Soft, wireless bioelectronic implant targets splenic nerve to reduce inflammation

Soft, wireless bioelectronic implant targets splenic nerve to reduce inflammation

For millions of people suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), treating flare-ups often requires effective medications with significant side effects. A new study published inNational Science Reviewintroduces a breakthrough alternative: a soft, wireless implant that treats disease by modulating specific nerves that control immunity.

The research team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Tongji Hospital developed a “Splenic Nerve Wireless Stimulator” (SpNWS). The most important innovation is that the entire device - its electrodes, connections and wireless power receivers - is made of a specially developed conductive hydrogel. This material is as soft as biological tissue, highly stretchable and can conduct electricity efficiently.

The main challenges for long-term neural interfaces are mechanical mismatches and fibrosis caused by rigid implants. Our hydrogel device adapts seamlessly to sensitive nerves, operates without batteries, and communicates wirelessly across the skin, minimizing long-term damage and rejection.”

Zhiqiang Luo, corresponding author of the study

The implant is designed to modulate the splenic nerve, a key pathway in the body's inflammatory reflex. In a rat model of chronic colitis, the SpNWS device was implanted and activated wirelessly for 20 minutes daily. The treatment resulted in a remarkable recovery: less colon damage, less weight loss, and restored intestinal structure.

Mechanistic studies found that electrical stimulation rebalanced the intestinal immune environment. It suppressed pro-inflammatory T cells (TH1/TH17) while promoting anti-inflammatory and regulatory T cells (TH2/Treg). Crucially, after five weeks, the device demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and showed no significant encapsulation of scar tissue, a common problem that causes traditional implants to fail.

This work creates a versatile platform for “electroceutical” therapy. The soft, wireless design could be adapted to interact with various nerves to treat a range of conditions, from rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes to metabolic disorders, ushering in a new era of bioelectronic medicine.

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