Mahtab Tirgar,1,*Zahra Abpeikar,2Arash Goodarzi,3Ahmad Reza Farmani,4Farnia Mohammadifar,5Mohsen safayi,6
1. Department of Tissue engineering, school of medicine, ,Fasa University of Medical Sciences (FUMS), Fasa, Iran 2. Department of Tissue engineering, school of medicine, ,Fasa University of Medical Sciences (FUMS), Fasa, Iran 3. Department of Tissue engineering, school of medicine, ,Fasa University of Medical Sciences (FUMS), Fasa, Iran 4. Department of Tissue engineering, school of medicine, ,Fasa University of Medical Sciences (FUMS), Fasa, Iran 5. Department of Tissue engineering, school of medicine, ,Fasa University of Medical Sciences (FUMS), Fasa, Iran 6. Department of Tissue engineering, school of medicine, ,Fasa University of Medical Sciences (FUMS), Fasa, Iran
Introduction: Immunomodulation methods play a vital role in tissue engineering, as they help overcome immune responses that can hinder the success of tissue grafts and implants. By manipulating the immune system's response, tissue engineers aim to enhance the integration, function, and longevity of engineered tissues. This abstract explores various immunomodulation strategies employed in tissue engineering and their impact on tissue graft acceptance and long-term outcomes. It also highlights the challenges and future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
Methods: This review was prepared by searching Science Direct, Google Scholar, Pub-Med, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.
Results: One approach to immunomodulation involves the use of biomaterials and scaffolds with controlled release systems. These systems can deliver immunomodulatory agents, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or growth factors, to regulate immune cell behavior at the implant site. Additionally, surface modifications of biomaterials can play a crucial role in modulating local immune responses. For instance, modifying the surface chemistry or topography can influence macrophage polarization and adhesion, promoting a favorable environment for tissue integration. Another promising strategy is the incorporation of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), into engineered tissues. These cells actively suppress the immune response, creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment around the graft. MSCs, in particular, have shown great potential due to their immunomodulatory properties, which include modulating T cell activity, promoting tissue repair, and secreting anti-inflammatory factors. Furthermore, tissue engineering approaches that incorporate decellularization and recellularization techniques can minimize immunogenicity. Decellularization involves removing cellular components from a donor tissue while preserving the extracellular matrix (ECM), allowing for repopulation by patient-specific cells. This method helps reduce the immune response against the graft. Molecular interventions offer a precise approach, utilizing techniques such as gene editing or RNA interference to modulate the immune response. Recent advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 technology have enabled the development of immune-evasive grafts by editing specific genes responsible for antigen presentation. However, challenges remain in developing optimal immunomodulation strategies. Achieving a delicate balance between immune suppression and host defense is crucial, as excessive immunosuppression may lead to infection or tumor growth. Additionally, the long-term stability and functionality of engineered tissues still need to be addressed.
Conclusion: Immunomodulation methods in tissue engineering hold great promise for improving tissue graft acceptance and integration. By leveraging biomaterials, controlled release systems, immunosuppressive cells, decellularization techniques and molecular interventions, researchers are progressing toward creating immunologically stable and functional tissues and organs.