Dual porosity hybrid PCL/Chitosan Scaffolds obtained via 3D Printing for Periodontal Regeneration and Antibacterial Performance

Dual porosity hybrid PCL/Chitosan Scaffolds obtained via 3D Printing for Periodontal Regeneration and Antibacterial Performance A. Zanfardino1, A. Gloria2,3, V. Peluso3, S. Scialla3, G. Castagliuolo1, R. De Santis3, M. Varcamonti1, T. Russo3*

1 Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy

2 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy

3 Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, 80125, Naples, Italy,

*teresa.russo@cnr.it

Periodontal and craniofacial tissue regeneration remains a major clinical challenge due to the complex mechanical, biological, and antimicrobial requirements of the local microenvironment. Effective scaffolds must provide adequate structural support, promote cell adhesion and proliferation, enable controlled degradation, and prevent bacterial colonization. In this context, hybrid biomaterials combining synthetic and natural polymers represent a promising strategy to address these multifaceted demands1. Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CS) offer complementary mechanical and biological properties suitable for periodontal tissue engineering.

This study aimed to design, fabricate, and characterize 3D-printed PCL/CS hybrid scaffolds featuring interconnected dual porosity for periodontal regeneration. The scaffolds were manufactured by combining a rigid PCL framework with large, regularly distributed pores and an internal chitosan-based network with smaller pores, resulting in a hierarchical architecture capable of enhancing mechanical stability and biological performance. Morphological characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) to assess pore geometry and interconnectivity. Physicochemical properties were evaluated through swelling, in vitro degradation, and compressive mechanical testing.

Biological performance was assessed by cytocompatibility and proliferation assays using periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and osteoblast-like MG63 cells. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against representative oral pathogens, including Streptococcus mutans. SEM and µ-CT analyses confirmed the formation of a highly interconnected dual-porosity network, supporting efficient nutrient diffusion and cell infiltration. The scaffolds exhibited tuneable degradation behaviour and adequate compressive modulus (approximately 400–440 MPa), consistent with the mechanical requirements of periodontal and adjacent mineralized tissues2. In vitro studies demonstrated high cell viability, robust adhesion, and proliferation on scaffold surfaces, while antimicrobial assays revealed significant inhibition of bacterial growth.

The integration of material chemistry and scaffold architecture also enables the use of the chitosan phase as a potential reservoir for localized delivery of bioactive agents, including drugs, proteins, and antimicrobial peptides, offering further opportunities to enhance regenerative outcomes. Overall, the developed 3D-printed PCL/CS hybrid scaffolds exhibited multifunctional properties, combining mechanical integrity, hierarchical porosity, antimicrobial activity, and excellent biocompatibility.

Although the present work represents an initial step toward clinically relevant periodontal scaffolds, the results demonstrate strong potential for translational applications. Future studies will focus on graded and compartmentalized scaffold designs, incorporation of targeted antibacterial cues, and in vivo validation in preclinical models to assess tissue integration, inflammatory response, and long-term functional regeneration.

References

[1] Hutmacher D. W. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 2001, 12(1), 107–124.

[2] V. Peluso, R. De Santis, A. Gloria, G. Castagliuolo, A. Zanfardino, M. Varcamonti, T. Russo. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2025, 8, 6817–6829.

Abstract

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Teresa Russo (Ph.D.)