Recent Advances in Magnetic‐Nanomaterial‐Based Mechanotransduction for Cell Fate Regulation

Abstract

Remote control of cells and the regulation of cell events at the molecular level are of great interest in the biomedical field. In addition to chemical compounds and genes, mechanical forces play a pivotal role in regulating cell fate, which have prompted the rapid growth of mechanobiology. From a perspective of nanotechnology, magnetic nanomaterials (MNs) are an appealing option for mechanotransduction due to their capabilities in spatiotemporal manipulation of mechanical forces via the magnetic field. As a newly developed paradigm, magneto-mechanotransduction is harnessed to physically regulate cell fate for biomedical applications. Here, the critical factors that determine the magnetomechanical forces induced by MNs in mechanotransduction are briefly reviewed. Recent innovative approaches and their underlying mechanisms for controlling cell fate are highlighted, which offer possibilities for the remote mechanical manipulation of cells and biomolecules in a precise manner. Promising applications including regenerative medicine and cancer treatment based on magnetomechanical stimulation through MNs are also addressed. Perspectives and challenges in MN-based mechanotransduction are commented.

Remote Control of Mechanical Forces via Mitochondrial‐Targeted Magnetic Nanospinners for Efficient Cancer Treatment

“…To assess the value of the torque that can be produced by the magnetic field, a single chain of N assembled nanocubes was assumed and the mechanical force was calculated (Figure S7, Supporting Information). The magnitude of the rotating force generated by the elongated nanocubes with 1 µm was estimated to be 12 pN, which could be enough to manipulate the mechanical‐sensitive biomolecules . However, the magnitude of the force generated by 1 µm elongated aggregate of 10 nm nanocubes was estimated to be 4 pN due to the smaller saturation magnetization, resulting in lower biological effects (Figure S8, Supporting Information).…”

“…Mechanical forces play an important role for cells to sense their physical environment and modulate cellular functions . Special attention has been given to the magnetomechanical control of cell fate in recent years . Magnetic field, with a spatiotemporal controllability and deep tissue penetration, provides an ideal noninvasive physical approach for cancer treatment .…”

“…MNPs can convert the energy of magnetic fields into mechanical forces via remote interaction between nanoparticles and the applied magnetic fields . In this condition, MNPs have shown the capability to damage cancer cells via magnetic manipulation of mechanical forces . The magnitude of mechanical forces is positively correlated to the size of the magnetic particles, which, in turn, can affect the mechanodestruction efficiency on the cancer cells.…”

Magnetic Nanomaterials for Advanced Regenerative Medicine: The Promise and Challenges

“…As nanoscale magnetic field signal receivers and convertors, MIONs can transform the external electromagnetic energy into mechanical energy . It has been reported that manipulation of mechanically sensitive biomolecules needs a force in the range of piconewtons (pN) . According to magnetic dipole model and Ampere's circuital theory, when a gradient magnetic field is applied to MIONs, they not only rotate their magnetic moment in parallel to the applied magnetic field due to magnetic torque, but they are also attracted into regions of higher magnetic field by a translational force .…”

“…The force depends on the magnetic field and magnetic moment, and is in particular sensitive to MIONs rotations due to magnetic torque. Mathematically, the torque τ on an MION is proportional both to the applied field and magnetic moment: τ = m × B , where “×” represents the vector cross‐product …”