title: Magnetic targeting as a strategy to enhance therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells.
abstract: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively investigated in the field of regenerative medicine. It is known that the success of MSC-based therapies depends primarily on effective cell delivery to the target site where they will secrete vesicles and soluble factors with immunomodulatory and potentially reparative properties. However, some lesions are located in sites that are difficult to access, such as the heart, spinal cord, and joints. Additionally, low MSC retention at target sites makes cell therapy short-lasting and, therefore, less effective. In this context, the magnetic targeting technique has emerged as a new strategy to aid delivery, increase retention, and enhance the effects of MSCs. This approach uses magnetic nanoparticles to magnetize MSCs and static magnetic fields to guide them in vivo, thus promoting more focused, effective, and lasting retention of MSCs at the target site. In the present review, we discuss the magnetic targeting technique, its principles, and the materials most commonly used; we also discuss its potential for MSC enhancement, and safety concerns that should be addressed before it can be applied in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luisa H A
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Vermont Lung Center, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Ave. Given, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil. prmrocco@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Patricia R M
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Rocco
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells; D044968:Regenerative Medicine
chemical_list: D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles
keywords: Biocompatibility; Cell therapy; Magnetic devices; Magnetic targeting; Mesenchymal stromal cells; Superparamagnetic nanoparticles