Magnetic Cell Targeting for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

There is a critical need for novel approaches to translate cell therapy and regenerative medicine to clinical practice. Magnetic cell targeting with site specificity has started to open avenues in these fields as a potential therapeutic platform. Magnetic targeting is gaining popularity in the field of biomedicine due to its ability to concentrate and retain at a target site while minimizing deleterious effects at off-target sites. It is regarded as a relatively straightforward and safe approach for a wide range of therapeutic applications. This review discusses the latest advancements and approaches in magnetic cell targeting using endocytosed and surface-bound magnetic nanoparticles as well as in vivo tracking using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most common form of magnetic nanoparticles is superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION). The biodegradable and biocompatible properties of these magnetically responsive particles and capacity for rapid endocytosis into cells make them a breakthrough in targeted therapy. This review further discusses specific applications of magnetic targeting approaches in cardiovascular tissue engineering including myocardial regeneration, therapeutic angiogenesis, and endothelialization of implantable cardiovascular devices. Impact Statement Many tissue engineering approaches rely on targeting and retaining cells within engineered constructs or at specific sites within the body. Magnetic cell targeting represents a powerful strategy for precisely targeting cells to a therapeutic site while minimizing off-target effects, thereby improving safety and efficacy. Magnetic fields safely pass through biological tissue and can be used to manipulate and visualize magnetically labeled cells at a distance. Numerous applications of magnetic cell targeting have been explored to date including cardiovascular, retina, spinal cord, bone, skeletal muscle, liver, cartilage, and colon.