Triggering the activation of activin A type II receptor in human adipose stem cells towards tenogenic commitment using mechanomagnetic stimulation

Tendon injuries are a considerable problem worldwide and increases with aging. Available treatments fail to fully restore tendon’s functionality and stem cell therapies could be an alternative approach to stimulate tendon regeneration and homeostasis. Mechanosensitive membrane receptors can be stimulated by the presence of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) through magnetic remotely actuation, activating stem cells towards controlled cellular responses [1]. Activins are members of the TGF-β superfamily which participate in regulation of several biological processes. Upon activation, the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 is induced allowing translocation of the complex to the nucleus, regulating the transcription of scleraxis and tenomodulin genes driving differentiation.