title: Activation of Schwann cells in vitro by magnetic nanocomposites via applied magnetic field.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhongyang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Liangliang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Beier
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Miaomiao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yafeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Teng
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jinghui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhuojing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005994:Glycerophosphates / Q000737:chemistry; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D020933:Neurotrophin 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D016062:Porosity; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C495041:Gdnf protein, rat; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D005994:Glycerophosphates; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D011108:Polymers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Schwann cell; cell proliferation; magnetic field; nanocomposite