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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Real-time Visualization and Analysis of Chondrocyte Injury Due to Mechanical Loading in Fully Intact Murine Cartilage Explants
Published on: January 7, 2019
Deleterious effects of MRI on chondrocytes
C-H Hsieh1, M-C Lee, J-J Tsai-Wu
1Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Objective:
To assess how magnetic fields (MFs), with or without concurrent radio frequency (RF), influence chondrocytes and knee joint repair, we applied an MF strength via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slightly greater than the frequently used dosage in the clinics and examined the effects of these treatments in vitro on human chondrocytes and in vivo in pigs.
Methods:
Human chondrocytes were directly exposed to a 3-tesla (T) magnetic field (MF group) or a 3-T static magnetic field plus 125.3 MHz radio frequency (MF+RF group), and cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) fluxes and expression of the apoptosis-related proteins of the treated cells were examined to assess the effects of the treatments. In the pig study, we examined the effects of the treatments on the recovery of surgically damaged pig knees.
Results:
A 3-T static MF and RF suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis through p53, p21, p27 and Bax protein expression. In the pig model, we found that MRI surveillance had a deleterious effect on the recovery of the damaged knee cartilage.
Conclusion:
Magnetic strength, with or without concurrent RF, suppressed chondrocyte growth in vitro and affected recovery of damaged knee cartilage in vivo in the pig model. These results may be specific to the parameters used in this study and may not apply to other situations, field strengths, forms of cartilage injury, or animal species.
Insights
High magnetic field strength used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can suppress human chondrocyte growth and negatively impact knee cartilage repair in pigs. Further research is needed to understand these effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Orthopedics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Magnetic fields (MFs) and radio frequency (RF) are used in medical imaging, but their biological effects on cartilage cells and joint repair are not fully understood.
- Investigating the impact of MRI-related electromagnetic fields on chondrocytes and knee joint healing is crucial for patient safety and treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro effects of a 3-tesla (T) magnetic field (MF) and MF with radio frequency (RF) on human chondrocytes.
- To assess the in vivo impact of these treatments on knee joint repair in a pig model.
Main Methods:
- Human chondrocytes were exposed to a 3-T MF or a 3-T MF + 125.3 MHz RF.
- Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and protein expression were analyzed.
- Surgically induced knee damage in pigs was monitored following MRI exposure.
Main Results:
- The 3-T MF and MF+RF treatments suppressed human chondrocyte proliferation and induced apoptosis via p53, p21, p27, and Bax pathways.
- In pigs, MRI surveillance demonstrated a detrimental effect on the recovery of damaged knee cartilage.
Conclusions:
- Both MF and MF+RF, at the parameters studied, inhibit chondrocyte growth in vitro and impair knee cartilage repair in vivo.
- These findings suggest potential risks associated with high-strength MF and RF exposure in cartilage repair and warrant cautious interpretation for clinical applications.
