Uncovering the effect of low-frequency static magnetic field on tendon-derived cells: from mechanosensing to tenogenesis

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 8;7(1):10948. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11253-6.

Abstract

Magnetotherapy has been receiving increased attention as an attractive strategy for modulating cell physiology directly at the site of injury, thereby providing the medical community with a safe and non-invasive therapy. Yet, how magnetic field influences tendon cells both at the cellular and molecular levels remains unclear. Thus, the influence of a low-frequency static magnetic field (2 Hz, 350 mT) on human tendon-derived cells was studied using different exposure times (4 and 8 h; short-term studies) and different regimens of exposure to an 8h-period of magnetic stimulation (continuous, every 24 h or every 48 h; long-term studies). Herein, 8 h stimulation in short-term studies significantly upregulated the expression of tendon-associated genes SCX, COL1A1, TNC and DCN (p < 0.05) and altered intracellular Ca2+ levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, every 24 h regimen of stimulation significantly upregulated COL1A1, COL3A1 and TNC at day 14 in comparison to control (p < 0.05), whereas continuous exposure differentially regulated the release of the immunomodulatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-10 (p < 0.001) but only at day 7 in comparison to controls. Altogether, these results provide new insights on how low-frequency static magnetic field fine-tune the behaviour of tendon cells according to the magnetic settings used, which we foresee to represent an interesting candidate to guide tendon regeneration.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Adult Stem Cells / radiation effects
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Decorin / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Fields*
  • Male
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular
  • Regeneration
  • Tenascin / metabolism
  • Tendons / cytology
  • Tendons / metabolism
  • Tendons / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • Cytokines
  • DCN protein, human
  • Decorin
  • SCX protein, human
  • TNC protein, human
  • Tenascin
  • Calcium