T cell subset distributions following primary and secondary implantation at subcutaneous biomaterial implant sites

Abstract Synthetic biomaterials are considered to be nonimmunogenic. Therefore, the role that adaptive immunity may play in the host response to implanted synthetic biomaterials has not been extensively studied. Cardinal features of adaptive immunity include specificity and T cell responses, which are greater and more effective with upregulation of activation receptors upon rechallenge. We compared the primary and secondary in vivo host response to three synthetic biomaterials: Elasthane 80A, silicone rubber, and polyethylene terephthalate using a cage implant model in Sprague Dawley rats. The synthetic biomedical polymers were subcutaneously implanted in cages for 14 days. Following explantation of the cages and a 2 week healing period, rats were implanted with cages containing the biomedical polymers for an additional 2 weeks. The cellular exudates within the cages were analyzed 4, 7, and 14 days post primary and secondary implantation by flow cytometry for the following cell types: T cells (inclusive of CD8 + , CD4 + , and CD4 + /CD25 + subsets), B cells, granulocytes, and macrophages. At day 14 following secondary implantation, there was an increase in T cells, granulocytes, and macrophages in the exudates when compared with primary implantation for all groups inclusive of the empty cage control. However, CD4 + /CD8 + ratios, the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + T cells, and the macrophage surface adhesion/fusion did not vary significantly upon secondary implantation. Despite a quantitative increase in T cells following secondary biomaterial exposure, T cell subset distribution did not change, indicating nonspecific recruitment rather than an adaptive immune response. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008