Harnessing Oxidative Microenvironment for In Vivo Synthesis of Subcellular Conductive Polymer Microesicles Enhances Nerve Reconstruction

Nano Lett. 2022 May 11;22(9):3825-3831. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c01123. Epub 2022 May 2.

Abstract

Conductive polymers (CPs) are promising biomaterials to address signal connection at biointerfaces for tissue regeneration. However, regulating material microstructure at the subcellular scale to provide a more seamless interface between conductive substrates and cells remains a great challenge. Here, we demonstrate that chemical factors and enzyme-carried subcellular structures at lesion site provide a natural bioreactor to self-assemble conductive microvesicles (CMVs) for improving bioelectrical signal reconstruction. The synthesized CMVs contribute to the electrical conduction of the injured nerve in the early stage. Moreover, CMVs are eventually expelled via lymphatic capillary to minimize space-occupying and chronic inflammation. Therefore, we provide a prototype to integrate specific physiological microenvironments and polymer chemistry to manufacture subcellular functional materials with self-adaptive interface in vivo for biomedical applications.

Keywords: conductive polymers; in vivo synthesis; self-assembly; subcellular; tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Polymers*
  • Tissue Engineering*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polymers