Altering fibrotic and rejection responses using biomaterial systems

从现有的（例如缝线）到未来的（例如组织工程结构），聚合物作为植入生物材料已经有了不同的应用。然而，它们的效用受到不可避免地发生的纤维组织积累和伴随的免疫反应的限制。拟议研究计划的长期目标是设计生物材料系统，最大限度地减少纤维化和异体排斥反应。为了实现这些目标，我们在五年的资助期内有两个主要目标。1)使用模型生物材料，我们将提供候选抗纤维化药物来减少局部瘢痕反应。2)通过传递生物材料中的关键化合物，我们将诱导耐受细胞减少同种异体排斥反应。生物活性“组合”装置的创造是相对较新的，主要是由组织工程驱动的。然而（尽管有更复杂的监管问题），植入设备领域也将从积极引导反应远离纤维化和排斥的生物材料中受益匪浅。

From the established (e.g. stitches) to the futuristic (e.g. tissue-engineered constructs), polymers have found diverse applications as implanted biomaterials. Yet, their utility is limited by the accumulation of fibrous tissue that inevitably occurs and accompanying immune responses. The long-term objective of the proposed research program is to design biomaterial systems that minimise fibrosis and allogeneic rejection. In order to accomplish these goals, we have two major aims within the five year duration of the grant. 1) Using a model biomaterial, we will deliver candidate anti-fibrotic drugs to decrease local scarring responses. 2) By delivering key compounds from the biomaterial, we will induce tolerogenic cells that reduce allogeneic rejection. Creation of biologically active "combination" devices is relatively recent and has been driven primarily by tissue engineering. However (and despite more complex regulatory issues), the field of implanted devices will also benefit greatly from biomaterials that actively direct responses away from fibrosis and rejection.