Biocompatibility / Non-Toxicity
The magnetic nanoparticles and hydrogel components that constitute the Fibermag formulation and the application of a magnetic field have been tested in animal and human neuronal cell cultures as well as with rat dorsal root ganglion explants. No toxic or other negative effects on viability were observed.
Formation of Stable Fibers
Fiber formation in vitro and in vivo is reliably achieved under conditions that generate long (> 1mm) Fiberguides. After crosslinking of the magnetic particles into aligned chains and the removal of the temporary magnetic field, the formed Fiberguides persist in their stabilizing hydrogel matrix, perfectly filling any irregular shape of the injury site and forming gapless connections with surrounding tissue.
Guided Neuronal Growth
The Fibermag formulation supports N1E-115 mouse neuronal cell guided growth. Similar results were obtained with PC-12 mouse cells, human-derived neural stem/progenitor cells, human-derived astrocytes, and explants from Sprague Dawley rat embryo dorsal root ganglia.
