Magnetotherapy: The quest for tendon regeneration

Abstract

Tendons are mechanosensitive tissues that connect and transmit the forces generated by muscles to bones by allowing the conversion of mechanical input into biochemical signals. These physical forces perform the fundamental work of preserving tendon homeostasis assuring body movements. However, overloading causes tissue injuries, which leads us to the field of tendon regeneration. Recently published reviews have broadly shown the use of biomaterials and different strategies to attain tendon regeneration. In this review, our focus is the use of magnetic fields as an alternative therapy, which has demonstrated clinical relevance in tendon medicine because of their ability to modulate cell fate. Yet the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms still need to be elucidated. While providing a brief outlook about specific signalling pathways and intracellular messengers as framework in play by tendon cells, application of magnetic fields as a subcategory of physical forces is explored, opening up a compelling avenue to enhance tendon regeneration. We outline here useful insights on the effects of magnetic fields both at in vitro and in vivo levels, particularly on the expression of tendon genes and inflammatory cytokines, ultimately involved in tendon regeneration. Subsequently, the potential of using magnetically responsive biomaterials in tendon tissue engineering is highlighted and future directions in magnetotherapy are discussed.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Negative Effect of 16 T High Static Magnetic Field on Osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 Cells

“…Because of these reasons, we initially performed cytological assays on RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells to determine whether HiSMF can cause different cellular phenotypes of RAW264.7 cells. Consistent with our previous results [4,18,28], the amount of TRAP-positive RAW264.7 cells signifi-cantly reduced in HiSMF. Moreover, the RAW264.7 cells proliferation was also decreased in HiSMF associated with the G1 phase arresting.…”

“…Especially, HiSMF has been considered as a regulator in bone metabolism, such as bone formation and bone resorption [27]. Bone [18,28]. However, most studies focused on osteoblast because of its important role in bone formation, and few studies were related to osteoclast, which is responsible for bone resorption.…”

“…However, most studies focused on osteoblast because of its important role in bone formation, and few studies were related to osteoclast, which is responsible for bone resorption. Recently, our previous [4,17,18,28]. Although, there were a few studies that reported the differential expression genes of osteoclasts responding to HiSMF exposure, the systematical gene expression change at the transcriptome level was not clear.…”

An anisotropic nanocomposite hydrogel guides aligned orientation and enhances tenogenesis of human tendon stem/progenitor cells

“…Magnetotherapy for tendon regeneration 36 is a rapidly increasing field based on the use of magnetically responsive biomaterials as well as the direct application of magnetic fields to tendon cells, thus generating physical forces that can modulate their activity and fate. For potential clinical translation of the nanocomposite hydrogels, it is important to carry out clinically relevant preclinical studies.…”

Integrative Medicine: A Health Paradigm of the Future

“…Since this domain is based on the energy flow, other therapies are applied, like Heliotherapy (use of sun and other light radiations for systemic or topical therapies), 103,104 Magnetotherapy (effect of magnetic fields in healing, i.e. enhancing effectiveness of breast cancer therapy, tendon regeneration, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), [105][106][107] and Chromotherapy (color as a therapeutic option, because it is not challenged by proportion-shape-line-texture therapies and contribute significantly in the treatment of psychological trauma). [108][109][110] Physical Manipulation Therapies The techniques that involve physical manipulation are ancient healing procedures known to many cultures as bone setter or similar, but the technification and academic literature based on clinical evidence are relatively new.…”