Wear‐particle–induced osteoclast osteolysis: The role of particulates and mechanical strain

Periprosthetic osteolysis involves osteoclast activation by wear particulates and their exposure to mechanical perturbation through exposure to shear forces generated by periprosthetic fluid as well as interface micromotion. This study aimed to determine the interactions between wear particulates, mechanical stimulation, and osteoclasts. In static cultures, wear particulates increased osteoclast differentiation. Addition of neutralizing antibodies to RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa ligand) inhibited the particle‐induced increase in osteoclast numbers. Cyclic 5000 microstrains were applied with the use of a custom‐built device to marrow‐derived cultures to assess the effect on osteoclast differentiation. Mechanical strain application alone decreased osteoclast differentiation, which was further decreased by the addition of particles despite increases in the soluble RANKL to osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio. Mechanical strain alone induced mature osteoclast apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. In contrast, in the mature osteoclast model, the addition of nonmetal particulates protected the osteoclasts from becoming apoptopic. Titanium (Ti) and cobalt chromium (CoCr) particles, however, induced osteoclast apoptosis, whereas polyethylene (PE) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) did not. Wear particulates and mechanical stimulation interact via an eicosanoid‐dependent pathway to alter osteoclast function and survival. The addition of mechanical perturbation to a particle‐laden system thus appears to enhance the potential for osteolytic activity by enhancing osteoclast survival. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 69B: 104–112, 2004