AB082. SOH25_AB_338. Biomaterials-based immunomodulatory strategies in vascularised composite allotransplantation
Scientific Session

AB082. SOH25_AB_338. Biomaterials-based immunomodulatory strategies in vascularised composite allotransplantation

Cian Hehir1,2,3, Ian Woods2, Fergal O’Brien2, Annie Curtis2, Roisin Dolan1,3

1Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; 2Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; 3Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Background: Vascularised composite allotransplantation (VCA) involves the transplantation of multiple, heterogeneous, tissue types from donor to recipient as a functional unit. VCA provides a life-changing treatment modality to patients who have suffered substantial tissue loss not amenable to autologous reconstruction. There has been substantial international progress in the field of VCA over the past decades with an increasing number of limb, facial and abdominal wall transplantations reported. The cellular heterogeneity if these composite grafts present a challenge in achieving operational tolerance. VCA differs from solid organ transplantation in that VCA is not a life-saving intervention but aims to restore function and quality of life to patients. As such, the risk-benefit profile of systemic immunosuppressive regimens and their associated morbidity limits the broader clinical application of VCA, necessitating innovative approaches to achieving allograft tolerance.

Methods: A systematic search of online databases was performed in September 2024. Relevant articles were critically appraised for inclusion.

Results: Biomaterials based immunomodulatory strategies have proven successful in achieving local immunomodulation in a multitude of preclinical VCA models. The common immunomodulatory target in many studies has been that of T lymphocytes with strategies aimed at inhibiting Effector T-Cell response (Teff) and enhancing Regulatory T-Cell (Treg) number and function. These strategies have demonstrated the capacity of biomaterials in influencing local immune response through staged, localised release of tolerogenic cytokines, immunosuppressive medications and artificial antigen presenting cell technologies.

Conclusions: Biomaterials offer a dynamic modular toolbox capable of multi-modal localised immunomodulation. These promising immunomodulatory strategies constitute critical progress for the field of allotransplantation.

Keywords: Biomaterials; allotransplantation; vascularised composite allotransplantation (VCA); regulatory T cells; immunomodulation

Acknowledgments

None.

Footnote

Funding: None.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

doi: 10.21037/map-25-ab082
Cite this abstract as: Hehir C, Woods I, O’Brien F, Curtis A, Dolan R. AB082. SOH25_AB_338. Biomaterials-based immunomodulatory strategies in vascularised composite allotransplantation. Mesentery Peritoneum 2025;9:AB082.

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