These targeting agents use nucleic acid aptamers conjugated with magnetic nanoparticles to target cell surface receptors that make it possible to remotely control cell signaling for stem cell differentiation, apoptosis or tissue matrix production. Processes such as apoptosis, cell division, motility, stem cell differentiation and tissue formation are fundamental in cancer therapy and regenerative medicine, a rapidly expanding market due to industry-wide focus on organ and cartilage repair. The regenerative medicine market is expected to increase to $67.6 billion in 2020. Available technologies often use activating proteins on cell receptors, which diminish external control of activation and cell signaling. By bonding nucleic aptamers to magnetic particles, University of Florida researchers have designed molecules that can target very specific cell surface receptors in a controlled manner for stem cell differentiation, apoptosis and tissue matrix production. Aptamers target specific cell receptors and create a bond without activating the cell receptor. Conjugating the aptamers with a magnetic core allows for external control via magnetic fields and radiofrequencies. Ex vivo and in vivo tissue generation and stem cell therapies are likely products using this combination.
Nucleic aptamers/magnetic nanoparticle conjugates for remote control of cell signaling for stem cell differentiation, apoptosis and tissue matrix production
Magnetic control of cells and biological channels is helping advance regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This combination of nucleic aptamers with magnetic nanoparticles heightens the ability to control those processes. Designed to target very specific receptors, the specially designed nucleic aptamers are ideal targeting molecules. Binding the aptamer to a receptor does not in itself activate the receptor, a drawback of proteins, peptides and antibodies typically used as targeting molecules. Once bonded to a magnetic core, the cell surface receptor and its associated signaling pathway is controllable via magnetic fields. Researchers are able to apply external static, high gradient magnetic fields or radiofrequency fields to activate cell surface receptors, remotely controlling cell signaling and association behaviors such as apoptosis, cell division, motility, stem cell differentiation and tissue formation.
