Magnetic Field Intervention Enhances Cellular Migration Rates in Biological Scaffolds

Abstract

The impact of magnetic fields on cellular function is diverse but can be described at least in part by the radical pair mechanism (RPM), where magnetic field intervention alters reactive oxygen species (ROS) populations and downstream cellular signaling. Here, cellular migration within three-dimensional scaffolds was monitored in an applied oscillating 1.4 MHz radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field with an amplitude of 10 µT and a static 50 µT magnetic field. Given that cellular bioenergetics can be altered based on applied RF magnetic fields, this study focused on a magnetic field configuration that increased cellular respiration. Results suggest that RF accelerated cell clustering and elongation after 1 day, with increased levels of clustering and cellular linkage after 7 days. Cell distribution analysis within the scaffolds revealed that the clustering rate during the first day was increased nearly five times in the RF environment. Electron microscopy provided additional topological information and verified the development of fibrous networks, with a cell-derived matrix (CDM) visualized after 7 days in samples maintained in RF. This work demonstrates time-dependent cellular migration that may be influenced by quantum biology (QB) processes and downstream oxidative signaling, enhancing cellular migration behavior.

Keywords: 3D bioscaffolds; cellular migration; computer vision; image analysis; magnetic mitohormesis; quantum biology; radical pair mechanism.

Figure 1

QB illustration of cellular spatial–temporal domains that link the RPM, ROS, and QBC cellular timing in living systems. (i) RPM singlet–triplet mixing is altered by resonant frequencies and redistributes ROS products for oxidative signaling. (ii) The activation of molecular oxygen by reduced flavins is the site of ROS generation. (iii) Oxidative signaling readjusts mitochondria bioenergetics between glycolysis and respiration. (iv) Downstream magnetic field intervention can accelerate cellular migration.

Figure 2

(Top) Nuclei and cytoskeleton staining demonstrating the distribution of cells (i) initially after construct synthesis, (ii) after 1 day at 50 μT, and (iii) after 7 days at 50 μT. (Bottom) Nuclei and cytoskeleton staining demonstrating the distribution of cells (iv) initially after construct synthesis, (v) after 1 day at 50 μT + RF, and (vi) after 7 days at 50 μT + RF. The scale bars are 100 µm.

Figure 3

(Top) Sample SEM images taken at 200× of (i) cellular constructs on day 1 and (ii) cellular constructs on day 7. Both constructs shown were maintained in the static 50 μT magnetic field incubator. (Bottom) Sample SEM images taken at 200× for (iii) cellular constructs on day 1 and 500× for (iv) cellular constructs on day 7. Both constructs shown were maintained in the static 50 μT magnetic field with 1.4 MHz incubator. The key feature is the CDM web formed in the cavities in (iv) and absent in (ii).