SLA 3D-printed PEGDA/PVA/gelatin hydrogel scaffolds with periodontal ligament-mimetic mechanics and intrinsic antifouling properties.

Abstract

Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membranes are critical for periodontal therapy but are often limited by mechanical collapse at the defect site and by a high susceptibility to bacterial infection. To address these limitations, we report the development of a custom-formulated, biomimetic semi-interpenetrating network (IPN) scaffold composed of unmodified PEGDA, PVA, and gelatin, fabricated via high-resolution stereolithography (SLA). Rheological characterization identified a precise viscosity window (100-200 mPa s) that enables the formation of intricate, interconnected pores (500-700 µm) essential for vascularization. The resulting scaffolds exhibited tensile strength values of 0.04-0.90 N mm-2 across the hydrated and dry states; the dry-state value approaches the lower end of the reported native human periodontal ligament range (1-5 N mm-2), while the hydrated state remains substantially more compliant, an intentional trade-off that prioritizes conformability to the defect site over immediate load-bearing, providing the necessary structural support during tissue remodelling. Notably, the scaffolds demonstrated dual functionality: promoting significant increases in osteoblastic cell viability (112.7 ± 8.73% for MG63) and fibroblastic viability (96.83 ± 2.68%), while simultaneously exhibiting antifouling behaviour against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These results suggest that the 3D-printed PEGDA/PVA/gelatin scaffold is a superior, multifunctional candidate for advanced periodontal tissue engineering, offering a unique combination of mechanical biomimicry and infection resistance.