Reduced graphene oxide-mediated magnetoelectric effect drives neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Neurodegenerative illnesses are among the most difficult conditions to treat in humans. As mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are easily acquired for autologous stem cell transplantation, MSC treatment is regarded as one of the most promising therapeutic options. However, typical growth factor-inducing differentiation techniques make the neural differentiation of MSCs problematic. The conventional electrical stimulation route can induce neural differentiation of MSCs, but external wires and complex devices present great obstacles to clinical treatment. In this study, based on the magnetoelectronic effect, wireless electrical signals generated on the reduced graphene oxide membrane (rGO-M) driven by a rotating magnetic field (RMF) were found to induce neural differentiation of MSCs without the aid of any biological or chemical factor. In vitro experimental results showed that MSCs on rGO-M stimulated by an RMF at a speed of 400 r min −1 for 15 min every day could express neuron-specific genes and proteins, which was significantly boosted after continuous treatment for 15 d. In vivo experiments in rats confirmed that exogenous MSCs on rGO-M could differentiate into neural cells driven by RMF. The rGO-M-mediated wireless electrical stimulation method provides a practical route for stem cell therapy of neurodegenerative diseases because of the low cost of rGO-M and autologous stem cell sources.