In vitro methods to evaluate metal-cell interactions.

The aim of this study was to test different metals, widely employed in constructing prosthetic devices, by in vitro methods. Biological effects of such materials were analyzed through four different assays on human lymphocytes and granulocytes. The lymphocyte proliferation assay gave quantitative results, while the viability test showed the morphological appearance of the cells correlated well with previous results. NK cytotoxicity and granulocyte chemokinesis tests provided interesting data on leucocyte performance when challenged with metals. Therefore the present study adds new basic information on cell behaviour when metal products are present in the body, e.g. around devices implanted in human tissues.