Remote neuromuscular electrical stimulation upregulates MDK to enhance macrophage efferocytosis via LRP1 in wound healing.

Abstract

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a well-established therapeutic approach for chronic wounds. Conventionally, NMES involves direct electrode contact with wounds or adjacent healthy skin; however, it is limited by the need for wound exposure and increased pain. Our preliminary study demonstrated the innovative application of remote NMES (rNMES) to the skeletal muscle of the distal calf, demonstrating the potential to accelerate wound healing in remote areas. rNMES is effective in human clinical trials in our previous work, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. As rNMES is often used to stimulate muscle contraction in long-term bedridden patients, we analyzed GEO database data and found that exercise promotes midkine (MDK) expression in muscle, a small secreted heparin-binding protein that interacts with multiple cell surface receptors to promote growth. MDK significantly enhanced macrophage efferocytosis in a low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1)-dependent manner. Our findings demonstrate that rNMES upregulates MDK expression in skeletal muscles through the AMPK-ERK axis, facilitating its delivery to wounds through the circulatory system and promoting LRP1-mediated efferocytosis of apoptotic cells, thereby expediting wound healing.