Polyethylene Particles Induce Osteolysis in Calvaria of Wild-type Andimmunodeficient Mice

Introduction: Osteolysis around orthopaedic implants, a consequence of the wear process, is a major problem for the long-term survival of the implants. We and others previously reported quantitative versions of the murine calvarial model of titanium particle induced osteolysis [1,2]. However, the most common particle type that is generated from orthopaedic implants is ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). It would therefore be useful to develop an in vivo murine model of PE particle induced osteolysis to take advantage of the wide variety of transgenic and knock out mice that are available. For example, it has been suggested that lymphocytes may mediate the macrophage response to orthopaedic wear particles in some patients [3]. However, the available animal models have not resolved the question of whether lymphocytes contribute to the biological effects of wear particles [4,5].