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Nanomaterial-based drug delivery of immunomodulatory factors for bone and cartilage tissue engineering. Biomaterials advances As life expectancy continues to increase, so do disorders related to the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedics-related impairments remain a challenge, with nearly 325 thousand and 120 thousand deaths recorded in 2019. Musculoskeletal system, including bone and cartilage tissue, is a living system in which cells constantly interact with the immune system, which plays a key role in the tissue repair process. An alternative to bridge the gap between these two systems is exploiting nanomaterials, as they have proven to serve as delivery agents of an array of molecules, including immunomodulatory agents (anti-inflammatory drugs, cytokines), as well as having the ability to mimic tissue by their nanoscopic structure and promote tissue repair per se. Therefore, this review outlooks nanomaterials and immunomodulatory factors widely employed in the area of bone and cartilage tissue engineering. Emerging developments in nanomaterials for delivery of immunomodulatory agents for bone and cartilage tissue engineering applications have also been discussed. It can be concluded that latest progress in nanotechnology have enabled to design intricate systems with the ability to deliver biologically active agents, promoting tissue repair and regeneration; thus, nanomaterials studied herein have shown great potential to serve as immunomodulatory agents in the area of tissue engineering. 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213637
Toward a Better Regeneration through Implant-Mediated Immunomodulation: Harnessing the Immune Responses. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) Tissue repair/regeneration, after implantation or injury, involves comprehensive physiological processes wherein immune responses play a crucial role to enable tissue restoration, amidst the immune cells early-stage response to tissue damages. These cells break down extracellular matrix, clear debris, and secret cytokines to orchestrate regeneration. However, the immune response can also lead to abnormal tissue healing or scar formation if not well directed. This review first introduces the general immune response post injury, with focus on the major immune cells including neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells. Next, a variety of implant-mediated immunomodulation strategies to regulate immune response through physical, chemical, and biological cues are discussed. At last, various scaffold-facilitated regenerations of different tissue types, such as, bone, cartilage, blood vessel, and nerve system, by harnessing the immunomodulation are presented. Therefore, the most recent data in biomaterials and immunomodulation is presented here in a bid to shape expert perspectives, inspire researchers to go in new directions, and drive development of future strategies focusing on targeted, sequential, and dynamic immunomodulation elicited by implants. 10.1002/advs.202100446