Expression of CD11c in periprosthetic tissues from failed total hip arthroplasties

In this work, we characterize integrin CD11c (αXß2) expression in periprosthetic tissues of 45 hip revisions. Tissues were retrieved from 23 ceramic-on-ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), 20 metal-on-UHMWPE, and 2 metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties (THAs). Capsular tissue retrieved during primary THA from 19 patients served as controls. We identified a system to identify important immunohistochemical markers that are expressed in aseptic loosening. We focused on CD11c, CD68 and CD14. We observed that the CD11c molecule possesses four different cellular patterns in the periprosthetic tissues. Three of them are associated with the occurrence of UHMWPE abrasive material. Double staining with CD14 and CD68 was used for a more detailed analysis of the CD11c expressing cells. We observed that all forms of CD11c positive cells are CD68 positive however, only two forms of CD11c expressing cells are positive for CD14. Providing cellular diversity of CD11c expression in periprosthetic tissue, our results provide a contribution toward the further understanding of different cellular mechanisms to foreign body material.