Playing with Biophysics: How a Symphony of Different Electromagnetic Fields Acts to Reduce the Inflammation in Diabetic Derived Cells

Abstract

Several factors, such as ischemia, infection and skin injury impair the wound healing process. One common pathway in all these processes is related to the reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose production plays a vital role in wound healing. In this view, several strategies have been developed to stimulate the activation of the antioxidative system, thereby reducing the damage related to oxidative stress and improving wound healing. For this purpose, complex magnetic fields (CMFs) are used in this work on fibroblast and monocyte cultures derived from diabetic patients in order to evaluate their influence on the ROS production and related wound healing properties. Biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, mitochondrial ROS production and gene expression have been evaluated. The results confirm the complete biocompatibility of the treatment and the lack of side effects on cell physiology following the ISO standard indication. Moreover, the results confirm that the CMF treatment induced a reduction in the ROS production, an increase in the macrophage M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype through the activation of miRNA 5591, a reduction in inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, an increase in anti-inflammatory ones, such as IL-10 and IL-12 and an increase in the markers related to improved wound healing such as collagen type I and integrins. In conclusion, our findings encourage the use of CMFs for the treatment of diabetic foot.

Unraveling the potential of 3D bioprinted immunomodulatory materials for regulating macrophage polarization: State-of-the-art in bone and associated tissue regeneration

“…In addition to biomaterials properties, including stiffness/elasticity, topography, and porosity, various biophysical simulations have also been shown to modulate cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation [ [333] , [334] , [335] , [336] ]. For instance, electric field (EF) [ 246 , 337 , 338 ], magnetic field (MF) [ 339 ], hydrostatic pressure [ 340 ], and electromagnetic field (EMF) [ 341 ] can also be used to stimulate biomaterials for dynamic immunomodulation and regeneration. Various electro active polymers (EAPs) and magneto-active polymers (MAPs) or their composites have been extensively studied in the past few years for understanding mechanobiological cues of cell adhesion and differentiation [ [342] , [343] , [344] ].…”

Effects of Ultra-Weak Fractal Electromagnetic Signals on Malassezia furfur

“…As interesting as these results may be, further in vivo studies are necessary to understand the physicochemical processes triggered by these fields. Promising examples utilizing similar approaches are currently in the making and concern the use of pulsed magnetic field treatment for diabetic cells [ 34 ] and narrow-band electromagnetic field exposure in containing COVID-19 [ 35 ] as well as altering the proton density and ATP synthase rotation in the context of mitochondrial dysfunction, as often observed in tumour biology [ 36 ]. In fact, tumour-treating fields are already used in some medical fields.…”

“…The authors back then concluded that the biological response is frequency rather than power dependent. In a recently published study [ 34 ], the authors reported statistically significant cellular responses with pulsed magnetic field stimuli in the range from 1–250 μT with frequencies in the range from 1–250 Hz. Such pulses can be used to induce tissue regeneration on chronic and difficult-healing wounds.…”

Modulation of macrophages by biophysical cues in health and beyond

“…These exposed macrophages showed decreased ROS production, an enhanced M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype, and decreases in IL-1 and IL-6 production, alongside upregulation of collagen type I and integrins. This suggests application of magnetic fields would, for example, improve healing of diabetic ulcers [ 45 ].…”