Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (16): 3513-3520.doi: 10.12307/2025.414

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Regulatory strategies for foreign body reactions in biomaterials

Ye Chao, Liu Xiaohong   

  1. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • Received:2024-02-29 Accepted:2024-04-03 Online:2025-06-08 Published:2024-09-06
  • Contact: Ye Chao, Master candidate, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • About author:Liu Xiaohong, MD, Professor, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82270379 (to LXH)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The foreign body reaction induced by the implantation of biomaterials can lead to encapsulation in fibrous tissue, impede the interaction between the implant and host tissue, compromise implant functionality, and reduce its lifespan. 
OBJECTIVE: To focus on the development of regulatory strategies for foreign body reactions in biomaterials, including strategies based on surface modification of biomaterials, drug delivery and biomimetic surface modification and discuss the advantages and limitations of these methods.
METHODS: The relevant articles published from January 2000 to March 2024 were searched on PubMed, Wiley, EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, and Elsevier databases using search terms “biological materials, foreign body reaction, fibrosis, macrophage, myofibroblasts, inflammation, regulation, tissue repair.” Finally, 69 articles were included for further analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: By modifying the surface characteristics of biomaterials, such as size, shape, roughness, surface charge, hydrophilicity, and mechanical stiffness, it is possible to mitigate immune system stimulation and reduce the risk of foreign body reaction. Controlled drug stimulation combined with controlled degradation of carrier materials can generate sustained chemical reactions that effectively minimize foreign body reaction. Biomimetic surface modification techniques like zwitterion coating, protein molecular coating, and other bioactive molecular coatings have been shown to significantly decrease short-term foreign body reaction. Due to the complexity of the immune response to implants and tissue regeneration, the overall balance between foreign body reaction and tissue regeneration should also be considered when designing and manufacturing implants.


Key words: biomaterial, foreign body reaction, fibrosis, macrophage, myofibroblasts, inflammation, regulation, tissue repair

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