Facile Amidogen Bio-Activation Method Can Boost the Soft Tissue Integration on 3D Printed Poly–Ether–Ether–Ketone Interface

Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) implants with good mechanical properties and chemical inertia, meet the urgent needs of bone substitute. However, its inert interface leads to poor soft tissue integration, which prolongs healing time of surgical incision with many complications. Herein, (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane is connected to 3D printed (3DP) PEEK interface by chemical modification. The homogeneous amino groups on amidogen interface enhance PEEK's hydrophilicity and proteinophilia significantly. Fibroblasts cultured on the amidogen PEEK interface show much stronger potential of cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, soft tissue ingrowth into 3DP PEEK scaffold occurs more and faster in the amidogen interface in vivo. The observation of the microstructure shows tighter implant–tissue bonding interfaces on the amidogen PEEK. To mimic real surgery, 3DP PEEK implants of the same proportions in clinical practice are used to reconstruct the chest wall defects of rabbits. A significant reduction in healing time and incision complications are observed in the amidogen PEEK groups. In addition, 19 related proteins are found in the fibroblasts cultured on the amidogen PEEK interface, which can be used to trace the biological mechanisms. In all, the facile amidogen bio-activation method can significantly boost the soft tissue integration on 3DP PEEK interface with less surgical complications.