The effect of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene particles on macrophage / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles on macrophages and evaluate the expression of NFAT2, a key transcriptional factor for osteoclast differentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From November 2004 to February 2005, macrophages were co-cultured with UHMWPE particles. When observed at different times, the proliferation activity of macrophages was analyzed by MTT and the expression of calcineurin (CaN) and NFAT2 by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR method respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The macrophages phagocytosed UHMWPE particles in an early time, the expression of CaN and NFAT2 was increased, while the proliferation activity was not enhanced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>UHMWPE particles can stimulate macrophages to phagocytose significantly, and enhance the expression of the transcriptional factor NFAT2.</p>