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A novel PCL fiber membrane with a gradient structure for guided bone regeneration
Fanqi Jin1, Zheng Zhou2, Dingyu Jiang3
1Science and Technology on Advanced Ceramic Fibers and Composites Laboratory, College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology Changsha China zhangxiaoshan15@nudt.edu.cn.
RSC Advances
|April 23, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel gradient polycaprolactone (PCL) membrane for guided bone regeneration (GBR). The new membrane offers improved mechanical strength and enhanced cellular infiltration, promoting better bone repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes are crucial for bone repair, acting as physical barriers and supporting osteogenesis.
- Conventional bilayer membranes suffer from mechanical mismatch and delamination due to abrupt interfaces, limiting their clinical efficacy.
- There is a need for advanced GBR membranes with improved mechanical integrity and controlled cellular interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, one-step fabricated polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber membrane with a continuous gradient structure for guided bone regeneration.
- To investigate the mechanical properties, cellular behavior, and osteogenic potential of the gradient GBR membrane.
- To compare the performance of the gradient membrane with traditional bilayer membranes.
Main Methods:
- A one-step electrospinning strategy was employed to create a PCL fiber membrane with a continuous gradient in porosity and fiber orientation.
- Controlled humidity and collection speed during electrospinning modulated the gradient structure.
- Mechanical testing (peel strength, tensile strength), cell adhesion and infiltration studies, and assessment of collagen and calcium deposition and osteogenic gene expression were performed.
Main Results:
- The gradient PCL membrane exhibited significantly improved mechanical properties, including a 2.4-fold higher peel strength and 2.42-fold higher tensile strength compared to conventional membranes.
- The gradient structure reduced cell stacking by approximately 55% and facilitated differential cell adhesion and infiltration.
- Cells showed enhanced infiltration depth (over 2.4 times greater) into the porous, random fiber region, along with increased collagen and calcium deposition and upregulated osteogenic gene expression.
Conclusions:
- The developed gradient GBR membrane overcomes the limitations of traditional bilayer membranes by eliminating weak interfacial regions.
- The gradient structure provides superior mechanical stability and enables bidirectional cellular regulation, promoting enhanced bone regeneration.
- This novel gradient membrane represents a promising advancement in guided bone regeneration therapies.
