Introduction

A major problem in orthopaedic surgery is aseptic loosening of prosthetic implants caused by wear particle associated osteolysis. Wear debris is known to impact on a variety of cellular responses and genes in multiple pathways associated with the development of the periprosthetic osteolysis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as negative regulators of gene expression and the importance of miRNAs in joint pathologies has only recently been addressed. However, miRNA profiles in osteolytic bone are largely unknown. Using the latest Next Generation Sequencing technologies, we have investigated miRNA expression profiles in human trabecular bone sourced from bone discarded during total hip replacement (THR) revision surgery where wear particle associated osteolysis was evident.