Expression of human beta-defensin-3 in surrounding tissues of infected artificial prostheses

Abstract

Objective To observe expression of human beta-defensin-3 (HBD-3) in tissues around the infected artificial prostheses and investigate its value in treatment and diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).Methods According to clinical diagnosis,periprosthetic tissues and normal synovial membrane excised in operation were collected and divided into the following four groups:PJI group (n =13),aseptic loosening group (loosening group,n =9),spacer treatment group (treatment group,n =12),and normal group (n =15).HE staining was used to observe infiltration of inflammatory cells.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect positive cells number and fluorescence intensity.Image-pro plus (IPP) 7.0C software was used to measure the average value of absorbance.Preoperative peripheral white blood cell count,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),and C-reactive protein (CRP) results were documented.Then,differences of those parameters were analyzed and compared among groups.Results HE staining revealed that all groups had different degree of inflammatory cell infiltration except for normal group.Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the most number of positive cells and highest fluorescence intensity existed in PJI group.Value of absorbance in PJI group was 0.430 ± 0.013,followed by 0.308 ±0.005 in loosening group,0.234 ± 0.009 in treatment group,and 0.089 ± 0.019 in normal group.Preoperative peripheral white blood cell count,ESR and CRP were the highest in PFI group,but were not significantly different among the remaining three groups.Conclusion HBD-3 is highly expressed in tissues around the prostheses which had infection or aseptic loosening,but its expression in response to infection and loosening has difference. Key words: Infection; Joint prosthesis; Defensins; Diagnosis