[nanoPost] Magnetic nanoparticles in tissue engineering

Company UK

The company are developing revolutionary tissue engineering products by using magnetic nanoparticles to overcome major problems associated with the ex vivo growth of human tissues and cells.

The technique can activate targeted ion-channel cell receptors remotely without the need for drugs or other biochemical stimuli. The technology has multiple applications in controlling and targeting therapy in a wide range of diseases.

Our first product will be to repair cartilage damage caused by trauma and osteoarthritis. This will result in an out-patient procedure that will be significantly simpler and more cost effective than current treatments.

The technology

The company has developed a novel patented technology for controlling cell activity using magnetic nanoparticles and targeted magnetic fields.

The technique can activate specific cell receptors remotely without the need for drugs or other biochemical stimuli. It has already been shown to aid in cartilage production by controlling stem cell differentiation into chondrocytes, both in vitro and in vivo, and will have multiple applications in controlling and targeting therapy in a wide range of diseases.

Nanoparticles with a magnetic core, coated with a biocompatible layer, are tagged with one or more protein binding motifs. The tagged nanoparticles bind to ion-channels or other mechano-sensitive receptors within cells. Our initial work has tagged mechano-sensitive potassium channels, calcium channels and intracellular networks. By subjecting the cells to a time-varying magnetic field, the magnetic particles are displaced, which causes the specific receptor to be opened. The receptor activation then leads to a series of downstream signalling cascades, which in turn leads to protein regulation and controlled cell responses.

The nanoparticles consist of a core magnetic material encased in a protective coating to minimise corrosion. An organic linker provides an interface between the particle and the biomolecule which is used to attach the particle to the cell.

The particles are typically 10nm to 1μm in diameter. On average 5-15 particles bind to a cell. Many similar types of particles have therefore already been approved for in vivo use, removing a significant regulatory risk from the adoption of the technology.

Cartilage repair

Each year, over 15 million people worldwide suffer from failure of the knee-joint alone. In the USA, it is estimated that insurance providers pay $41 billion annually to treat joint deterioration. Key amongst the diseases causing cartilage deterioration is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects nearly 21 million people in the USA, accounting for 25% of GP visits. It is estimated that 80% of the population will have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis by age 65. Treatments for cartilage problems are limited especially for osteoarthritis.

The product

The company's first product will be for cartilage repair to treat both traumatic cartilage injuries and arthritis.

The company has demonstrated the growth of cartilage from human mesenchymal stem cells and the target­ing of such stem cells to the site of injury using its patented technology. This will lead to new treatments with significant benefits over current approaches:

- Treatment regimen

- Extract autologous stem cells
- Purify and attach magnetic nanoparticles
- Inject into injury site
- Apply cyclic magnetic force externally

Benefits

- Out-patient procedure
- Broad indications:
- Osteoarthritis
- Traumatic cartilage injury
- Simple treatment regimen