Biomaterial-mediated macrophage polarization remodeling and sequential regulation: a potential strategy in bone infections treatment

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Osteomyelitis remains a global challenge in the field of orthopedics. Even after standard debridement and antibiotic-assisted treatment, the long-term recurrence rate remains at 20%-30%. Given the dynamic changes in immune responses and defense mechanisms during bone infection, as well as the complex "race for the surface" involving bacterial adhesion and host cells (macrophages and tissue cells) on implant surfaces, biomaterials with immunomodulatory functions have attracted considerable attention. Macrophages, as crucial components of the immune system, participate in the inflammatory regulation and tissue remodeling of bone infections through highly plastic polarization mechanisms after bacterial invasion. The different microenvironmental characteristics and therapeutic needs at different stages of bone infection highlight the promising applications of biomaterials capable of macrophage polarization remodeling and sequential regulation. In this review, we provide a detailed discussion of the complex immune regulatory patterns in the bone infection microenvironment and the critical functions of macrophage polarization. We then explore how implant surface properties influence bacterial adhesion and macrophage function, highlighting the importance of achieving precise and dynamic regulation of macrophage polarization based on the Race for the Surface theory. Furthermore, we foc

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

Browse all related research

Filter the research library by this study's title keywords, author, or publication year.