Inflammatory cell interations with surface-modified biomaterials

Implantation of biomedical polymers, devices, and prostheses results in the normal sequence of inflammatory and wound healing events, ultimately resulting in the foreign body reaction at the tissue/material interface. The normal foreign body reaction consists of adherent macrophages and foreign body giant cells at the tissue/material interface. Our studies have focused on developing a mechanistic understanding of the effect of biomaterial surface chemistry on the formation and activity of monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, and foreign body giant cells in the foreign body reaction. Studies utilizing materials with a broad range of surface chemistries have been used to investigate the capability of surfaces to enhance or reduce macrophage and foreign body giant cell adhesion, fusion, activation, and apoptosis. Correlative in vitro and in vivo studies will be presented that identify certain surface chemistries that facilitate a reduction in the foreign body reaction while others enhance the foreign body reaction at material/tissue interfaces. Our ultimate goal is to identify biological design criteria that will prove useful in the development of new biomaterials and tissue engineering constructs.