Effect of tissue microenvironment on fibrous capsule formation to biomaterial-coated implants

Jamie L. Hernandez, Jaehyung Park, Shan Yao, Anna K. Blakney, Hienschi V. Nguyen, Bob H. Katz, Jeffrey T. Jensen, Kim A. Woodrow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Within tissue exposed to the systemic immune system, lymphocytes and fibroblasts act against biomaterials via the development of a fibrous capsule, known as the foreign body reaction (FBR). Inspired by the natural tolerance that the uterine cavity has to foreign bodies, our study explores the role of microenvironment across classical (subcutaneous) and immune privileged (uterine) tissues in the development of the FBR. As a model biomaterial, we used electrospun fibers loaded with sclerosing agents to provoke scar tissue growth. Additionally, we integrated these materials onto an intrauterine device as a platform for intrauterine biomaterial studies. Polyester materials in vitro achieved drug release up to 10 days, greater pro-inflammatory and pro-healing cytokine expression, and the addition of gelatin enabled greater fibroblast attachment. We observed the materials that induced the greatest FBR in the mouse, had no effect when inserted at the utero-tubal junction of non-human primates. These results suggest that the FBR varies across different tissue microenvironments, and a dampened fibrotic response exists in the uterine cavity, possibly due to immune privilege. Further study of immune privileged tissue factors on biomaterials could broaden our understanding of the FBR and inform new methods for achieving biocompatibility in vivo.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number120806
JournalBiomaterials
Volume273
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Electrospun fibers
  • Female reproductive tract
  • Foreign body reaction
  • Immune privilege
  • Intrauterine device
  • Sclerosing agents

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Bioengineering
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Biomaterials
  • Mechanics of Materials

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