Study of bioactive 3D-printed scaffolds incorporating zinc-based MOF for bone defect repair and anti-inflammatory applications

The development of bioactive scaffolds capable of orchestrating osteogenesis while modulating inflammatory responses remains a critical challenge in bone tissue engineering. To address this unmet need, we engineered a multifunctional composite scaffold through precise integration of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), type I collagen, zinc-imbued metal-organic frameworks (Zn-MOFs), and macrophage chemotactic factor (MCF) via extrusion-based 3D printing. Systematic biological assessments in vitro revealed the scaffold's remarkable osteoinductive capacity, evidenced by significant upregulation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (2.78±0.10 fold increase vs control, p<0.05) and enhanced collagen type I deposition (10.79±1.12 fold increase vs control, p<0.05) within 14 days of culture. In vivo implantation in rat femoral defect models demonstrated superior bone regeneration outcomes, with micro-CT analysis showing bone volume/ total volume (BV/TV) 31.39±3.04% compared to 16.44±3.26% in control (P<0.05). The Zn-MOF component mediated sustained release of Zn 2+ ions (cumulative release: 89.6±9.08% over 18 days). This dual-functional system synergistically combines MCF-driven cellular recruitment with Zn 2+ -mediated immunomodulation, creating a pro-regenerative microenvironment. Our findings not only demonstrate the feasibility of 3D-printed multi-material constructs for complex tissue engineering applications but also establish a new paradigm for developing smart biomaterials that concurrently address biological regeneration and inflammatory control.