Don't judge an implant by its cover: how the foreign body response and fibrotic capsule might be harnessed for good.

Biomaterials are widely used, yet when implanted, they elicit a complex reaction from the host called the foreign body response (FBR). Although the FBR is typically viewed as a deleterious response to implants, many potential benefits of the FBR have recently been identified. This review highlights the variety of ways that the FBR has been harnessed for positive outcomes, including tissue engineering and disease monitoring.