Hydrogen bonding enforced supramolecular multifunctional nanocoating for implant osseointegration

Abstract

<p>Implant-associated infections, primarily resulting from bacterial colonization, represent a significant challenge that frequently leads to implant failure. Antibacterial coatings, particularly those incorporating antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), offer a promising strategy for mitigating these infections. However, the application methods for these coatings—whether chemical or physical—face considerable challenges regarding stability and efficacy. In this study, we introduce a novel approach that employs zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) as an intermediary physical adhesive layer between titanium implants and the self-assembled AMP GL13K. The incorporation of ZnONP enhances hydrogen bonding interactions, facilitated by the nanostructured interface and the abundant hydroxyl groups on the ZnONP surface, thereby significantly improving the stability of the coating. Additionally, GL13K and ZnONP demonstrate synergistic antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects, as validated through in vitro and in vivo studies. The enhanced stability of the coating, combined with improved antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic properties, collectively promotes osseointegration of mini-implants in a rat tibia infection model. Given the adaptability of this nanocoating system with other nanoparticles to further enhance hydrogen bonding, we propose it as a potential versatile solution for the supramolecular peptide coating of a diverse range of medical devices. <br></p>