FIGURE 2.

(A) Dynamic and reversible modulation of matrix stiffness using magnetic NPs and external magnetic fields influence the activity of MSCs (adapted from Abdeen et al., 2016). A magnetic field allows for the directed assembly of magnetic particles into chains, stiffening the mechanical properties of the microenvironment, resulting in MSCs with increased area. (B) Internalized magnetic NPs in salivary gland-derived cells accelerate spheroid formation by an external magnetic field, yielding faster and more reproducible spheroids with lower necrosis (Ferreira et al., 2019). (C) Internalized magnetic NPs allow remote manipulation of embryoid bodies and direct the differentiation of embryonic stem cells toward a mesodermal cardiac identity (adapted from Du et al., 2017). A cyclic magnetic field results in highest expression of mesoderm marker Nkx2.5 compared to a static magnetic field. (D) Magnetic NPs conduct remote mechanotransduction by (targeting mechanosensitive channels and receptors on cellular membranes (Henstock et al., 2014). Functionalized magnetic NPs designed to target the mechanosensitive TREK1 ion channel and integrins by RGD coating on hMSCs were injected in an ex vivo chick fetal femur. The combination of stimulation with BMP2 and oscillating magnetic field increased mineralization volume and density in targeted cells. *** indicates p < 0.001.)