No lymphokines in T-cells around loosened hip prostheses

Research results have been contradictory about the role of lymphocytes and immune response in aseptic loosening of total hip replacement (THR). Conclusive evidence is still lacking in spite of extensive in vivo and in vitro studies. Our study was designed to check whether T-cells were activated and if they produced lymphokines in synovial membrane-like interface tissue around loosened THRs. Tissue sections were stabilized and permeabilized to allow the cytokine-specific antibodies to penetrate through the cell membrane and the membranes of intracellular organelles. This technique, combined with computer-assisted image analysis, permits the detection and quantitation of lymphokine-producing cells. We found that the number of T-cells was low, and none of the T-cells was activated, as shown by the absence of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) immunoreactivity. There was no cell producing lymphokines, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-beta). Our results suggest that T-cell-mediated immune response is not actively involved in aseptic loosening of THR.