Personalized 3D Printed Biodegradable Biofilms Enhance Guided Bone Regeneration

The study of multifunctional zinc-based biofilms, which can inhibit the growth of fibroblasts, allow the transport of nutrients, show antibacterial properties and at the same time regulate the release of zinc ions from zinc scaffolds, exert anti-inflammatory and osteoinductive effects, and finally biodegrade after completing these functions. A porous material combining chitosan, silk fibroin, and tannic acid was electrochemically deposited as a coating on 3D-printed zinc scaffolds. Mechanical strength was evaluated through tensile, compression, and microhardness tests. Transwell experiments confirmed fibroblast protection and nutrient permeability. In vivo staining and microscopy demonstrated the biofilm's inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonas gingivalis. ALP staining indicated enhanced osteoblast differentiation. A cranial defect model verified its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Personalized 3D-printed zinc scaffolds can be customized to match the contour of a patient’s bone defect, while a uniform porous biomembrane forms on the scaffold surface. Mechanical testing confirmed the material’s effectiveness and favorable mechanical properties, and Transwell experiments demonstrated the biomembrane’s ability to prevent epithelial fibroblast infiltration into the bone defect area. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments validated the biomembrane’s potent bactericidal properties and osteogenic activity. We have successfully developed a multifunctional biomembrane combining semi-permeability, antibacterial activity, osteogenesis and controlled degradability. Notably, the zinc-based membrane's degradation rate closely matches bone regeneration kinetics, demonstrating significant potential as a novel guided bone regeneration membrane.