Affiliation:
1. School of Nano‐Tech and Nano‐Bionics University of Science and Technology of China Anhui 230026 China
2. CAS Key Laboratory of Nano‐Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano‐Tech and Nano‐Bionics Chinese Academy of Sciences Jiangsu 215123 China
3. College of Life Science and Engineering Southwest Jiaotong University Chengdu 610031 China
Abstract
AbstractElectrical stimulation (ES) has a remarkable capacity to regulate neuronal differentiation and neurogenesis in the treatment of various neurological diseases. However, wired devices connected to the stimulating electrode and the mechanical mismatch between conventional rigid electrodes and soft tissues restrict their motion and cause possible infections, thereby limiting their clinical utility. An approach integrating the advantages of wireless techniques and soft hydrogels provides new insights into ES‐induced nerve regeneration. Herein, a flexible and implantable wireless ES‐responsive electrode based on an annular gelatin methacrylate‐polyaniline (Gel/Pani) hydrogel is fabricated and used as a secondary coil to achieve wireless ES via electromagnetic induction in the presence of a primary coil. The Gel/Pani hydrogels exhibit favorable biocompatibility, biodegradability, conductivity, and compression resistance. The annular electrode of the Gel/Pani conductive hydrogel (AECH) supports neural stem cell growth, while the applied wireless ES facilitates neuronal differentiation and the formation of functional neural networks in vitro. Furthermore, AECH is implanted in vivo in rats with ischemic stroke and the results reveal that AECH‐mediated wireless ES significantly ameliorates brain impairment and neurological function by activating endogenous neurogenesis. This novel flexible hydrogel system addresses wireless stimulation and implantable technical challenges, holding great potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province