title: Induction of Calcium Influx in Cortical Neural Networks by Nanomagnetic Forces.
abstract: Nanomagnetic force stimulation with ferromagnetic nanoparticles was found to trigger calcium influx in cortical neural networks without observable cytotoxicity. Stimulated neural networks showed an average of 20% increment in calcium fluorescence signals and a heightened frequency in calcium spiking. These effects were also confined spatially to areas with engineered high magnetic field gradients. Furthermore, blockage of N-type calcium channels inhibited the stimulatory effects of the nanomagnetic forces, suggesting the role of mechano-sensitive ion channels in mediating calcium influx.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, ‡California Nanosystems Institute, and §Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California , Los Angeles, California 90025, United States.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, ‡California Nanosystems Institute, and §Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California , Los Angeles, California 90025, United States.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kunze
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, ‡California Nanosystems Institute, and §Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California , Los Angeles, California 90025, United States.
authors.forename: Coleman
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, ‡California Nanosystems Institute, and §Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California , Los Angeles, California 90025, United States.
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Carlo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D020864:Calcium Channels, N-Type; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D002118:Calcium
keywords: calcium imaging; conditioned media; cortical neurons; ferromagnetic nanoparticles; magnetic forces; mechano-sensitive ion channels