Magnetically driven spinning nanowires as effective materials for eradicating living cells

Abstract

We present a method to inflame cells, in vitro, by applying an alternating current (ac) magnetic field to ferromagnetic nanowires (NWs) internalized by living cells. Nickel (Ni) NWs were internalized by human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). The application of ac magnetic field to the cells induced spinning of the cells via the motion of internalized NWs. This resulted in cell death by physically causing damage. A study of the response of cytokine to cells with spinning NWs shows increased interleukin-6 effects when compared with responses from non-spinning cells. The spinning effect of cells caused by the application of magnetic field can be used to target and inflame the cells. Such experiments suggest the possibility of inflaming cells for the treatment of cancer. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3678437]