Iain E. Dunlop

Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM) defines the biomechanical and biochemical microenvironment of tissues, directing cell behaviour and phenotype. In the ovary, ECM must dynamically remodel in each cycle under hormonal regulation to control follicle development and produce fertilizable oocytes.

1 Introduction Recent years have seen an alarming rise in infections, immunological disorders including autoimmune diseases, anaphylactic allergic reactions, implant rejections, and certain cancers which involves inappropriate activation or suppression of the immune system.[1-3] Immune cells – lymphocytes (natural killer (NK) cells, B cells, and T cells), monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells – play a major role in maintaining and...

Recent advances in biomaterials design offer the potential to actively control immune cell activation and behaviour. Many human diseases, such as infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, are partly mediated by inappropriate or insufficient activation of the immune system. T cells play a central role in the host immune response to these diseases, and so constitute a promising cell type for manipulation.