Fig. 4.

Immuno-functionalization and macrophage phenotype shift. a) Schematic demonstration of the immuno-functionalization of IL-4 cytokines to the 3D scaffolds. b) IL-4 loading content and c) IL-4 release profiles of the 3D scaffolds functionalized with 2D materials. d) Macrophage adhesion rates and e) immunofluorescence imaging of macrophages attached to the 3D scaffolds after immuno-functionalization. f) Flow cytometry analysis of macrophage phenotypes after staining with CD68 and CD206 antibodies. Confocal imaging of macrophages after immunofluorescence staining with g) M1 phenotypic marker antibodies (iNOS) and h) M2 phenotypic marker antibodies (CD206), together with a pan-macrophage marker (CD68) and DAPI. Quantitative analysis of i) iNOS⁺ cell ratio and j) CD206⁺ cell ratio after co-culture with leaching medium from immuno-functionalized 3D scaffolds. (*: p < 0.05).