Variations in UHMWPE Particle Morphology Result in Different Cellular and Cytokine Responses in the Murine Air Pouch Model

Published

October 12, 2021

Author(s)

P H. Wooley, Z Song, L Mayton, S Nasser, U Cho, M C. Shen, Stephen M. Hsu

Abstract

The etiology of aseptic loosening (AL) following total joint replacement arthroplasty remains unclear, but the generation of small wear particles from the prosthetic components is known to contribute to the pathology of AL. These particles stimulate local cellular responses, and provoke inflammation, the release of soluble factors including cytokines, and subsequent bone resorption. In this study the nature of the cellular and cytokine responses to three ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear particle populations (differing only in size and shape) were examined using the murine air-pouch model of inflammation. This model provides a fluid-filled, synovial-like environment to investigate the response to particles in vivo. The hypothesis is that different wear particle size and shape may have different activity in provoking cellular and cytokine responses. Once the relationship between particle size and shape and cytokine response is understood, new materials that minimize the production of specific sizes and shapes may be developed for more durable components.

Citation

Biomaterials

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

cellular response, cytokine response, murine air-pouch model, UHMWPE, wear particle

Citation

Wooley, P. , Song, Z. , Mayton, L. , Nasser, S. , Cho, U. , Shen, M. and Hsu, S. (2021), Variations in UHMWPE Particle Morphology Result in Different Cellular and Cytokine Responses in the Murine Air Pouch Model, Biomaterials (Accessed October 14, 2025)