. The magnetic field gradients created by various arrangements of magnetic arrays have been simulated using FEA and the influence of these field gradients on cell separation has been studied with the design of our microfluidic chip. The proof-of-concept for the proposed technique is demonstrated by capturing white blood cells (WBCs) from whole human blood. CD45-conjugated magnetic particles were added into whole blood samples to label WBCs and the mixture was flown through our microfluidic device to separate the labeled cells. After the separation process, the remaining WBCs in the elute were counted to determine the capture efficiency, and it was found that more than 99.9% WBCs have been successfully separated from whole blood. The proposed design can be used for positive selection as well as for negative enrichment of rare cells. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Magnetic resonance investigation of magnetic-labeled baker's yeast cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Godoy Morais, J. P. M.; Azevedo, R. B.; Silva, L. P.; Lacava, Z. G. M.; Báo, S. N.; Silva, O.; Pelegrini, F.; Gansau, C.; Buske, N.; Safarik, I.; Safarikova, M.; Morais, P. C.

    2004-05-01

    In this study, the interaction of DMSA-coated magnetite nanoparticles (5 and 10 nm core-size) with Saccharomyces cerevisae was investigated using magnetic resonance (MR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM micrographs revealed magnetite nanoparticles attached externally to the cell wall. The MR data support the strong interaction among the nanoparticles supported by the cells. A remarkable shift in the resonance field was used as signature of particle attachment to the cell wall.

  20. Varying the effective buoyancy of cells using magnetic force

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guevorkian, Karine; Valles, James M.

    2004-06-01

    We introduce a magnetic force buoyancy variation (MFBV) technique that employs intense inhomogeneous magnetic fields to vary the effective buoyancy of cells and other diamagnetic systems in solution. Nonswimming Paramecia have been suspended, forced to sediment and driven to rise in solution using MFBV. Details of their response to MFBV have been used to determine the magnetic susceptibility of a single Paramecium. The use of MFBV as a means by which to suspend cell cultures indefinitely is also described.

Top