Neuroimmune-Metabolic Regulation by a Wireless Biodegradable Neuromodulator for Cardiovascular Therapy in a Mouse Model

ACS Nano. 2026 Apr 28;20(16):12306-12320. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5c20688. Epub 2026 Apr 15.

Abstract

Bioelectronic modulation of the vagus nerve offers a promising strategy for treating cardiovascular disease. Murine models that recapitulate neuroimmune-metabolic dysregulation are indispensable for preclinical neuromodulation research; however, the murine vagus nerve is extremely small, fragile, and difficult to interface with, making it challenging for existing devices to achieve the miniaturization, performance, and chronic biocompatibility required for long-term studies. Herein, we present a miniaturized, focused-ultrasound-driven, fully biodegradable vagus-nerve stimulator (UBVS) specifically engineered for murine application, enabling reliable and safe wireless neuromodulation. UBVS integrates a fully biodegradable triboelectric energy harvester and a self-adherent neural interface, achieving stable, suture-free chronic coupling without local neural injury. On-demand focused ultrasound provides spatiotemporally controlled, transcutaneous wireless power to the UBVS, allowing for precise stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve located in deep tissue. In a murine atherosclerosis model, chronic UBVS-mediated vagus nerve stimulation reprogrammed the neuroimmune-metabolic axis by suppressing inflammatory activation, enhancing autophagy-efferocytosis and remodeling lipid metabolism, thereby reducing plaque burden. These innovations achieve neurocompatible, long-term stimulation of delicate peripheral nerves, advancing wireless electroceutical therapies for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; biodegradable neuromodulator; bioelectronics; cardiovascular diseases; neuroimmune regulation; ultrasound; vagus nerve stimulation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis* / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis* / therapy
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / therapy
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuroimmunomodulation*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents*
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation* / instrumentation
  • Vagus Nerve*
  • Wireless Technology*

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials