Mechanical-cellular electrical conversion model reshapes the immune microenvironment of peripheral nerve by modulating neutrophil extracellular traps

Abstract

Perturbations of the immune homeostasis following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) disturbs growth microenvironment that delays nerve repair. Although extensive efforts have been made to stimulate nerve regeneration, their efficacy is limited by energy deficiency and persistent and overactive inflammation. It is not yet clear how exogenous implantable neural electrical stimulation system regulates immune homeostasis and promotes peripheral nerve regeneration. Here reports a self-powered immunoactive scaffold based on piezoelectric and electroconductive materials. Such in situ electrical stimulation technique regulates lasting and high-level inflammatory cytokines infiltrated in injured nerve tissue, modulates aberrant neutrophil activities and promotes fast revascularization. By benefiting immune balance and angiogenesis, this electroactive scaffold averts growth-suppression following PNI and robustly facilitates neural regeneration. Therefore, this piezoelectric model represents an effective tool for PNI immunotherapy.