Assessing immunological properties of biomaterials for bone regeneration applications

Abstract: Regeneration of bone defects using biomaterials is an alternative to transplantation of autologous graft. The biomaterials must meet the requirements of functionality and should be bio- and immunocompatible, as any undesirable inflammatory or immune response induced by the biomaterial could worsen the outcome of the treatment. The chapter first briefly summarizes the course of acute and chronic inflammation and the key mechanisms of induction of specific immune response. The next part describes some options for testing biomaterial immunocompatibility, focusing on assessment of macrophage activation, dendritic cell maturation, and on in vivo subcutaneous implantation model.