A hydrated HA/F127 biointerface for polyphenol release modulation and active–passive antibacterial protection on EGCG-loaded UHMWPE joint materials

Periprosthetic joint infection remains a major challenge for artificial joint materials, highlighting the need for antibacterial and anti-adhesive ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) surfaces. Here, a hydrated hyaluronic acid (HA)/Pluronic F127 biointerface was constructed on epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-loaded UHMWPE to couple polyphenol release modulation with active–passive antibacterial protection. The HA/F127 layer contributed to enhancing the outward migration of EGCG from the UHMWPE matrix. Compared with uncoated EGCG/UHMWPE, this hydrated interface increased the 24 h cumulative EGCG release by 52%, with micro-FTIR depth profiling revealing surface-biased residual EGCG redistribution rather than broad matrix depletion. This release-modulating interface enhanced antibacterial activity, achieving inhibition ratios of 95% against Staphylococcus aureus and 91% against Escherichia coli . By reducing protein adsorption and bacterial retention, the hydrated HA/F127 surface further provided passive anti-adhesive protection complementary to EGCG-mediated bacterial inhibition. The modified surface maintained good cytocompatibility and exhibited a short-term boundary-lubrication effect. Overall, this work presents an active-release/passive-antifouling biointerface strategy to address infection-related challenges of UHMWPE-based biomaterials. Graphical abstract A hydrated HA/F127 biointerface was constructed on EGCG-loaded UHMWPE through stepwise interfacial immobilization. The polymeric interface modulates EGCG release while reducing bacterial/protein adhesion, thereby coupling EGCG-mediated active antibacterial activity with passive anti-adhesion and boundary lubrication for infection-resistant UHMWPE joint materials.