Self-standing films of medical grade PLA/PEG copolymers for guided bone regeneration

Both resorbable and non-resorbable membranes are intensely investigated as barriers materials for guided bone regeneration (GBR) due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. To optimize their performance in bone regeneration, the chemical, physical, and biological properties of these membranes must be precisely engineered, balancing mechanical strength and controlled degradation. In this study, self-standing films for GBR applications were developed from medical-grade PLA/polyethylene glycol (PEG) copolymers. The films were prepared by spin coating of copolymer inks that included dichloromethane as a solvent, and hydroxyapatite (HA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains as additives. The resulting films exhibited a thickness of 120–150 μm, a disordered arrangement of the copolymer chains, and initial poor toughness. The incorporation of PEG increased the toughness and hydrophilicity of the films and accelerated their degradation while HA improved their bioactivity but compromised their mechanical properties. The combination of HA and PEG produced films with a favorable balance between mechanical integrity and bioactivity. Cytocompatibility was confirmed with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells, supporting the potential of these films for GBR applications. Osteogenic differentiation was reduced in films lacking HA, whereas HA substantially improved osteogenesis by serving as adhesion nodes for differentiated cells.