Biomaterial scaffolds are central to many tissue engineering strategies as they support cell attachment and promote tissue growth. However, scaffold implantation results in an unavoidable inflammatory response, which can impair intended interactions with the host tissue. Towards the goal of reducing inflammation, we investigated the hypothesis that local delivery of small molecules from a scaffold will modulate the number of leukocytes that infiltrate the implant site. Resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory polyphenol, was encapsulated within poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles using a single emulsion technique. Scaffolds were fabricated from the microparticles using gas foaming. Flow cytometry was used to quantify leukocyte infiltration into the epididymal fat of mice where scaffolds were implanted. We found that resveratrol delivery significantly decreased CD11b<sup>+</sup> monocyte infiltration relative to control scaffolds. This presentation will focus on how resveratrol delivery decreases monocyte infiltration by examining its effects on inflammatory gene expression in both adipocytes and stromal vascular cells within the implant site. Furthermore, we will characterize resveratrol release from the scaffold, its residence time in the tissue, and how long anti-inflammatory effects are expected to last. Collectively, this work will provide an understanding on how resveratrol delivery from biomaterial scaffolds affects the local immune environment and a foundation for future studies aimed at modulating gene expression within the adipose tissue using biomaterial-based delivery strategies.

Modulation of leukocyte infiltration into biomaterial scaffolds engineered to release anti-inflammatory small molecules

254th National Meeting (2017)

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