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Infectious versus non-infectious loosening of implants: activation of T lymphocytes differentiates between the two entities

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Abstract

Purpose

Loosening of implants occurs mainly for two reasons: bacterial infection of the implant or “aseptic loosening” presumably due to wear particles derived from the implant. To gain further insight into the pathomechanism, we analysed activation of the T cell response in these patients.

Methods

Activation of peripheral T lymphocytes was determined by cytofluorometry as down-regulation of CD28 and up-regulation of CD11b. In addition, tissue samples obtained during surgery were analysed by quantitative RT-PCR for gene expression of CD3, CD14 and cathepsin K, as markers for T cells, monocytes/macrophages or osteoclasts, respectively.

Results

Activated T lymphocytes were detected in patients with infection but not in patients with aseptic loosening. Gene expression of CD3 was significantly enhanced in tissues of patients with infection compared to those with aseptic loosening. Expression of CD14 and of cathepsin K did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusion

Implant-associated infection and aseptic loosening are associated with a local inflammatory response, which eventually results in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Systemic T cell activation, in contrast, occurs only in patients with implant-associated infection, and hence analysis of T cell activation markers could serve as a diagnostic tool to differentiate between the two entities.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200a, 69118, Heidelberg, Germany

    Ulrike Dapunt

  2. Department of Immunology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Thomas Giese, Birgit Prior & G. Maria Hänsch

  3. Department of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Matthias M. Gaida

Authors
  1. Ulrike Dapunt
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  2. Thomas Giese
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  3. Birgit Prior
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  4. Matthias M. Gaida
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  5. G. Maria Hänsch
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Correspondence to Ulrike Dapunt.

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Dapunt, U., Giese, T., Prior, B. et al. Infectious versus non-infectious loosening of implants: activation of T lymphocytes differentiates between the two entities. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 38, 1291–1296 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2310-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-014-2310-5

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