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.