A Critical Review on Selected External Physical Cues and Modulation of Cell Behavior: Magnetic Nanoparticles, Non-thermal Plasma and Lasers

Abstract

Physics-based biomedical approaches have proved their importance for the advancement of medical sciences and especially in medical diagnostics and treatments. Thus, the expectations regarding development of novel promising physics-based technologies and tools are very high. This review describes the latest research advances in biomedical applications of external physical cues. We overview three distinct topics: using high-gradient magnetic fields in nanoparticle-mediated cell responses; non-thermal plasma as a novel bactericidal agent; highlights in understanding of cellular mechanisms of laser irradiation. Furthermore, we summarize the progress, challenges and opportunities in those directions. We also discuss some of the fundamental physical principles involved in the application of each cue. Considerable technological success has been achieved in those fields. However, for the successful clinical translation we have to understand the limitations of technologies. Importantly, we identify the misconceptions pervasive in the discussed fields.

Biomedical Applications of Biomaterials Functionalized with Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…Magnetic scaffolds have been tested both in vitro and in vivo, using animal models, demonstrating that they can transduce an external magnetic signal in mechanical stimulation to the cells attached to the biomaterial surface ( Figure 1) [1][2][3][4]. MagS have been investigated for bone, cartilage, cardiovascular and neuronal regeneration, and repair [2].…”

“…where K a is the magnetic anisotropy energy per unit volume in Jm À3 and V m is the MNP volume in nm 3 .…”

“…Nanotechnologies aim to ease and to satisfy the needs of regenerative medicine 1 by providing multifunctional, theranostic, and stimuli-responsive biomaterials [1,2]. In particular, stimuli-responsive biomaterials such as magneto-responsive biomaterials are devices capable of reacting to an external magnetic field spatiotemporally in a specific way [3]. This powerful class of biomaterials is a promising candidate as active and therapeutic scaffolds for advanced drug delivery and tissue regeneration applications [3,4].…”

“…The mechanical stimulation of injured tissues using magneto-responsive scaffolds found application in bone tissue engineering, where static magnetic field (SMF) or low-frequency magnetic field is used to elicit osteoprogenitor cells [1][2][3][4].…”

“…To date, magnetic scaffolds have been synthesized and characterized in terms of chemical and physical properties while proving experimentally their powerful and promising potential in regenerative medicine and oncology [1][2][3][4]. However, to translate the use of these nanostructured biomaterials in the clinical practice, several limitations have to be overcome, and further investigations are required to predict their behavior [4].…”