Chirality‐Encoded Biomaterials Regulate Local and Systemic Immune Responses in Transplantation

Biomaterial-based immune modulation offers an opportunity to achieve localized graft acceptance without systemic immunosuppression. Here, we demonstrate that molecular chirality within microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogels governs innate and adaptive immune responses in skin transplantation and is associated with modulation of alloimmune outcomes. By engineering injectable MAP scaffolds composed of microgels crosslinked with L- or D-peptides, we show that chirality directs early antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation and trafficking in draining lymph nodes, leading to distinct T cell polarization profiles. A mixed-chirality formulation (R-MAP) composed of L- and D-microgels is associated with reduced APC co-stimulatory signaling (MHC II, CD80, CD86) and preserves graft architecture and tissue integration in syngeneic transplants. In fully allogeneic skin grafts, local mixed-chirality MAP implantation is associated with reduced donor-specific antibody (DSA) formation and attenuated antimaterial and antidonor IgG responses, achieving sustained attenuation of humoral alloimmunity within the experimental conditions studied. These findings establish stereochemical control of biomaterial composition as a design principle for modulating APC-T-B cell crosstalk, linking local material cues to systemic immune outcomes. Mixed-chirality MAP scaffolds thus provide a versatile platform for spatially confined, chirality-guided immunomodulation, with implications for transplantation, regenerative medicine, and biomaterial-driven tolerance strategies.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2026-07-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.74185
Primary Topic
Wound Healing and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Chirality‐Encoded Biomaterials Regulate Local and Systemic Immune Responses in Transplantation

Tatiana Segura, Alejandra Suarez‐Arnedo, Pablo Cordero Alvarado, April Espinoza et al.
Advanced Materials
Wound Healing and Treatments
article

Chirality‐Encoded Biomaterials Regulate Local and Systemic Immune Responses in Transplantation

Tatiana Segura, Alejandra Suarez‐Arnedo, Pablo Cordero Alvarado, April Espinoza, Samantha Owusu-Antwi, Sydney Jeffs, Reshma Goud, Holly C. Lewis
article en

Abstract

Biomaterial-based immune modulation offers an opportunity to achieve localized graft acceptance without systemic immunosuppression. Here, we demonstrate that molecular chirality within microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogels governs innate and adaptive immune responses in skin transplantation and is associated with modulation of alloimmune outcomes. By engineering injectable MAP scaffolds composed of microgels crosslinked with L- or D-peptides, we show that chirality directs early antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation and trafficking in draining lymph nodes, leading to distinct T cell polarization profiles. A mixed-chirality formulation (R-MAP) composed of L- and D-microgels is associated with reduced APC co-stimulatory signaling (MHC II, CD80, CD86) and preserves graft architecture and tissue integration in syngeneic transplants. In fully allogeneic skin grafts, local mixed-chirality MAP implantation is associated with reduced donor-specific antibody (DSA) formation and attenuated antimaterial and antidonor IgG responses, achieving sustained attenuation of humoral alloimmunity within the experimental conditions studied. These findings establish stereochemical control of biomaterial composition as a design principle for modulating APC-T-B cell crosstalk, linking local material cues to systemic immune outcomes. Mixed-chirality MAP scaffolds thus provide a versatile platform for spatially confined, chirality-guided immunomodulation, with implications for transplantation, regenerative medicine, and biomaterial-driven tolerance strategies.

Advanced Materials
Duke University (US), Pratt Institute (US)
National Institutes of Health
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Wound Healing and Treatments
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