Real‐Time and High‐Resolution NIR‐II‐L Imaging of Netrin‐1‐Mediated Neurovascular Coupling Driven by Dose‐Dependent Electroacupuncture

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Authors: Yicong Wang, Zi‐Han Chen, Jiajia Li, Wei Hu, Ying Cao, Yu Wang, Xiaoyu Tong, Wenhan Lu, Yuze Yang, Yuehao Wang, Yan Xiao, Wenhao Gao
+4 more Yuning Chen, Yuyan Hou, Fan Zhang, Yi Feng
Cited by: 0
References: 43

Abstract

ABSTRACT Accumulating evidence implicates that disrupted ovarian neurovascular coupling is a vital driver for polycystic ovary syndrome. Electroacupuncture (EA), as a form of peripheral neuromodulation, offers a potential therapeutic avenue to restore this coupling and improve ovarian function. However, how neural regulation leads to vascular changes remains unclear. Conventional histological and imaging methods cannot capture either immediate or long‐term effects of EA on neurovascular dynamics, as they are limited by the lack of real‐time and continuous in vivo visualization. Here, core–shell lanthanide nanocrystals α‐NaYbF 4 :2%Er,2%Ce@NaYF 4 showed deep‐tissue penetration in the second near‐infrared long‐wavelength region (NIR‐II‐L, 1500–1900 nm). Moreover, it could achieve real‐time and high‐resolution visualization of EA‐induced structural and functional changes in the ovarian blood vessels. Our results showed that immediate EA (iEA) at specific parameters and acupoints transiently induced ovarian vasodilation, while cumulative EA (cEA) further strengthened sympathetic‐vascular coupling, leading to sustained improvements in local perfusion and follicular development. Additionally, we validated that these effects were dependent on the neurovascular coupling mediator Netrin‐1, an axon guidance molecule increasingly recognized for its role in arterial innervation and blood flow regulation in peripheral organs. This study elucidated parameter‐specific mechanisms by which EA regulated ovarian function and proposed a visualizable strategy for in vivo analysis of neurovascular structural‐functional remodeling.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Volume
13
Issue
19
Pages
e20847–e20847
Publication date
27 January 2026
Language
EN