Controlling Neuronal Cell Signaling within Three-Dimensional Magnetic Nanocomposites

Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with diameter of 20-25 nm dissipate heat when exposed to weak alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) with amplitudes &lt;50 mT and frequencies of 100-600 kHz. This heat can be exploited to activate cells that have thermally sensitive ion channels on their membrane via magnetothermal modulation. AMF has a high penetration rate with no deleterious effects, and therefore suitable for the activation of cells within deep organs in the body. Iron oxide nanoparticles are biocompatible and being utilized in different biomedical applications, including drug delivery, cell signaling and imaging.<br/>We exploit the magnetothermal approach to control calcium signaling in cells within deep organs and with a minimally invasive scheme. While the common approach of magnetothermal stimulation exploits MNPs in the form of ferrofluid, my lab recently pioneered a new design of a three-dimensional nanocomposite that can examine cell signaling under thermal effects in microenvironment that is suitable for cell organization and functionalities. We introduce a novel concept for the field of bioelectronic medicine with new materials design and in-depth nanocomposite characterization. One intriguing target of the magnetothermal approach is the heat sensitive ion channel, the transient receptor potential vanilliod 1 (TRPV1), the capsaicin receptor. TRPV1 is a non-selective cation channel that is calcium-permeable and can be activated by heat with temperature threshold above 42 Celsius. Previous studies have demonstrated the expression of TRPV1 in various peripheral organs as well as sensory neurons. We use this model to demonstrate our approach of cells activation in three-dimensional magnetic nanocomposites.