Mechanoluminescence (ML) sensing technologies open up new opportunities for intelligent sensors, self-powered displays and wearable devices. However, the emission efficiency of ML materials reported so far still fails to meet the growing application requirements due to the insufficiently understood mechano-to-photon conversion mechanism. Herein, we propose to quantify the ability of different phases to gain or lose electrons under friction (defined as triboelectric series), and reveal that the inorganic-organic interfacial triboelectricity is a key factor in determining the ML in inorganic-organic composites. A positive correlation between the difference in triboelectric series and the ML intensity is established in a series of composites, and a 20-fold increase in ML intensity is finally obtained by selecting an appropriate inorganic-organic combination. The interfacial triboelectricity-regulated ML is further demonstrated in multi-interface systems that include an inorganic phosphor-organic matrix and organic matrix-force applicator interfaces, and again confirmed by self-oxidization and reduction of emission centers under continuous mechanical stimulus. This work not only gives direct experimental evidences for the underlying mechanism of ML, but also provides guidelines for rationally designing high-efficiency ML materials.

Adverse aortic remodeling increases the risk of aorta-related adverse events (AAEs) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and affects the overall prognosis of aortic dissection (AD). It is imperative to delve into the exploration of prognostic indicators to streamline the identification of individuals at elevated risk for postoperative AAEs, and therapeutic targets to optimize the efficacy of TEVAR for patients with AD. Here, we perform proteomic and single-cell transcriptomic analyses of peripheral blood and aortic lesions, respectively, from patients with AD and healthy subjects. The integrated multi-omics profiling identifies that highly phenotype-associated macrophages orchestrate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) through CXCL3/CXCR2 axis, thereby promoting the development of AD. Increased NETs formation is a defining feature of systemic immunity and aortic microenvironment of AD. Inhibiting NETs formation through the blockade of citrullinated histone H3 or CXCL3/CXCR2 axis ameliorates the progression and rupture of aortic dissection in male mice. The plasma level of citrullinated histone H3 predicts AAEs following endovascular therapy, facilitating the risk stratification and prognostic evaluation for patients with AD.

BACKGROUND: Aortic aneurysm/dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening disease lacking effective pharmacological treatment. Protein ubiquitination plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular diseases. However, the possible contribution of the E3 ubiquitin ligase March2 (membrane-associated RING [really interesting new gene] finger protein 2) to the cause of AAD remains elusive. METHODS: Integrated single-cell RNA sequencing analysis was conducted in human AAD tissues. Based on the screening results, we generated a mouse line of smooth muscle cell–specific March2 knockout. β-Aminopropionitrile monofumarate was used to establish AAD. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation and cleavage under targets and tagmentation–quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to identify possible target genes for histone H3K18 lactylation. RESULTS: March2 expression was downregulated in aorta from patients with AAD or β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate–induced AAD mice. β-Aminopropionitrile monofumarate–induced AAD was significantly accentuated in March2 global (March2 ^–/– ) and vascular smooth muscle cell–specific deletion (March2 ^fl/fl ; Tagln ^Cre ) mice, whereas the AAD pathology was rescued by rAAV9-SM22α (smooth muscle 22α)-March2 (recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 expressing Flag-tagged March2 under SM22α promoter). March2 interacted with PKM2 (pyruvate kinase M2) to promote K33-linked polyubiquitination. Deficiency of March2 lessened PKM2 dimer-to-tetramer conversion in AAD and overtly exacerbated AAD-induced histone H3K18 lactylation in vascular smooth muscle cells by fostering glucose metabolism reprogramming, thereby promoting p53-driven apoptotic transcriptional response—a hallmark of AAD pathogenesis. TEPP-46 (tetraethyl pyrophosphate), a PKM2-specific activator, pronouncedly alleviated March2 deficiency–deteriorated AAD pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that March2 is a novel endogenous defender that prevents AAD by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis, suggesting that March2 represents a potential therapeutic target for AAD.

Muscle necrosis and angiogenesis are two major challenges in the treatment of lower-limb ischemic diseases. In this study, a triple-functional Sr/Si-containing bioceramic/alginate composite hydrogel with simultaneous bioactivity in enhancing angiogenesis, regulating inflammation, and inhibiting muscle necrosis was designed to treat lower-limb ischemic diseases. In particular, sodium alginate, calcium silicate and strontium carbonate were used to prepare injectable hydrogels, which was gelled within 10 min. More importantly, this composite hydrogel sustainedly releases bioactive Sr²⁺ and SiO₃ ^2- ions within 28 days. The biological activity of the bioactive ions released from the hydrogels was verified on HUVECs, SMCs, C2C12 and Raw 264.7 cells in vitro, and the therapeutic effect of the hydrogel was confirmed using C57BL/6 mouse model of femoral artery ligation in vivo. The results showed that the composite hydrogel stimulated angiogenesis, developed new collateral capillaries, and re-established the blood supply. In addition, the bioactive hydrogel directly promoted the expression of muscle-regulating factors (MyoG and MyoD) to protect skeletal muscle from necrosis, inhibited M1 polarization, and promoted M2 polarization of macrophages to reduce inflammation, thereby protecting skeletal muscle cells and indirectly promoting vascularization. Our results indicate that these bioceramic/alginate composite bioactive hydrogels are effective biomaterials for treating hindlimb ischemia and suggest that biomaterial-based approaches may have remarkable potential in treating ischemic diseases.