Magnetic polyurethane nanomaterials: A novel approach for in vitro cardiac cell maturation and culture

Abstract

In this study, we have investigated how new composite material (magnetic polyurethane (PU) nanofibers) influences the culture and maturation of cardiomyocyte cells. Magnetic iron (II, III) oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4, MNPs) were incorporated into the nanofiber structure using the solution blow spinning (SBS) method, resulting in composite magnetic nanofiber mats. These mats were characterized by physicochemical, optical (Young's modulus, wettability, surface zeta potential, autofluorescence), and magnetic properties. It was found that adding MNPs provided magnetic functionality and significantly reduced the autofluorescence properties of nanofiber mats. High viability of Human Cardiomyocytes (HCM) cells was obtained for magnetic nanofibrous mats. The results showed that the presence of MNPs increased the viability of HCM cells by 70% (p < 0.05) compared to cultures on non-magnetic nanofibers. Moreover, AMF increased troponin T and MYH6 levels for ten days of culture on magnetic nanofibers. The results suggest that culturing cardiac cells on magnetic PU nanofibrous mats more effectively replicates in vivo conditions than cultures on non-magnetic nanofibers, which may benefit cardiovascular disease research.