Induction of apoptosis and necrosis by metal ions in vitro

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 19; no. 8; pp. 84 - 87
• Main Authors: Huk, Olga L., Catelas, Isabelle, Mwale, Fackson, Antoniou, John, Zukor, David J., Petit, Alain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-12-2004
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Cells, Cultured; Chromium - pharmacology; Cobalt - pharmacology; Hip Prosthesis; Ions; macrophages; Macrophages - drug effects; Macrophages - pathology; metal-on-metal hip prosthesis; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Necrosis; metal-on-metal hip prosthesis; apoptosis; macrophages; ions; necrosis
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2004.09.011

There has been a renewed interest in the use of the metal-on-metal (MOM) implants for total hip arthroplasty (THA). It is well known, however, that the MOM articulation generates both metal particles and ions. The physiologic effects of these ions are poorly understood and their potential toxicity remains a cause for concern. In the present study, murine J774 macrophages were incubated with Co
2+ and Cr
3+ ions and the mode of cell death (apoptosis/necrosis) was evaluated
in vitro by transmission electron microscopy and cell death ELISA. Overall, results demonstrated that the mode of cell death was dependent on the ion concentration and the incubation time. Indeed, at short incubation times (24h), the noninflammatory process of apoptosis was predominant. At longer incubation times (48h), however, necrosis was predominant at higher ion concentrations.