Decoupling Bioactivity and Processability: RGD Click-Functionalized Coatings for a 3D-Printed PCL Scaffold

Salsano G, Sardo C, et al.

Biomacromolecules

University of Salerno, IPCB-CNR

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study presents a modular surface functionalization method for 3D-printed poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds using a clickable PCL derivative functionalized with maleimide groups (PCL-AE-L). The coating enables thiol–maleimide Michael addition with bioactive RGD peptides, improving cell adhesion and mineralization without altering bulk printability or mechanics. The PCL@RGD scaffolds exhibited enhanced wettability (contact angle reduced to 34°), increased surface roughness (Ra ≈ 46 µm), and supported greater SAOS-2 osteoblast adhesion and calcium deposition compared to unmodified scaffolds. This method decouples bioactivity enhancement from printing parameters, offering a tunable, post-processing strategy for bone tissue engineering.

Compression tests were performed on 3D-printed scaffolds using a CellScale UniVert 1 kN mechanical tester (200 N load cell, Waterloo, ON, Canada) to evaluate the influence of coating and peptide conjugation on mechanical properties. Cylindrical PCL and PCL@MAL scaffolds were compressed perpendicular to their surface up to 15% strain in 60 s. The Young’s modulus was calculated from the linear region of the stress–strain curve, yielding ~3.5 MPa for PCL and ~2.3 MPa for PCL@MAL, showing that the coating and RGD bioconjugation did not significantly affect mechanical integrity.

AUTHORS

Giulia Salsano; Carla Sardo; Angiola Guidone; Pierpaolo Coppola; Marina Sala; Maria Carmina Scala; Alessandra Soriente; Maria Grazia Raucci; Rita Patrizia Aquino; Giulia Auriemma.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Biomacromolecules

YEAR

2025

INSTITUTIONS

University of Salerno, IPCB-CNR

COUNTRIES

Italy

INSTRUMENT USED

UniVert

TESTING METHODS

Compression Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

3D Bioprinting & Bioink Materials TestingBone Tissue Engineering & MechanicsScaffold Mechanical Testing

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