SpringerLink - Journal Article

Basic Research

Investigating the Immunologic Effects of CoCr Nanoparticles

Bamikole Ogunwale¹, Andreas Schmidt-Ott³, R. M. Dominic Meek² and James M. Brewer⁴

(1)	Department of Clinical Radiology, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital, London, SE1 7EH, UK

(2)	Department of Orthopaedics, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK

(3)	Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands

(4)	Centre for Biophotonics, SIPBS, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 ONR, UK

Received: 20 September 2008 Accepted: 10 June 2009 Published online: 30 June 2009

Abstract The increase in metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties has led to concern regarding the effect of raised serum and tissue metal ion levels. Our aim was to determine changes in the integrity and function of cells of the immune system after exposure to CoCr nanoparticles in specific cell culture experiments. Nanometer-sized particles of CoCr were made from a manufacturer’s forged CoCr used for metal-on-metal articulations. Primary, murine dendritic cells and T and B lymphocytes then were exposed to these CoCr particles under cell culture conditions and then assayed for viability and proliferation/activation. CoCr nanoparticles did not directly activate dendritic cells or regulate B cells. Although nanoparticles were not directly toxic to resting T cells, Signals 1- and 2-dependent T cell proliferation were reduced. This may explain the observed reduction in CD8+ T cells observed in patients with metal-on-metal implants.

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the animal protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

This study was done at Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, Centre for Biophotonics, SIPBS, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK, and Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.

Bamikole Ogunwale (Corresponding author)
Email: kolekole@doctors.org.uk

R. M. Dominic Meek
Email: rmdmeek@doctors.org.uk

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