Wear particles promote reactive oxygen species-mediated inflammation via the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase pathway in macrophages surrounding loosened implants.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Prosthesis loosening is closely associated with chronic inflammatory cytokine secretion by macrophages, which are activated by wear particles or inflammatory stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical regulators of inflammation, but their enzymatic sources in response to wear particles and their effects on peri-implant LPS-tolerance remain unclear.

METHODS: Three ROS-related enzymes-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX)-1 and -2 and catalase-were investigated in interface membrane tissues and in titanium (Ti) particle-stimulated macrophages in vitro. The generation of ROS and downstream inflammatory effects were measured with or without pre-incubation with apocynin, an NOX inhibitor.

RESULTS: Pre-exposure to Ti particles attenuated NF-κB activation in LPS-stimulated macrophages, indicating that wear particles suppress immune response, which may lead to chronic inflammation. NOX-1 and -2 were highly expressed in aseptically loosened interface membranes and in macrophages stimulated with Ti particles; the particles induced a moderate amount of ROS generation, NF-κB activation, and TNF-α secretion in macrophages, and these effects were suppressed by apocynin.

CONCLUSION: Wear particles induce ROS generation through the NOX signaling pathway, resulting in persistent inflammation and delayed loosening. Thus, the suppression of NOX activity may be a useful strategy for preventing prosthesis loosening.