Quantum Biology: Magnetic Fields, Reactive Oxygen Species, and Stem Cells

Life has evolved within the Earth’s geomagnetic field, which averages 25-65 μT. Numerous species, from bacteria to turtles to birds, are able to use this field—for example as migration cues. But is the ability to sense and respond to changes in magnetic fields a more basic feature of cell biology? Using the planarian regeneration model system, we have been investigating the mechanism(s) by which spin-driven changes could affect activation of the signaling pathways that initiate new cell growth during regeneration. Our data suggest that stem cells are able to respond to changes in magnetic field strength due to corresponding changes in free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cellular ROS accumulation is known to regulate cell behaviors and tissue growth across an array of contexts, such as development, regeneration, and cancer. In planarians, we have shown that at the wound site there are concentration-dependent effects of ROS accumulation on the amount of regenerative tissue produced. Our data also demonstrate that following injury weak magnetic field exposure (< 1mT) can modulate ROS signaling in a field strength-dependent manner, either increasing (500 μT) or decreasing (200 μT): ROS accumulation, ROS-mediated gene expression, adult stem cell proliferation, and blastema (new tissue) growth. Specifically, we have shown that weak magnetic fields alter levels of the ROS superoxide (O₂^-) but not hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). These findings reveal that weak magnetic fields can be used for directed manipulation of stem cell activities for both loss and gain of function during regenerative growth. Although much more research is needed, these data suggest that the ability to sense magnetic fields is more widespread than previously thought and that the field of Quantum Biology may have the potential to identify therapeutic tools to non-invasively regulate tissue formation in cancer and regenerative medicine.