Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 10
Wrong Resemblance?
Role of the Immune System in the
Biocompatibility of Nanostructured
Materials
Thomas Vorup-Jensen
Biophysical Immunology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology and
Immunology and The Lundbeck Foundation Nanomedicine Center for Individualized
Management of Tissue Damage and Regeneration, Aarhus University,
The Bartholin Building (1240), Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4,
DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
vorup-jensen@microbiology.au.dk
Considerable evidence points to the immune system as a formidable
barrier to the proper function of nanomaterials in the body. Results
from both experimental models and clinical applications suggest
that one of the major current challenges in nanomedicine is to
permit unhindered circulation of vehicles for drug delivery or tissue
repair. Biocompatibility of these vehicles has been sought out by
using materials with a biological origin that ensure low toxicity
and biodegradability. However, as discussed in this chapter, the
resemblance between physicochemical properties of such materials
and products from microbial organisms prompts a diversified
response from the immune system.
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