Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Mediated Forces Enhance the Migration of Schwann Cells Across the Astrocyte-Schwann Cell Boundary In vitro.

ABSTRACT: Schwann cells (SCs) are one of the most promising cellular candidates for the treatment of spinal cord injury. However, SCs show poor migratory ability within the astrocyte-rich central nervous system (CNS) environment and exhibit only limited integration with host astrocytes. Our strategy for improving the therapeutic potential of SCs was to magnetically drive SCs to migrate across the astrocyte-SC boundary to intermingle with astrocytes. SCs were firstly magnetized with poly-L-lysine-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). Internalization of SPIONs showed no effect upon the migration of SCs in the absence of a magnetic field (MF). In contrast, magnetized SCs exhibited enhanced migration along the direction of force in the presence of a MF. An inverted coverslip assay

SUBMITTER: Huang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5368970 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature