“…Therefore, the association between particles and osteolysis represents a doseresponse relationship (Wilkinson et al, 2005) Interestingly, osteoblasts also can phagocyte small particles, causing potential adverse effects on viability, proliferation and function of osteoblast as well as on osteoclasts (Goodman et al, 2006;Lohmann et al, 2000). PE, PMMA or metallic particles reduce osteoblasts differentiation of bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells (Chiu et al, 2006), expression of collagens by osteoblasts (Vermes et al, 2001;Vermes et al, 2000), osteoblast viability by inducing apoptosis (Pioletti et al, 2002) characterized with decreased production of matrix, alkaline phosphatase and TGF-by these cells (Dean et al, 1999). As for macrophages, such suppressive effects are also likely dependent on particle size, composition and dosage: different particle types can differentially affect osteoblast function (Lohmann et al, 2002).…”