Enhanced mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes secretion by electrical stimulation of triboelectric nanogenerator

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunomodulatory, tissue repair, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties, making them valuable tools in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Electrical stimulation shows promise for enhancing exosome production; however, current methods rely on large, expensive power supplies to generate electrical signals. These systems are prone to electrode electrolysis and bubble formation in the buffer solution. In this study, we propose a novel self-powered method based on triboelectric nanogenerators to enhance exosome production from MSCs. This approach utilizes the triboelectric effect to generate an electrical output with an open-circuit voltage of 1800 V and a short-circuit current of 88 µA, effectively avoiding harmful electrochemical reactions. By optimizing parameters such as current strength, electrical stimulation duration, and treatment cycles, exosome production is increased by up to 3.2 times. Further investigations reveal that the enhanced exosome production is closely linked to calcium ion influx. Moreover, exosomes produced under electrical stimulation retain their biological activity and significantly promote wound healing. Thus, this self-powered, portable, and efficient electrical stimulation method holds significant potential for advancing exosome production. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd