Magnetostatic Field System for uniform cell cultures exposure

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 20;8(8):e72341. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072341. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

The aim of the present work has been the design and the realization of a Magnetostatic Field System for Exposure of Cell cultures (MaFiSEC) for the uniform and the reproducible exposure of cell cultures to static magnetic fields (SMFs) of moderate magnetic induction. Experimental and computer-simulated physical measurements show that MaFiSEC: i) generates a SMF with magnetic induction that can be chosen in the range of 3 to 20 mT; ii) allows the uniform SMF exposure of cells growing in adhesion and in suspension; iii) is cheap and easy to use. The efficacy and reproducibility of MaFiSEC has been tested by comparing the biological effects exerted on isolated human lymphocytes by 72 h of exposure to a magnet (i.e. Neodymium Magnetic Disk, NMD) placed under the culture Petri dish. Lymphocytes morphology, viability, cell death, oxidative stress and lysosomes activity were the parameters chosen to evaluate the SMF biological effects. The continuous exposure of cells to a uniform SMF, achieved with MaFiSEC, allows highly reproducible biochemical and morphological data.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Death
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Magnetic Fields*
  • Magnets
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Reproducibility of Results

Grants and funding

The authors have no funding or support to report.