Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026
08:37
Polarization and Characterization of M1 and M2 Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages on Implant Surfaces
Published on: December 6, 2024
1.9K
Integrin-Mediated Interactions Control Macrophage Polarization in 3D Hydrogels.
Byung-Hyun Cha1,2,3, Su Ryon Shin1,2,3, Jeroen Leijten1,2,4
1Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|August 8, 2017
Summary
Biomaterials can control immune responses by guiding macrophage polarity. Integrin-mediated interactions within 3D biomaterial environments promote anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, crucial for implant success.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Adverse immune reactions hinder implantable device clinical use.
- Chronic inflammation from implants leads to failure.
- Macrophage polarity (M1 vs. M2) dictates inflammatory or healing responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate control of macrophage polarity within biomaterials.
- To investigate integrin-mediated interactions for modulating immune responses.
- To develop biomaterial-based programming for immune modulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human monocytic THP-1 cells and collagen-derived matrices.
- Engineered biomaterials with and without cell attachment motifs.
- Applied interleukin-4 (IL-4) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimuli.
- Performed surface marker, gene expression, biochemical, and cytokine profiling.
- Investigated the role of integrin α2β1 inhibition.
Main Results:
- Biomaterials lacking attachment sites induced proinflammatory M1 macrophages.
- Biomaterials with attachment sites and IL-4 induced anti-inflammatory M2-like macrophages.
- Integrin α2β1 inhibition blocked M2 macrophage induction.
- Biomaterial microenvironment modulated responses to IL-4 and LPS.
Conclusions:
- Integrin-mediated interactions in 3D biomaterial microenvironments can steer macrophage polarity.
- This offers a novel strategy for biomaterial-based immune programming.
- Controlling macrophage polarity is key to improving implantable device outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
3.7K
Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Some...
3.7K
01:15Activation of Integrins
5.3K
Integrins bind ligands and transmit information from outside the cell to inside or vice-versa through an "outside-in signaling" or "inside-out signaling."
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
In "outside-in signaling," external factors in the extracellular space bind to exposed ligand binding sites on integrins. This causes the inactive protein to undergo a conformational change to become active. Integrins are often clustered on the cell membrane. Repetitive and regularly spaced ligand binding...
5.3K