Electrical Stimulation Enabled via Electrospun Piezoelectric Polymeric Nanofibers for Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Electrical stimulation has demonstrated great effectiveness in the modulation of cell fate in vitro and regeneration therapy in vivo. Conventionally, the employment of electrical signal comes with the electrodes, battery, and connectors in an invasive fashion. This tedious procedure and possible infection hinder the translation of electrical stimulation technologies in regenerative therapy. Given electromechanical coupling and flexibility, piezoelectric polymers can overcome these limitations as they can serve as a self-powered stimulator via scavenging mechanical force from the organism and external stimuli wirelessly. Wireless electrical cue mediated by electrospun piezoelectric polymeric nanofibers constitutes a promising paradigm allowing the generation of localized electrical stimulation both in a noninvasive manner and at cell level. Recently, numerous studies based on electrospun piezoelectric nanofibers have been carried out in electrically regenerative therapy. In this review, brief introduction of piezoelectric polymer and electrospinning technology is elucidated first. Afterward, we highlight the activating strategies (e.g., cell traction, physiological activity, and ultrasound) of piezoelectric stimulation and the interaction of piezoelectric cue with nonelectrically/electrically excitable cells in regeneration medicine. Then, quantitative comparison of the electrical stimulation effects using various activating strategies on specific cell behavior and various cell types is outlined. Followingly, this review explores the present challenges in electrospun nanofiber-based piezoelectric stimulation for regeneration therapy and summarizes the methodologies which may be contributed to future efforts in this field for the reality of this technology in the clinical scene. In the end, a summary of this review and future perspectives toward electrospun nanofiber-based piezoelectric stimulation in tissue regeneration are elucidated.

Biodegradable MOFilters for Effective Air Filtration and Sterilization by Coupling MOF Functionalization and Mechanical Polarization of Fibrous Poly(lactic acid)

“…However, when PLA@ZIF8 membranes were polarized, both the dipole of ZIF-8 and PLA are oriented and have a higher charge after polarization. 40 Further, fitting of the dielectric constant as a function of surface potential indicates that the dielectric constant is linearly proportional to the surface potential of the membrane (Figure 5g). The increased dielectric constant would result in a large charge trap density distribution and trap depth, which enhance the charge capture capability and storage stability.…”

“…Only the dipole of PLA is oriented when the pure PLA membrane is polarized, resulting in net electric charges. However, when PLA@ZIF8 membranes were polarized, both the dipole of ZIF-8 and PLA are oriented and have a higher charge after polarization . Further, fitting of the dielectric constant as a function of surface potential indicates that the dielectric constant is linearly proportional to the surface potential of the membrane (Figure g).…”

Smart Hydrogels for Bone Reconstruction via Modulating the Microenvironment

“…Related to this mechanism, ES affects transmembrane potentials and signaling of growth factors to modulate osteogenesis. In addition, ES induces cell proliferation, adhesion, and mineralization [ 132 ]. Since ES can promote osteogenesis, several electro-responsive hydrogels combined with conductive nanoparticles that regulate the biological electrical characteristics of the microenvironment have been developed for bone repair [ 133 , 134 ].…”

Nanostructured Ag‐Bioglass Implant Coatings with Antibacterial and Osteogenic Activity

“…[7] The HA chemical composition is very similar to the host bone tissue and thus promotes the osseointegration. Although coatings with antimicrobial and osseointegration properties have been investigated individually, [8,9] there are still several uncertainties when combining materials with these properties in the same coating. For example, most of those studies only benchmark their antibacterial properties with planktonic bacteria instead of biofilms, without demonstrating the potential application of such coatings on clinically relevant implant geometries.…”