Titanium particles from artificial joints may play a direct role in painful inflammation

Many people with painful, creaky knees and hips find relief after replacing their bad joints with new artificial joints made from titanium. But some of these people develop painful inflammation that can lead to bone destruction and loosening of the new joint. A new study led by researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and published by the Journal of Immunology suggests that tiny titanium particles that flake away from the artificial joints through normal wear and tear may play a direct role in that inflammation.

Prior studies have suggested that inflammation is caused by bits of bacteria that stick to dislodged titanium particles and activate an immune response. But Pankaj Mishra in the laboratory of William Gause in the Department of Medicine and the Center for Immunity and Inflammation, in collaboration with Joseph Benevenia in the Department of Orthopedics, at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School now finds that titanium particles themselves trigger inflammation in mice.

The type of inflammatory response that ensued when titanium particles were introduced—known as a Th2 response—is typically associated with allergic responses and parasitic worm infections and results in the generation of immune cells called alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs). The immune system thus responds to these "inert" micron-sized particles as if they were allergens or invading multicellular parasites. The potential effects of a Th2 response in the joint are not completely clear, but there is increasing evidence that AAMs contribute to bone destruction in prosthesis recipients and in patients with certain type of arthritis.

Source:

 University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
More than 100,000 young people in the US live with inflammatory bowel disease