The foreign body response: at the interface of surgery and bioengineering.
BACKGROUND
The surgical implantation of materials and devices has dramatically increased over the past decade. This trend is expected to continue with the broadening application of biomaterials and rapid expansion of aging populations. One major factor that limits the potential of implantable materials and devices is the foreign body response, an immunologic reaction characterized by chronic inflammation, foreign body giant cell formation, and fibrotic capsule formation.


METHODS
The English literature on the foreign body response to implanted materials and devices is reviewed.


RESULTS
Fibrotic encapsulation can cause device malfunction and dramatically limit the function of an implanted medical device or material. Basic science studies suggest a role for immune and inflammatory pathways at the implant-host interface that drive the foreign body response. Current strategies that aim to modulate the host response and improve construct biocompatibility appear promising.


CONCLUSIONS
This review article summarizes recent basic science, preclinical, and clinicopathologic studies examining the mechanisms driving the foreign body response, with particular focus on breast implants and synthetic meshes. Understanding these molecular and cellular mechanisms will be critical for achieving the full potential of implanted biomaterials to restore human tissues and organs.
Baltimore, Md.; and Stanford, Calif. From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions; and the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University.
Melanie R
MR
Major
Victor W
VW
Wong
Emily R
ER
Nelson
Michael T
MT
Longaker
Geoffrey C
GC
Gurtner
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D057005:Bioengineering; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000592:standards*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials