Rotating Magnetic Field Mitigates Ankylosing Spondylitis Targeting Osteocytes and Chondrocytes via Ameliorating Immune Dysfunctions

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is clinically characterized by bone fusion that is induced by the pathological formation of extra bone. Unfortunately, the fundamental mechanism and related therapies remain unclear. The loss of SHP-2 (encoded by Ptpn11) in CD4-Cre;Ptpn11f/f mice resulted in the induction of AS-like pathological characteristics, including spontaneous cartilage and bone lesions, kyphosis, and arthritis. Hence, this mouse was utilized as an AS model in this study. As one of the basic physical fields, the magnetic field (MF) has been proven to be an effective treatment method for articular cartilage degeneration. In this study, the effects of a rotating magnetic field (RMF; 0.2 T, 4 Hz) on an AS-like mouse model were investigated. The RMF treatment (2 h/d, 0.2 T, 4 Hz) was performed on AS mice from two months after birth until the day before sampling. The murine specimens were subjected to transcriptomics, immunomics, and metabolomics analyses, combined with molecular and pathological experiments. The results demonstrated that the mitigation of inflammatory deterioration resulted in an increase in functional osteogenesis and a decrease in dysfunctional osteolysis due to the maintenance of bone homeostasis via the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway. Additionally, by regulating the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, RMF treatment rebalanced the immune microenvironment in skeletal tissue. It has been observed that RMF interventions have the potential to alleviate AS, including by decreasing pathogenicity and preventing disease initiation. Consequently, RMF, as a moderately physical therapeutic strategy, could be considered to alleviate the degradation of cartilage and bone tissue in AS and as a potential option to halt the progression of AS.

The Influence of Magnetic Fields, Including the Planetary Magnetic Field, on Complex Life Forms: How Do Biological Systems Function in This Field and in Electromagnetic Fields?

“…Furthermore, it is also not clear currently how such biophysical interventions impact cells at the biochemical or molecular levels. Some reports indicate it may involve effects on iron metabolism [133], while others indicate it may be at the level of immune and inflammatory process regulation [134]. The influence could be a combination of those elements, as an emerging theme is the effect of the magnetic fields on inflammation and inflammatory processes.…”

The Influence of Magnetic Fields including the Geomagnetic Field of Earth on Complex Life Forms: A Silent “Partner” in Human Health and Disease?

“…Furthermore, it is also not clear at this time how such biophysical interventions impact cells at the biochemical or molecular levels. Some reports indicate it may involve effects on iron metabolism [130], while others indicate it may be at the level of immune and inflammatory process regulation [131]. The influence could be a combination of those elements as an emerging them is an effect of the magnetic fields on inflammation and inflammatory processes.…”