Synergistic osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and immune reprogramming by a metal-phenolic functionalized electrospun fibrous membrane for alveolar bone regeneration

Alveolar bone defects, whether caused by pathology or trauma, severely compromise oral function and facial aesthetics. However, current commercial guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes exhibit limitations in mechanical properties, degradation rate matching, and osteogenic activity. In response to these challenges, this study developed a multifunctional bioactive electrospun fibrous membrane (EFM) composed of silk fibroin and polycaprolactone and loaded with curcumin-strontium nanoparticles (Cur-Sr/SF/PCL). This membrane demonstrates superior mechanical strength, suitable degradation behavior, and effective barrier function against soft tissue infiltration. Crucially, the synergistic release of curcumin and Sr 2+ collectively promotes osteogenic differentiation, enhances angiogenic capacity, and modulates the immune microenvironment, ultimately facilitating alveolar bone regeneration. Mechanistic analysis has further revealed that the pro-osteogenic effect of the Cur-Sr/SF/PCL EFM could be mediated by the initiation of the Wnt/Ca 2+ /calcineurin (CaN) signaling cascade. In summary, the Cur-Sr/SF/PCL EFM designed in this study synergistically promotes bone regeneration through multiple biological mechanisms, thus providing a promising and novel GBR approach for alveolar bone defect repair.