Zytokinprofil einer humanen Knochenmarkszellkultur nach Exposition mit Ultra - High - Molecular - Weight - Polyethylen - Abriebpartikeln

Abstract Polyethylene wear has been accepted as a major cause of osteolysis in total hip arthroplasty. We hypothesized that the release of ultra – high – molecular –weight polyethylene debris from the implants induces macrophage activation in the joint space. Then the activated macrophages release humoral factors, such as inflammatory cytokines, into the joint fluid. These cytokines may be transported to the bone marrow tissues around the implants where they stimulate the differentiation of the bone marrow cells into osteoclasts. Finally, the activated osteoclasts resorb the surrounding bone. To test this hypothesis, bone marrow cells were stimulated by ultra – high- molecular – weight polyethylene particles. The levels of interleukin – 6 (IL – 6), tumor necrosis factor – alpha (TNF – α) and interleukin 1 – beta (IL – β) were determined by enzyme – linked immunosorbent assay and were increased significantly. We stimulated bone marrow cells with UHMW – PE parcticles and observed the levels of secretion of the cytokines. The results of this study support our hypothesis and suggest that that one mechanism of osteololysis in failed arthroplasty is the more distant effects of pro – inflammatory cytokine release on osteoclast differentiation and / or activity