title: The application of magnets directs the orientation of neurite outgrowth in cultured human neuronal cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Seoul Science High School, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seungchan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Woo-Seok
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Lami
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Soon-Tae
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Byoung In
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008870:Microtubules / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D005576:Colforsin; D014212:Tretinoin; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor