Designer Micro-/Nanocrumpled MXene Multilayer Coatings Accelerate Osteogenesis and Regulate Macrophage Polarization

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Immunology

Background:

• Effective tissue regeneration and immune responses are crucial for successful biomaterial implantation.
• The role of surface topography in regulating the osteoimmune microenvironment is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of surface topography on osteogenesis and immunomodulation.
• To engineer MXene/hydroxyapatite (HAP)-coated surfaces with controlled topographical patterns.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of MXene/HAP-coated surfaces with 2.5D nano-, submicro-, and microscale topographical patterns.
• Assessment of osteoblast precursor cell behavior and macrophage polarization on engineered surfaces.

Main Results:

• Microscale crumpled topography on MXene/HAP surfaces enhanced osteoblast precursor cell spreading, proliferation, and differentiation.
• These surfaces promoted a shift in macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory, prohealing M2 phenotype.
• Synergistic effects of physical (topography) and chemical (MXene/HAP) cues created a favorable osteoimmune microenvironment.

Conclusions:

• MXene/HAP-multilayer coatings with crumpled topography can concurrently facilitate osteogenesis and immunomodulation.
• This approach offers improved implant-to-tissue integration.
• Tunable topographic patterns and scalable fabrication make these coatings broadly applicable for biomedical purposes.