Binding of proteins to ultra high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles as a possible mechanism of macrophage and lymphocyte activation

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 2010-12, Vol.95A (3), p.950-955
• Main Authors: Zolotarevová, E., Hudeček, J., Špundová, M., Entlicher, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alpha rays; Binding; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Proteins - metabolism; Buffers; Hip Prosthesis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lymphocyte Activation; Macrophage Activation; macrophage triggering; Macrophages; Materials Testing; Medical sciences; Molecular weight; Particle Size; Polyethylenes; Polyethylenes - chemistry; Polyethylenes - metabolism; Prosthesis Failure; protein adsorption; Protein Binding; Proteins; Serum albumin; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgical implants; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; UHMWPE; Wear particles
• ISSN: 1549-3296; 1552-4965; 1552-4965
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.32924

Binding of five human plasma proteins (IgG, serum albumin, α1–acid glycoprotein, holo‐transferrin, α1–antitrypsin) to ultra high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles (0.1–10 μm) isolated from hip periprosthetic tissues was studied in vitro. All tested plasma proteins were bound to wear particles in a similar way indicating irreversible binding. Analogous interaction was found also between GUR 4120 particles (diameter ∼250 μm) and two tested plasma proteins (human serum albumin and α1–acid glycoprotein). The binding was not affected by pH of a buffer or the isoelectric point of bound proteins; thus it was apparently of clearly hydrophobic nature. We hypothesize that the binding causes some unfolding of the bound proteins, thus exposing new determinants with which sensitive cells may react. This could be a mechanism by which polyethylene wear particles trigger, for example, macrophages activity and thence initiate aseptic inflammation and cause the failure of total joint replacements. Results can contribute to the choice of a convenient construction type of prostheses. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.