T-lymphocytes are not necessary for particulate polyethylene-induced macrophage recruitment: Histologic studies of the rat tibia

Abstract

Immunological processes involving T-lymphocytes have been implicated in the mechanisms of aseptic loosening of joint endoprostheses. We report the histological reaction of bone to phagocytosable particles of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in normal and T-cell deficient rats. A bolus of 3 × 10⁷ polyethylene particles averaging 4.7 urn in size, mixed in 0.1 mL of sodium hyaluronate, was injected into the right proximal tibia of 10 normal and 10 T-cell deficient (nude) Rowett rats from the same litter. The left control side was injected with sodium hyaluronate alone. The animals were killed after 6 weeks. Transverse