4D printing of stretchable nanocookie@conduit material hosting biocues and magnetoelectric stimulation for neurite sprouting

A high-frequency magnetic field (MF) generates an electric current by charging conductors that enable the induction of various biological processes, including changes in cell fate and programming. In this study, we show that electromagnetized carbon porous nanocookies (NCs) under MF treatment facilitate magnetoelectric conversion for growth factor release and cell stimulation to induce neuron cell differentiation and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Integrating four-dimensional printing technology, the NCs are exposed on the surface, which enhances the cell adhesion and allows direct manipulation of electromagnetic stimulation of the cells. Remarkably, large amounts of growth factor encapsulated in NC@conduit resulted in excellent permeability and on-demand release, improving the in vivo layers of myelin sheaths and directing the axon orientation at 1 month postimplantation. This study offers proof of principle for MF-guided in vivo neuron regeneration as a potentially viable tissue regeneration approach for neuronal diseases.

Jen-Hung Fang, Hao-Hsiang Hsu, Ru-Siou Hsu, Chih-Kang Peng, Yu-Jen Lu, You-Yin Chen, San-Yuan Chen, Shang-Hsiu Hu