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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

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Multicellular Human Alveolar Model Composed of Epithelial Cells and Primary Immune Cells for Hazard Assessment
Published on: May 6, 2020
Human monocyte activation by biologic and biodegradable meshes in vitro
Sean B Orenstein1, Yi Qiao, Manjot Kaur
1Department of Surgery, Connecticut Comprehensive Center for Hernia Repair, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue-MC 3955, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
Surgical Endoscopy
|August 22, 2009
Summary
Different biologic meshes activate human macrophages differently, impacting hernia repair integration. FlexHD and AlloMax meshes induced higher inflammatory responses than AlloDerm or Bio-A meshes in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials science
- Immunology
- Surgical innovation
Background:
- Inflammation and wound healing are crucial for biologic mesh (BM) integration in hernia repair.
- Monocytes/macrophages (M/MØs) are key regulators of these processes, releasing cytokines like IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF.
- Limited research exists on the inflammatory responses to various BMs used in hernia repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the in vitro inflammatory responses induced by different biologic and biodegradable meshes.
- To assess the activation of human macrophages by acellular human dermis-derived meshes (AlloDerm, AlloMax, FlexHD) and a synthetic mesh (Bio-A).
Main Methods:
- Four mesh types (AlloDerm, AlloMax, FlexHD, Bio-A) were incubated with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for 7 days.
- Culture supernatants were analyzed for IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and VEGF levels using a multiplex immunoassay.
- PBMCs served as a model for activated monocytes/macrophages (M/MØs).
Main Results:
- All tested meshes induced varying levels of cytokine expression from M/MØs.
- FlexHD significantly upregulated IL-1beta compared to other meshes (p < 0.001).
- AlloMax significantly increased IL-6 levels compared to other meshes (p < 0.05), with similar trends for IL-8 and VEGF. AlloDerm and Bio-A showed no significant differences in cytokine production.
Conclusions:
- Human dermis-derived biologic meshes and biodegradable meshes activate human macrophages in vitro.
- Significant variations in cytokine and growth factor induction exist among different mesh products.
- These differential M/MØ activation patterns may influence inflammatory responses and the integration of meshes in hernia repair sites.

