Effects of electromagnets on bovine corneal endothelial cells treated with dendrimer functionalized magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

To improve bovine corneal endothelial cell (BCEC) migration, enhance cell energy, and facilitate symmetric cell distribution in corneal surfaces, an electromagnet device was fabricated. Twenty nanometer superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) functionalized with fourth-generation dendrimer macromolecules were synthesized, and their size and structure were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results confirmed the configuration of the dendrimer on the SPION surfaces. In vitro biocompatibility was assessed using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. No significant toxicity was noted on BCECs within 24 h of incubation. In the cell migration assay, cells treated with dendrimer-coated SPIONs exhibited a relatively high wound healing rate under sample addition (1 µg/mL) under a magnetic field. Real-time PCR on BCECs treated with dendrimer-coated SPIONs revealed upregulation of specific genes, including AT1P1 and NCAM1, for BCECs-dendrimer-coated SPIONs under a magnetic field. The three-dimensional dispersion of BCECs containing dendrimer-coated SPIONs under a magnetic field was evaluated using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The results revealed the BCECs-SPION vortex pattern layers in the corneal surface corresponded to the electromagnet’s displacement from the ocular surface. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated that dendrimer-coated SPIONs can be used as a T2 contrast agent.