Control of orientation of rat Schwann cells using an 8-T static magnetic field

Schwann cells aid in neuronal regeneration in the peripheral nervous system via guiding the regrowth of axons. In this study, we investigated the magnetic orientation of Schwann cells, and of a mixture of Schwann cells and collagen, after an 8-tesla magnetic field exposure. We obtained cultured Schwann cells from dissected sciatic nerves of neonatal rats. After 60 h of magnetic field exposure, Schwann cells oriented parallel to the magnetic fields. In contrast, the mixture of Schwann cells and collagen, Schwann cells oriented in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field after 2 h of magnetic field exposure. In this case, Schwann cells aligned along the collagen fiber oriented by magnetic fields. The magnetic control of Schwann cell alignment is useful in medical engineering applications such as nerve regeneration.