Immunoglobulin G coating on crystals and ceramics enhances polymorphonuclear cell superoxide production: correlation with immunoglobulin G adsorbed.

Crystals and a group of ceramics used in joint replacement surgery were incubated with polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) with and without adsorbed immunoglobulin G (IgG). All 11 particles tested had the capacity to induce the production of superoxide anion (O2-) to at least some extent. Synthetic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals (CPPD) and several ceramics adsorbed small amounts of IgG and the increment of superoxide production was also small. Both the augmentation of O2- and the adsorption of IgG to hydroxyapatite type I synthetic crystals and the remaining ceramics were intermediate. Synthetic monosodium urate crystals adsorbed the most IgG and the O2- increments were large. The increase in superoxide production correlated with the amount of IgG bound onto crystals or ceramics. The greater protein binding and phlogistic potential of some ceramics needs to be taken into consideration in their clinical use.