Researchers identify immunity-driven factors behind rejection of medical implants

Editor's Note

Medical devices such as pacemakers, breast implants, or knee replacements often cause hostile immune responses that can damage not only the implants but also surrounding tissue in the patient. That rejection often leads to further intervention needed that may include medications such as immunosuppressants or additional procedures.

Researchers at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering have identified key factors driving medical implant-induced regeneration and damage. The research findings were published in Nature Materials on October 23.

For the study, titled “Pro-regenerative biomaterials recruit immunoregulatory dendritic cells after traumatic injury,” the researchers implanted two types of materials–decellularized submucosa used for abdominal injuries and polyethylene, a plastic used for orthopedic implants–into mice. 

They found that the submucosa samples contained far more of a specific cell type called cDC1s, dendritic cells, which help drive immune response. The authors say the discovery can help guide the design of new medical devices that influence the immune system to help rather than harm the body.