Open AccessHydrogels for Engineering the Immune System
Author(s) -
Li Xianlei,
Shou Yufeng,
Tay Andy
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced nanobiomed research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2699-9307
DOI - 10.1002/anbr.202000073
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , immune system , biocompatibility , regeneration (biology) , lymphatic system , inflammation , tissue engineering , materials science , nanotechnology , immunology , biology , biomedical engineering , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , polymer chemistry , metallurgy
Human immune system has evolved as one of the most powerful defense systems to protect against invading pathogens and mutated cells. However, when persistent immune suppression or activation occurs, it can lead to adverse, chronic physiological effects including cancer and arthritis. Hydrogels are soft materials that can be engineered to modulate immune responses through controlled biomolecule release/adsorption, regeneration of lymphoid tissues, and enhanced antigen presentations. This is achieved by programming hydrogels to exhibit optimal properties such as porosity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility to interface seamlessly with the immune system. Herein, recent innovations and future challenges are described using programmable hydrogels to regenerate the lymphatic system, modulate inflammation, and enhance cancer immunotherapy. Key properties of hydrogels are also highlighted for engineering the immune system and techniques to characterize these properties.