Electromagnetic wireless remote control of mammalian transgene expression

PAPER manual Nature Nanotechnology 2025 Animal study Effect: benefit Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-01929-w Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering Tags: electromagnetic fields, transgene expression, wireless control, nanotechnology, ROS, gene therapy, biosensors DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-01929-w URL: nature.com Overview Communication between wireless field receivers and biological sensors remains a key constraint in the development of wireless electronic devices for minimally invasive medical monitoring and biomedical applications involving gene and cell therapies. Innovation This study describes a nanoparticle-cell interface that enables electromagnetic programming of wireless expression regulation (EMPOWER) of transgenes. This is achieved via the biosafe generation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). - Multiferroic nanoparticles are coated with chitosan to improve biocompatibility. - These nanoparticles generate ROS in the cytoplasm of cells in response to a low-frequency (1-kHz) magnetic field. - Overexpressed ROS-responsive KEAP1/NRF2 biosensors detect the generated ROS and are connected to synthetic ROS-responsive promoters to drive transgene expression. Findings In a proof-of-concept study, subcutaneously implanted alginate-microencapsulated cells stably expressing an EMPOWER-controlled insulin expression system successfully normalized blood-glucose levels in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes in response to a weak magnetic field. Conclusion The research demonstrates a wireless and minimally invasive approach to regulate gene expression in vivo using electromagnetic fields, mediated by biocompatible nanoparticles and ROS-sensitive biosensors. This highlights a direct link between electromagnetic field exposure and physiological regulation at the molecular and cellular level, underscoring the potential health and therapeutic implications of EMF exposure.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

benefit

Population

Mouse model of type 1 diabetes (subcutaneously implanted alginate-microencapsulated cells)

Sample size

—

Exposure

ELF other

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Multiferroic nanoparticles (chitosan-coated) generated cytoplasmic ROS in response to a low-frequency (1-kHz) magnetic field, which was detected by ROS-responsive KEAP1/NRF2 biosensors linked to synthetic promoters to drive transgene expression. In a proof-of-concept mouse model of type 1 diabetes, implanted cells with an EMPOWER-controlled insulin system normalized blood-glucose levels in response to a weak magnetic field.

Outcomes measured

Transgene expression regulation (insulin expression)
Blood-glucose levels normalization
Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Exposure intensity and duration not specified in provided abstract/metadata
Proof-of-concept design; generalizability beyond the described model not stated

Suggested hubs

other (0.4)
Biomedical/therapeutic use of low-frequency magnetic fields to control gene expression via nanoparticles; no specific portal hub provided in prompt matches this topic.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Mouse model of type 1 diabetes (subcutaneously implanted alginate-microencapsulated cells)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Transgene expression regulation (insulin expression)",
        "Blood-glucose levels normalization",
        "Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Multiferroic nanoparticles (chitosan-coated) generated cytoplasmic ROS in response to a low-frequency (1-kHz) magnetic field, which was detected by ROS-responsive KEAP1/NRF2 biosensors linked to synthetic promoters to drive transgene expression. In a proof-of-concept mouse model of type 1 diabetes, implanted cells with an EMPOWER-controlled insulin system normalized blood-glucose levels in response to a weak magnetic field.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
        "Exposure intensity and duration not specified in provided abstract/metadata",
        "Proof-of-concept design; generalizability beyond the described model not stated"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "magnetic field",
        "1-kHz",
        "ELF",
        "wireless control",
        "transgene expression",
        "nanoparticles",
        "multiferroic nanoparticles",
        "chitosan",
        "reactive oxygen species",
        "ROS",
        "KEAP1",
        "NRF2",
        "biosensor",
        "synthetic promoter",
        "insulin",
        "type 1 diabetes",
        "mouse"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "other",
            "weight": 0.40000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Biomedical/therapeutic use of low-frequency magnetic fields to control gene expression via nanoparticles; no specific portal hub provided in prompt matches this topic."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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