Ultrasound-activated piezoelectric nano-armor for in-situ vascular repair on vascular implants.

Abstract

Achieving rapid and healthy endothelialization while suppressing pathological responses remains a critical challenge in cardiovascular implant therapy. However, replicating this process within the intricate milieu of the vasculature presents formidable challenges. Here, we present a pioneering ultrasound-activated aligned piezoelectric nano-armor platform engineered for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. This system harnesses exogenous ultrasound-induced local electric fields to facilitate ultrasound-assisted release and orchestrate a suite of biological responses following vascular injury. Our findings reveal that this approach not only augments endothelial cell migration and proliferation but also effectively attenuates aberrant smooth muscle cell proliferation, mitigates inflammatory responses, and cultivates a regenerative microenvironment. Comprehensive histological and molecular analyses indicate that this nano-armor significantly enhanced re-endothelialization and mitigated in-stent restenosis within 14 days following implantation. This multifaceted, non-invasive strategy holds substantial potential for advancing next-generation vascular repair technologies.