In situ magnetoelectric generation of nitric oxide and electric stimulus for nerve therapy by wireless chargeable molybdenum carbide octahedrons

Abstract

Endogenous signals, such as nitric oxide (NO) and electrons, induce multifaceted physiological functions in the regulation of cell fate as well as vascular and neuronal systems. However, clinical difficulties exist due to the short half-life of NO and the lack of tools to spatiotemporally drive gas release and electrical stimulation. Here, we propose a "magnetoelectric massager" strategy based on alternating magnetic field (AMF)-triggered on-demand NO release and electrical stimulation to restore brain function in traumatic brain injury. The NO and electron transport system was constructed as a metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived molybdenum carbide octahedron (MoCx-Cu) and an NO donor (S-nitrosoglutathione, GSNO), which was embedded in an implantable silk in a microneedle. Under AMF irradiation, eddy currents on conductive MoCx-Cu induced NO release from GSNO through electrical stimulation, thereby significantly promoting the differentiation and growth of neural stem cell (NSC) synapses. A combined strategy of in vivo traumatic brain injury allows NO and electrical stimulation-mediated inhibition of inflammation, angiogenesis, and neuronal interrogation.