The efficacy of electrical stimulation facilitating peripheral nerve regeneration is evidenced extensively, while the associated secondary damage resulting from repeated electrode invasion and indiscriminate stimulation is inevitable. Here, we present an optogenetics strategy that utilizes upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to convert deeply penetrating near-infrared excitation into blue emission, which activates an adeno-associated virus-encoding ChR2 photoresponsive ion channel on cell membranes. The induced Ca2+ flux, similar to the ion flux in the electrical stimulation approach, efficiently regulates viability and proliferation, secretion of nerve growth factor, and neural function of RSC96 cells. Furthermore, deep near-infrared excitation is harnessed to stimulate autologous Schwann cells in situ via a UCNP-composited scaffold, which enhances nerve sprouting and myelination, consequently promoting functional recovery, electrophysiological restoration, and reinnervation of damaged nerves. This developed postoperatively noninvasive optogenetics strategy presents a novel, minimally traumatic, and enduring therapeutic stimulus to effectively promote peripheral nerve repair.
Keywords: near-infrared excitation; nerve regeneration; optogenetics; sciatic nerve repair; upconversion nanoparticles.