title: Emerging ideas: Interleukin-12 nanocoatings prevent open fracture-associated infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infection is a major clinical complication of orthopaedic implants and prosthetic devices, and patients with traumatic open fractures have a high risk of infection that may exceed 30%. Surgical trauma, burns, and major injuries such as traumatic open fractures induce immunosuppression, decrease resistance to infection, and decrease production of T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Exogenous interleukin-12 p70 (IL-12p70 or IL-12), a natural cytokine that plays a central role in Th1 response and bridges innate and adaptive immunities, will reduce open fracture-associated infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We propose using exogenous IL-12 nanocoating to restore or enhance the body's natural defense system to combat pathogens. Rats will have a femur fractured, inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus or injected with phosphate buffered saline, left open for 1 hour, and then fixed with an intramedullary Kirschner wire with or without IL-12 nanocoating. Animals will be euthanized at postoperative Day 21; samples of blood, soft tissue, bone, and draining lymph nodes will be collected. Infection, bone healing, and local and systemic responses will be determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-12 nanocoating is a promising prophylactic means to modulate the host immune response to help prevent open fracture-associated infections and to avoid the problem of antibiotic resistance.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials, Bioengineering & Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9196, USA. bli@hsc.wvu.edu
authors.forename: Bingyun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: McKeague
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012107:Research Design
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D018664:Interleukin-12