Ameliorative antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic activity of sulfonate-bearing polyetheretherketone toward orthopedic and dental implants

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has a similar elastic modulus to that of human bone and is considered a promising alternative for biomedical metallic implants. However, the poor antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic activity of bioinert PEEK impedes its clinical use for orthopedic and dental implants. Furthermore, using a single functional strategy to achieve all three biological functions simultaneously is challenging. Previous studies have demonstrated that sulfonate-bearing surfaces have antibacterial activity as well as decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Therefore, in this study, sulfonate groups were introduced onto the PEEK surface by a one-step ultraviolet-initiated graft polymerization method. In vitro studies revealed enhanced adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and osteo-differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Furthermore, the sulfonate-bearing PEEK had anti-inflammatory properties, and antibacterial activity to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Collectively, our findings indicate that PEEK implants bearing sulfonate groups with ameliorative antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic activity have potential clinical applications as orthopedic and dental implants.