Oscillating Magnet Array-Based Nanomagnetic Gene Transfection of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

Aim: In this work, the potential of nanomagnetic transfection of primary human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and the effects of a novel nonviral oscillating magnet array system in enhancing transfection efficiency were investigated. Materials & methods: Green fluorescent protein plasmids coupled to magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were introduced onto hMSCs in culture. Magnetic fields generated by arrays of neodymium iron boron magnets positioned below the culture plates direct the MNP/DNA complexes into contact with the cells. The magnet arrays were oscillated, promoting more efficient endocytosis via mechanical stimulation. Green fluorescent protein expression, cell viability and stem cell surface markers were assayed. Results: MNP/DNA complexes were delivered into hMSCs, and the oscillating magnet array system appears to improve transfection efficiency as well as cell viability. The expression of hMSC-specific cell surface markers was unaffected. Conclusion: Nonviral transfection using MNPs and oscillating magnet arrays offers a more efficient and ‘cell-friendly’ method of transfecting hMSCs than other nonviral techniques, while preserving their stem cell characteristics.

Keywords::

• magnetic field
• magnetic nanoparticle
• nanomagnetic gene transfection
• nonviral gene transfection

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council. A Fouriki acknowledges the support of nanoTherics Ltd (Stoke-on-Trent, UK) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (PhD sponsors). J Dobson is a founder, director and shareholder in nanoTherics. Mesenchymal stem cells were derived from fully-certified bone marrow aspirate purchased from Lonza (MD, USA) and all experiments were approved by the Genetic Modification of Microorganisms Safety Committee, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University (Keele, UK). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the UK Medical Research Council. A Fouriki acknowledges the support of nanoTherics Ltd (Stoke-on-Trent, UK) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (PhD sponsors). J Dobson is a founder, director and shareholder in nanoTherics. Mesenchymal stem cells were derived from fully-certified bone marrow aspirate purchased from Lonza (MD, USA) and all experiments were approved by the Genetic Modification of Microorganisms Safety Committee, Guy Hilton Research Centre, Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University (Keele, UK). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.