Static magnetic field accelerates aging and development in nematode

A Static Magnetic Field Inhibits the Migration and Telomerase Function of Mouse Breast Cancer Cells

Static magnetic field (SMF) has a potential as a cancer therapeutic modality due to its specific inhibitory effects on the proliferation of multiple cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear, and just a few studies have examined the effects of SMF on metastasis, an important concern in cancer treatment. In this study, we evaluated the effects of moderate SMF (~150 mT) on the proliferation and migration of 4T1 breast cancer cells. Our results showed that SMF treatment accelerated cell proliferation but inhibited cell migration. Further, SMF treatment shortened the telomere length, decreased telomerase activity, and inhibited the expression of the cancer-specific marker telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), which may be related to expression upregulation of e2f1, a transcription repressor of TERT and positive regulator of the mitotic cell cycle. Our results revealed that SMF repressed both, cell migration and telomerase function. The telomerase network is responsive to SMF and may be involved in SMF-mediated cancer-specific effects; moreover, it may function as a therapeutic target in magnetic therapy of cancers.

A novel system of coils for magnetobiology research

A novel system of coils for testing in vitro magnetobiological effects was designed, simulated, and built. Opposite to what is usual, the system generates a controlled gradient of magnetic field. This feature is introduced to allow the assessment of multiple values of the field in a single experiment. The apparatus consists of two flattened orthogonal coils, which permit independent control of two of the spatial components of the field. Geometry of design, combined with the use of a standard multi-well microplate for cellular culture, allows for simultaneous testing of 96 different field conditions. The system, intended to increase the efficiency of evaluating biological effects throughout ranges of the field parameters, was fully characterized injecting DC currents to the coils (i.e., generating static magnetic fields) in order to assess the spatial distribution of both the field's and field-gradient's components. Temperature load was carefully evaluated and the maximum values of 350 μT and 9 μT/mm (for the field and its gradient) could be generated without excessive heating of the cellular cultures.