Janus sponge/electrospun fibre composite combined with EGF/bFGF/CHX promotes reconstruction in oral tissue regeneration

Abstract

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is currently the most widely used bone augmentation technique in oral clinics. However, infection and soft tissue management remain the greatest challenge. In this study, a Janus sponge/electrospun fibre membrane containing epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and chlorhexidine (CHX) were prepared to optimize its application as a barrier membrane for GBR. The loose sponge part was covalently bonded with the fiber part which has a dense structure. The composed scaffold exhibited superior biocompatibility and antibacterial activity verified by in vitro test. A rat model of unilateral skull bone injury was used to confirm the effectiveness on both hard and soft tissue regeneration. The chitosan sponge on the soft tissue side containing EGF, bFGF and CHX had a loose structure, promoting collagen and cell regeneration and exerting an antibacterial effect. Meanwhile, the dense PLGA/PCL layer on the hard tissue side prevented fibroblast entry into the bone defect, thereby facilitating bone regeneration. The Janus composite scaffold provides a promising strategy for oral tissue restoration.