PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Joint replacement has revolutionized the treatment of end-stage arthritis. We highlight the key role of macrophages in the innate immune system in helping to ensure that the prosthesis-host interface remains biologically robust. RECENT FINDINGS: Osteoimmunology is of great interest to researchers investigating the fundamental biological and material aspects of joint replacement. Constant communication between cells of the monocyte/macrophage/osteoclast lineage and the mesenchymal stem cell-osteoblast lineage determines whether a durable prosthesis-implant interface is obtained, or whether implant loosening occurs. Tissue and circulating monocytes/macrophages provide local surveillance of stimuli such as the presence of byproducts of wear and can quickly polarize to pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes to re-establish tissue homeostasis. When these mechanisms fail, periprosthetic osteolysis results in progressive bone loss and painful failure of mechanical fixation. Immune modulation of the periprosthetic microenvironment is a potential intervention to facilitate long-term durability of prosthetic interfaces.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine Yamagata Japan

Department of Orthopaedics Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University University Hospital Olomouc Czech Republic

Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford CA USA

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