Electromagnetic wireless remote control of mammalian transgene expression

Nature Nanotechnology · 2025 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 2658

Study snapshot

PublicationNature Nanotechnology · 2025

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Nanotechnology, Biomedical Engineering Tags: electromagnetic fields, transgene expression, wireless control, nanotechnology, ROS, gene therapy, biosensors DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-01929-w URL: nature.com Overview Communication between wireless field receivers and biological sensors remains a key constraint in the development of wireless electronic devices for minimally invasive medical monitoring and biomedical applications involving gene and cell therapies. Innovation This study describes a nanoparticle-cell interface that enables electromagnetic programming of wireless expression regulation (EMPOWER) of transgenes. This is achieved via the biosafe generation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). - Multiferroic nanoparticles are coated with chitosan to improve biocompatibility. - These nanoparticles generate ROS in the cytoplasm of cells in response to a low-frequency (1-kHz) magnetic field. - Overexpressed ROS-responsive KEAP1/NRF2 biosensors detect the generated ROS and are connected to synthetic ROS-responsive promoters to drive transgene expression. Findings In a proof-of-concept study, subcutaneously implanted alginate-microencapsulated cells stably expressing an EMPOWER-controlled insulin expression system successfully normalized blood-glucose levels in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes in response to a weak magnetic field. Conclusion The research demonstrates a wireless and minimally invasive approach to regulate gene expression in vivo using electromagnetic fields, mediated by biocompatible nanoparticles and ROS-sensitive biosensors. This highlights a direct link between electromagnetic field exposure and physiological regulation at the molecular and cellular level, underscoring the potential health and therapeutic implications of EMF exposure.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationMouse model of type 1 diabetes (subcutaneously implanted alginate-microencapsulated cells)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Multiferroic nanoparticles (chitosan-coated) generated cytoplasmic ROS in response to a low-frequency (1-kHz) magnetic field, which was detected by ROS-responsive KEAP1/NRF2 biosensors linked to synthetic promoters to drive transgene expression. In a proof-of-concept mouse model of type 1 diabetes, implanted cells with an EMPOWER-controlled insulin system normalized blood-glucose levels in response to a weak magnetic field.

Outcomes measured

Transgene expression regulation (insulin expression)
Blood-glucose levels normalization
Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Exposure intensity and duration not specified in provided abstract/metadata
Proof-of-concept design; generalizability beyond the described model not stated

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Mouse model of type 1 diabetes (subcutaneously implanted alginate-microencapsulated cells)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Transgene expression regulation (insulin expression)",
    "Blood-glucose levels normalization",
    "Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Multiferroic nanoparticles (chitosan-coated) generated cytoplasmic ROS in response to a low-frequency (1-kHz) magnetic field, which was detected by ROS-responsive KEAP1/NRF2 biosensors linked to synthetic promoters to drive transgene expression. In a proof-of-concept mouse model of type 1 diabetes, implanted cells with an EMPOWER-controlled insulin system normalized blood-glucose levels in response to a weak magnetic field.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure intensity and duration not specified in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Proof-of-concept design; generalizability beyond the described model not stated"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "magnetic field",
    "1-kHz",
    "ELF",
    "wireless control",
    "transgene expression",
    "nanoparticles",
    "multiferroic nanoparticles",
    "chitosan",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "ROS",
    "KEAP1",
    "NRF2",
    "biosensor",
    "synthetic promoter",
    "insulin",
    "type 1 diabetes",
    "mouse"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "other",
      "weight": 0.4,
      "reason": "Biomedical/therapeutic use of low-frequency magnetic fields to control gene expression via nanoparticles; no specific portal hub provided in prompt matches this topic."
    }
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}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-01929-w
PubMed: Not supplied

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