A Metal‐Ion‐Incorporated Mussel‐Inspired Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)‐Based Polymer Coating Offers Improved Antibacterial Activity and Cellular Mechanoresponse Manipulation

Abstract

Cobalt (CoII) ions have been an attractive candidate for the biomedical modification of orthopedic implants for decades. However, limited research has been performed into how immobilized CoII ions affect the physical properties of implant devices and how these changes regulate cellular behavior. In this study we modified biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol) with terpyridine and catechol groups (PVA‐TP‐CA) to create a stable surface coating in which bioactive metal ions could be anchored, endowing the coating with improved broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as enhanced surface stiffness and cellular mechanoresponse manipulation. Strengthened by the addition of these metal ions, the coating elicited enhanced mechanosensing from adjacent cells, facilitating cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation on the surface coating. This dual‐functional PVA‐TP‐CA/Co surface coating offers a promising approach for improving clinical implantation outcomes.

Research progress in degradable metal‐based multifunctional scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

“…90 When the cobalt content was 1.25%, the scaffolds showed maximum osteoblast activity along with a significant reduction in apoptotic cells. 90 In addition, cobalt ions can be anchored to highly biocompatible coatings. Both methods endow the coatings with broad-spectrum antibiotic activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and enhance the scaffold surface hardness and cell mechanoresponsive behavior.…”

“…As hypoxia‐like reaction generators, cobalt ions can affect the properties of cobalt‐containing HA scaffolds and the behavior of cultured osteoblasts. In one study, HA effectively reduced the biological toxicity of Co ions 90 . When the cobalt content was 1.25%, the scaffolds showed maximum osteoblast activity along with a significant reduction in apoptotic cells 90 .…”

“…In one study, HA effectively reduced the biological toxicity of Co ions 90 . When the cobalt content was 1.25%, the scaffolds showed maximum osteoblast activity along with a significant reduction in apoptotic cells 90 . In addition, cobalt ions can be anchored to highly biocompatible coatings.…”