Immune roles of canonically non-immune cells in biomaterials response

Despite advances in immunology, including recognition of the immune-related functions of cells beyond leukocytes, a disconnect remains between immunology and biomaterials development. Such advances have not been consistently integrated into biomaterials research, and this gap is even more pronounced for these canonically non-immune cells. This review describes the immune-related functions of select canonically non-immune cells and their interactions with biomaterials. Evidence is provided for how canonically non-immune cells respond to biomaterials in immunomodulatory ways, and how incorporating these cells, their components, or their products into biomaterials influences the immune system. Notably, many relevant biomaterials studies do not focus on the immune functions of cells besides classical immune cells. Such data are often treated as peripheral findings rather than primary topics of investigation. By assembling these findings, this review provides a comprehensive map of what is currently known about the immune-related functions of canonically non-immune cells in the context of biomaterials.