Bioinspired Engineering of Streamlined Skeletal Interoception: Neural Bioprinted Piezoelectric Scaffolds for Neuro‐Vascularized Bone Regeneration

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Authors: Yingze Su, Haomin Wang, Weixi Liu, Kangming Chen, Yiyang Min, Jinbo Zhu, Xueyang Li, Anning Su, Hao Yang, Lei Yang, Yun Ji, Yuxin Zhang
+7 more Jisi Zheng, Chi Yang, Chuanglong He, Tao Li, Shuo Chen, Tao Wu, Xiaodong Chen
Cited by: 7
References: 39

Abstract

ABSTRACT The skeletal interoception system that orchestrates bone homeostasis and regeneration through a coordinated “afferent‐integration‐efferent” reflex arc has been overlooked in bone tissue engineering. The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons constitute the hubs of this system. Moreover, beyond their canonical role within the interoceptive pathway, these neurons exert a direct effector role by secreting calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) to promote bone repair. However, current sensory nerve‐targeted strategies in bone tissue engineering remain static, bypassing the dynamic reflex arc and failing to establish an autonomous functional system. To address this, a streamlined interoception unit was engineered using neural bioprinting of DRG neurons within piezoelectric scaffolds. Upon sensing ultrasound (US) stimulation, the piezoelectric poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) component mediates mechanoelectrical coupling, triggering a Ca 2 + influx‐induced effector response in the incorporated DRG neurons that enhances CGRP secretion and expression. The secreted CGRP subsequently promotes osteogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro and accelerates neuro‐vascularized bone regeneration in a rat femoral condyle defect model. This study established a bioinspired platform with a self‐contained “sensor‐effector” circuit, offering a novel engineered strategy for bone regeneration.

Fields of Study & Subjects

3D Printing in Biomedical Research Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation Bone Tissue Engineering Materials

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
21
Pages
e24181–e24181
Publication date
15 February 2026
Language
EN