Successful tissue engineering approaches require proper modulation of the inflammatory response within the tissue microenvironment. While the host inflammatory response was once considered detrimental to tissue engineering strategies, in recent years it has been recognized as having a central role in improving biomaterial–tissue integration and tissue repair wound healing. The proper balance of host tissue inflammation is therefore a determinant of the success of any tissue engineering strategy.
In recent years the field of immunomodulatory biomaterials has been expanding, especially with inflammation-associated diseases such as osteoarthritis, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetic ulcer. Multiple efforts focus on how biomaterials can be designed to modulate immune cell behavior to promote biomaterial–tissue integration but moreover to proactively promote balanced inflammation. The goal is the intentional activation of monocytes and macrophages with controlled timing or modulation of their interactions with other cell types involved in wound healing. To this end, careful engineering of biomaterial structures and controlled release of immunomodulatory agents can be employed to manipulate macrophage phenotype for enhancing tissue integration and repair. Adding to biomaterial development, further studies are needed to reach clinical translation of successful immunomodulatory biomaterials.
We welcome contributions of Reviews and Original Research papers reporting recent efforts in the development of immunomodulatory biomaterials towards regenerative mechanisms. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Engineering of biomaterials for the modulation of the immune response
- Delivery strategies of bioactive immunomodulatory compounds
- Novel techniques for in situ immune cell reprogramming
- New imaging tools for biomaterial-immune system interface
- Clinical studies of immunomodulatory biomaterials
Successful tissue engineering approaches require proper modulation of the inflammatory response within the tissue microenvironment. While the host inflammatory response was once considered detrimental to tissue engineering strategies, in recent years it has been recognized as having a central role in improving biomaterial–tissue integration and tissue repair wound healing. The proper balance of host tissue inflammation is therefore a determinant of the success of any tissue engineering strategy.
In recent years the field of immunomodulatory biomaterials has been expanding, especially with inflammation-associated diseases such as osteoarthritis, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetic ulcer. Multiple efforts focus on how biomaterials can be designed to modulate immune cell behavior to promote biomaterial–tissue integration but moreover to proactively promote balanced inflammation. The goal is the intentional activation of monocytes and macrophages with controlled timing or modulation of their interactions with other cell types involved in wound healing. To this end, careful engineering of biomaterial structures and controlled release of immunomodulatory agents can be employed to manipulate macrophage phenotype for enhancing tissue integration and repair. Adding to biomaterial development, further studies are needed to reach clinical translation of successful immunomodulatory biomaterials.
We welcome contributions of Reviews and Original Research papers reporting recent efforts in the development of immunomodulatory biomaterials towards regenerative mechanisms. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Engineering of biomaterials for the modulation of the immune response
- Delivery strategies of bioactive immunomodulatory compounds
- Novel techniques for in situ immune cell reprogramming
- New imaging tools for biomaterial-immune system interface
- Clinical studies of immunomodulatory biomaterials