Enhanced Infection Resistance and Regenerative Healing of Titanium Implants via Peptide‐Loaded Biodegradable Coatings

ABSTRACT This study reports biodegradable polymer coatings incorporating a naturally derived antimicrobial peptide to provide sustained infection control and enhance regenerative healing of titanium bone implants. Titanium is widely used for permanent implants due to excellent mechanical properties, and additive manufacturing enables patient‐specific, porous architectures that promote osseointegration. However, bacterial colonization and periprosthetic infection remain significant challenges, particularly for complex porous geometries. We developed a straightforward solvent‐casting method to apply polycaprolactone (PCL) coatings loaded with the host defense peptide caerin 1.9 (F3) onto additively manufactured Ti‐6Al‐4 V scaffolds with gyroid triply periodic minimal surface structures. As‐built scaffolds (≈56% porosity) exhibited substantial roughness from partially melted powder, whereas polishing increased porosity (≈66%), removed surface defects, and improved crack resistance. Peptide‐loaded PCL coatings provided sustained in vitro antibacterial activity for up to 168 h and demonstrated in vivo protection beyond 72 h in a murine model challenged with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus . The coatings showed no cytotoxicity and promoted increased expression of proteins associated with tissue healing. These dual‐function antimicrobial and pro‐regenerative coatings offer a promising strategy to improve the safety and biocompatibility of additively manufactured titanium implants.