Cell transmembrane potential in contactless permeabilization by time-varying magnetic fields

Determination of the Impact of High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on the Release of Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules

High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (HI-PEMF) treatment is an emerging noninvasive and contactless alternative to conventional electroporation, since the electric field inside the tissue is induced remotely by an externally applied pulsed magnetic field. Recently, HI-PEMF has been successfully used in the transfer of plasmid DNA and siRNA in vivo, with no or minimal infiltration of immune cells. In addition to gene electrotransfer, treatment with HI-PEMF has also shown potential for electrochemotherapy, where activation of the immune response contributes to the treatment outcome. The immune response can be triggered by immunogenic cell death that is characterized by the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from damaged or/and dying cells. In this study, the release of the best-known DAMP molecules, i.e., adenosine triphosphate (ATP), calreticulin and high mobility group box 1 protein (HMBG1), after HI-PEMF treatment was investigated in vitro on three different cell lines of different tissue origin and compared with conventional electroporation treatment parameters. We have shown that HI-PEMF by itself does not cause the release of HMGB1 or calreticulin, whereas the release of ATP was detected immediately after HI-PEMF treatment. Our results indicate that HI-PEMF treatment causes no to minimal release of DAMP molecules, which results in minimal/limited activation of the immune response.

Modulation of Heart Rate Variability following PAP Ion Magnetic Induction Intervention in Subjects with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has emerged as a simple and non-invasive technique to indirectly evaluate the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and it is considered a sensible and advanced index of health status. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are widely used in clinical settings for improving the health status of individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The aim of the present single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel pilot study was to investigate the acute effect of a single session of PEMFs stimulation by a PAP ion magnetic induction (PAPIMI) device on ANS activity, as measured by HRV, in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, and compare such effect with that induced by a sham (control) PAPIMI inductor. Thirty-two patients were randomized into two groups: PAPIMI intervention (PAP) (n = 17) and sham PAPIMI intervention (SHAM-PAP) (n = 15). HRV was assessed before and following the interventions. The PAP group showed a significant increase in all values of the time-domain parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, and pNN50) and the HF component of HRV, suggesting a parasympathetic effect. In contrast, the SHAM-PAP group showed no significant differences in all HRV indices following the intervention. Preliminary findings suggested that PAPIMI inductor could influence ANS activity and provided initial evidence of the potential physiological response induced by the PAPIMI device.

Gold nanoparticles as enablers of cell membrane permeabilization by time-varying magnetic field: influence of distance and geometry

This study is based on the quantification of the influence of the presence of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), of their geometry and their distance from cell membrane during time-varying electromagnetic fields cell membrane permeabilization on the pores opening dynamics. Results showed that the combined use of Au NPs and time-varying magnetic field can improve significantly the permeabilization of cell membrane. The presence of Au NPs allowed to reach transmembrane potential values enabling the cell membrane permeabilization only when placed at very short distance, equal to 20 nm. Both geometry and variability of the positioning in proximity of the cell membrane showed a strong influence on the probability of enabling pores opening. Clinical Relevance- This study provides a better comprehension about the mechanisms, still not completely understood, underlying cell membrane permeabilization by combining Au NPs and time-varying magnetic fields.