Magnetic nanowires substrate increases adipose-derived mesenchymal cells osteogenesis.

Magnetic nanomaterials are increasingly impacting the field of biology and medicine. Their versatility in terms of shape, structure, composition, coating, and magnetic responsivity make them attractive for drug delivery, cell targeting and imaging. Adipose derived-mesenchymal cells (ASCs) are intensely scrutinized for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, differentiation into musculoskeletal lineages can be challenging. In this paper, we show that uncoated nickel nanowires (Ni NW) partially released from their alumina membrane offer a mechanically-responsive substrate with regular topography that can be used for the delivery of magneto-mechanical stimulation. We have used a tailored protocol for improving ASCs adherence to the substrate, and showed that cells retain their characteristic fibroblastic appearance, cytoskeletal fiber distribution and good viability. We report here for the first time significant increase in osteogenic but not adipogenic differentiation of ASCs on Ni NW exposed to 4 mT magnetic field compared to non-exposed. Moreover, magnetic actuation is shown to induce ASCs osteogenesis but not adipogenesis in the absence of external biochemical cues. While these findings need to be verified in vivo, the use of Ni NW substrate for inducing osteogenesis in the absence of specific differentiation factors is attractive for bone engineering. Implant coating with similar surfaces for orthopedic and dentistry could be as well envisaged as a modality to improve osteointegration.

Nanowarming using Au-tipped Co35Fe65 ferromagnetic nanowires.

Ferromagnetic Co35Fe65, Fe, Co, and Ni nanowires have high saturation magnetizations (Ms) and magnetic anisotropies, making them ideal for magnetic heating in an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Here, Au-tipped nanowires were coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and specific absorption rates (SAR) were measured in glycerol. SAR increased when using metals with increasing Ms (Co35Fe65 > Fe > Co > Ni), reaching 1610 ± 20 W g-1 metal at 1 mg metal per ml glycerol for Co35Fe65 nanowires using 190 kHz and 20 kA m-1. Aligning these nanowires parallel to the AMF increased SAR up to 2010 W g-1 Co35Fe65. Next, Co35Fe65 nanowires were used to nanowarm vitrified VS55, a common cryoprotective agent (CPA).Nanowarming rates up to 1000 °C min-1 (5 mg Co35Fe65 per ml VS55) were achieved, which is 20× faster than the critical warming rate (50 °C min-1) for VS55 and other common CPAs. Human dermal fibroblast cells exposed to VS55, and Co35Fe65 nanowire concentrations of 0, 1 and 2.5 mg Fe per ml all showed similar cell viability, indicating that the nanowires had minimal cytotoxicity. With the ability to provide rapid and uniform heating, ferromagnetic nanowires have excellent potential for nanowarming cryopreserved tissues.