Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles Direct Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Into Skeletal Muscle Cells

Dextran coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with positive, negative and neutral surfaces have been used for labeling embryonic stem cells (ESCs) for efficient cell-based therapies toward the formation of functional skeletal muscle. Dramatic effects in specific gene expression (e.g., MyoG and Myh2) pattern of labeled cells, under pulsed electromagnetic field, were found. More specifically, the highest expression levels of MyoG and Myh2 were detected in the labeled cells with positive dextran coated SPIONs. Therefore, significant effects of magnetic fields on directing the superparamagnetic labeled stem cells toward skeletal muscle cells have been confirmed.