Monocytes, macrophages and foreign body giant cells on biomaterial surfaces: the foreign body reaction

摘要

The inflammatory and healing responses to biomaterials are characterized by the development of a foreign body reaction consisting of macrophages and foreign body giant cells (FBGC) at the tissue/biomaterial interface (Figure 1). To better understand the mechanism of formation of the foreign body reaction and its potential role in the success or failure of biomaterials, we have carried out studies on lymphokine induced foreign body giant cell formation on biomaterials. These studies address the hypothesis that the monocyte/macrophage (MC/MO) is the major cellular component controlling the tissue/material inflammatory and healing responses and that surfaces with variable chemistries can selectively affect the activation, function and cytokine production of adherent macrophages and FBGCs.