Effects of low frequency electromagnetic fields on the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been shown to exert beneficial effects on cartilage tissue. Nowadays, differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are discussed as an alternative approach for cartilage repair. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of EMF on hMSCs during chondrogenic differentiation. HMSCs at cell passages five and six were differentiated in pellet cultures in vitro under the addition of human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) and human transforming growth factor-β(3) (TGF-β(3) ). Cultures were exposed to homogeneous sinusoidal extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (5 mT) produced by a solenoid or were kept in a control system. After 3 weeks of culture, chondrogenesis was assessed by toluidine blue and safranin-O staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for cartilage-specific proteins, and a DMMB dye-binding assay for glycosaminoglycans. Under EMF, hMSCs showed a significant increase in collagen type II expression at passage 6. Aggrecan and SOX9 expression did not change significantly after EMF exposure. Collagen type X expression decreased under electromagnetic stimulation. Pellet cultures at passage 5 that had been treated with EMF provided a higher glycosaminoglycan (GAG)/DNA content than cultures that had not been exposed to EMF. Chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs may be improved by EMF regarding collagen type II expression and GAG content of cultures. EMF might be a way to stimulate and maintain chondrogenesis of hMSCs and, therefore, provide a new step in regenerative medicine regarding tissue engineering of cartilage.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Cultures exposed to homogeneous sinusoidal extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (5 mT) showed a significant increase in collagen type II expression at passage 6, no significant change in aggrecan or SOX9 expression, and decreased collagen type X expression. Passage 5 pellet cultures exposed to EMF had higher GAG/DNA content than unexposed cultures. The authors conclude EMF may improve aspects of chondrogenic differentiation (collagen type II expression and GAG content).

Outcomes measured

• Chondrogenesis (toluidine blue and safranin-O staining)
• Immunohistochemistry outcomes (cartilage-related markers)
• Gene expression by qRT-PCR (collagen type II, aggrecan, SOX9, collagen type X)
• Glycosaminoglycan content (DMMB dye-binding assay; GAG/DNA content)

Limitations

• Frequency of the extremely low-frequency magnetic field not reported in the abstract
• Sample size not reported in the abstract
• In vitro study; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "solenoid",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "3 weeks"
    },
    "population": "Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in pellet cultures (passages 5 and 6) undergoing chondrogenic differentiation in vitro",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Chondrogenesis (toluidine blue and safranin-O staining)",
        "Immunohistochemistry outcomes (cartilage-related markers)",
        "Gene expression by qRT-PCR (collagen type II, aggrecan, SOX9, collagen type X)",
        "Glycosaminoglycan content (DMMB dye-binding assay; GAG/DNA content)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Cultures exposed to homogeneous sinusoidal extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (5 mT) showed a significant increase in collagen type II expression at passage 6, no significant change in aggrecan or SOX9 expression, and decreased collagen type X expression. Passage 5 pellet cultures exposed to EMF had higher GAG/DNA content than unexposed cultures. The authors conclude EMF may improve aspects of chondrogenic differentiation (collagen type II expression and GAG content).",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency of the extremely low-frequency magnetic field not reported in the abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
        "In vitro study; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low-frequency magnetic field",
        "ELF",
        "5 mT",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "human mesenchymal stem cells",
        "hMSCs",
        "chondrogenic differentiation",
        "cartilage",
        "collagen type II",
        "collagen type X",
        "aggrecan",
        "SOX9",
        "glycosaminoglycans",
        "tissue engineering"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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