Immunoengineered Biointerfaces: From Surface Design to Multicellular Immune Modulation

Over the past decade, biomaterials science has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from passive, bioinert materials intended primarily for structural support to complex immunoengineered constructs designed to actively interact with the host’s biological systems and direct clinical outcomes. The interplay between an implant and the host immune system is decisive for its biological fate: an unresolved immune response can lead to chronic inflammation, fibrous encapsulation, implant failure, and impaired tissue healing. As a result, the focus of biomaterial design has shifted toward engineered surfaces capable of actively engaging immune cells and guiding them toward anti-inflammatory, pro-regenerative, and anti-fibrotic phenotypes.While macrophage polarization has been a central focus of this field, the immune response to implanted materials is inherently multicellular, involving neutrophils, T cells, dendritic cells, and the complement system, alongside emerging contributions from innate lymphoid cells and stromal-immune crosstalk. A comprehensive understanding of these interactions, together with strategies to engineer biomaterials that modulate them in concert, is essential to overcome current barriers to clinical translation, including biocompatibility, scalability, reproducibility, and long-term safety.This Research Topic aims to advance a deeper understanding of immune–biomaterial interactions and to encourage innovation in immunoengineered surfaces that address pressing healthcare needs. What distinguishes this collection is its emphasis on emerging methodological frontiers, including AI-assisted and data-driven surface design, spatially resolved immune profiling at the material–tissue interface, and high-throughput screening of immunomodulatory cues; alongside more established strategies such as topographical mimicry, ECM-derived biochemical motifs, and bioinspired surface chemistries. By integrating these approaches, the Topic seeks to set the foundation for next-generation biomaterials offering personalized solutions, improved clinical outcomes, and long-term safety in regenerative medicine and implantable technologies.We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Innovative design and fabrication strategies for immunomodulatory and immune-instructive biomaterials- Surface modification techniques to direct innate and adaptive immune responses- Multicellular immune responses to engineered surfaces, including macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, dendritic cells, and complement activation- Mechanobiology and mechanotransduction in immunoengineered biomaterials- Drug delivery platforms for attenuated or tunable immune reactions- AI-assisted and computational approaches to immunoengineered surface design- Spatially resolved and single-cell profiling of the immune microenvironment at biomaterial interfaces- Strategies to overcome regulatory and safety challenges for immunoengineered biomaterials- Translational and clinical perspectives for next-generation immunoengineered biomaterials Topic editors: Andreea Mariana Negrescu, Anisoara Cimpean, VALENTINA MITRAN, Anca Mazare Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80048/immunoengineered-biointerfaces-from-surface-design-to-multicellular-immune-modulation