This study aimed to examine the effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on osteoblasts in metal wear-induced bone loss. TNF-α immunoexpression was examined in periprosthetic tissues of patients with failed metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties and also in myeloid MM6 cells after treatment with cobalt ions. Viability and function of human osteoblast-like SaOs-2 cells treated with recombinant TNF-α were studied by immunofluorescence, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Aims
Methods
Low-grade infections cannot be easily distinguished from aseptic complications frequently leading to false negative diagnoses and late onset of anti-bacterial therapy. Therefore, there is a great need to establish biomarkers for early detection of low-grade infections. In this study, we focused on the investigation of anti-α-defensin, anti-C3, anti-C5 and anti-C9 as potential biomarkers for infection in a cohort of hip and knee septic revision cases, taking patient characteristics and comorbidities into account. Here we included 78 patients with septic (35) and aseptic (43) (woman:37, men:42, age 50 – 93 years) revision surgeries of hip and knee. CRP serum levels and leucocyte blood values were evaluated. Patient characteristics, including age, number of prior revision surgeries and comorbidities were recorded. Periprosthetic tissue was stained histologically with Hematoxylin/Eosin and immunohistologically with different antibodies.Aim
Method
Mechanisms underlying implant failure remain incompletely described, though the presence of macrophage-mediated inflammatory reactions is well documented. Hypoxia has a critical role in many diseases and is known to be interdependent with inflammation. Metals used for joint replacements have also been reported to provoke hypoxia-like conditions. In view of this, we aim to investigate hypoxia-associated factors in aseptic loosening and osteoarthritis with a focus on macrophages. Western blotting, calorimetric assay, haematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, double-immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy were performed on capsular tissue obtained from patients undergoing primary implantation of a total hip replacement for osteoarthritis and from patients undergoing revision surgery for aseptic loosening to investigate the presence of hypoxia-associated factors.Background
Methods
