Recent advances in polymer-modified poly(lactic acid) for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most widely used biodegradable polymers for tissue engineering due to its biocompatibility, processability, and favorable mechanical strength. However, its intrinsic brittleness, hydrophobicity, and limited control over degradation and biological signaling require extensive modification. This review summarizes recent advances in polymer-based modification strategies that tailor PLA for tissue engineering applications. We systematically discuss physical blending, chemical copolymerization, and bulk and surface grafting, emphasizing how each approach regulates mechanical behaviour, degradation kinetics, surface bioactivity, and process compatibility across films, fibres, and three-dimensional scaffolds. Particularly, we discuss emerging liquid crystalline modification strategies that introduce intrinsic molecular order beyond conventional isotropic composites. By comparing structure–property–function relationships of molecularly programmed, multifunctional PLA platforms across various modification routes and fabrication methods, this review highlights current limitations and outlines future opportunities capable of meeting the complex demands of tissue engineering applications.