Magnetic nanoparticles potential for stem cell functionalization

Stem cells have the capacity to migrate within tissues to damaged areas. The ability to remotely monitor and manipulate cells encouraging their precise positioning to desired sites for tissue regeneration would have a potential impact in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Cell monitoring and cell localization can be potentially achieved by the internalization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in the cells. This might allow for the investigation of migratory patterns through tracking studies, the targeting of particle-labeled cells to desired locations via the application of an external magnetic field and, finally, for activation stem cells to initiate various cellular responses to induce the differentiation [1]. The application of a magnetic field can then enhance biological performance through the stimulation of cell proliferation, migration and differentiation.

This study focus on determining the effect of magnetic stimulation in human adipose stem cells (hASCs) behavior in order to establish the interactions between MNPs uptake by the cell, the MNPs concentrations, and magnitude/frequency of the external magnetic field during the internalization process.