Murine gut microbiota dysbiosis via enteric infection modulates the foreign body response to a distal biomaterial implant.

Unlabelled: The gut microbiota influences systemic immunity and the function of distal tissues, including the brain, liver, skin, lung, and muscle. However, the role of the gut microbiota in the foreign body response (FBR) and fibrosis around medical implants is largely unexplored. To investigate this connection, we perturbed the homeostasis of the murine gut microbiota via enterotoxigenic (ETBF) infection and implanted the synthetic polymer polycaprolactone (PCL) into a distal muscle injury.

Interleukin 17 and senescent cells regulate the foreign body response to synthetic material implants in mice and humans.

Medical devices and implants made of synthetic materials can induce an immune-mediated process when implanted in the body called the foreign body response, which results in formation of a fibrous capsule around the implant. To explore the immune and stromal connections underpinning the foreign body response, we analyzed fibrotic capsules surrounding surgically excised human breast implants from 12 individuals. We found increased numbers of interleukin 17 (IL17)-producing γδ T cells and CD4 T helper 17 (T17) cells as well as senescent stromal cells in the fibrotic capsules.