Biofunctionalized magnetic-vortex microdiscs for targeted cancer-cell destruction.pdf

ARTICLES PUBLISHED ONLINE: 29 NOVEMBER 2009 | DOI: 10.1038/NMAT2591 Biofunctionalized magnetic-vortex microdiscs for targeted cancer-cell destruction Dong-Hyun Kim1, Elena A. Rozhkova2*, Ilya V. Ulasov3, Samuel D. Bader1,2, Tijana Rajh2, Maciej S. Lesniak3 and Valentyn Novosad1* Nanomagnetic materials offer exciting avenues for probing cell mechanics and activating mechanosensitive ion channels, as well as for advancing cancer therapies. Most experimental works so far have used superparamagnetic materials. This report describes a first approach based on interfacing cells with lithographically defined microdiscs that possess a spin-vortex ground state. When an alternating magnetic field is applied the microdisc vortices shift, creating an oscillation, which transmits a mechanical force to the cell. Because reduced sensitivity of cancer cells toward apoptosis leads to inappropriate cell survival and malignant progression, selective induction of apoptosis is of great importance for the anticancer therapeutic strategies. We show that the spin-vortex-mediated stimulus creates two dramatic effects: compromised integrity of the cellular membrane, and initiation of programmed cell death. A low-frequency field of a few tens of hertz applied for only ten minutes was sufficient to achieve～90% cancer-cell destruction in vitro. Since the discovery of the compass, magnetic phenomenahave become an inseparable feature of everyday life, mostnoticeably in magnetic recording and advanced information technologies1. Nanobiomagnetic applications, including magnetic resonance imaging contrast-enhancement agents, targeted drug delivery, bioseparation and magnetically induced hyperthermia2–5 are also becoming prominent. Furthermore, magnetic actuation has been explored for ‘distant’ control and manipulation of cell adhesion, receptor clustering and intercellular signalling6–8. Integration of magnetic materials with biological molecules and therapeutics creates hybrid materials with advanced