Hydroxyapatite microspheres induce durable pleurodesis and are rapidly cleared by pleural osteoclasts
Authors:
- Yusuke TanakaYTYusuke Tanaka
- Yuki TakahashiYTYuki Takahashi
- Yuma ShindoYSYuma Shindo
- Lori B. PitstickLPLori B. Pitstick
- Steven L. TeitelbaumSTSteven L. Teitelbaum
- Wei ZouWZWei Zou
- Xiangning WangXWXiangning Wang
- Kathryn A. Wikenheiser-BrokampKWKathryn A. Wikenheiser-Brokamp
- Francis X. McCormackFMFrancis X. McCormack
Open Access
- 21 August 2025
- journal article
- Published by American Society for Clinical Investigation in JCI Insight
- Vol. 10 (19)
Abstract
Talc pleurodesis is highly effective for preventing recurrence of pneumothorax and pleural effusion, but it can be complicated by dissemination, acute lung injury, lead exposure, and foreign body–induced chronic inflammation and pain. Our objective is to develop a safe, biodegradable, contaminant-free particle for pleurodesis. We used mouse models of pneumothorax and malignant pleural effusion to compare the efficacy and safety of pleurodesis with talc and hydroxyapatite microspheres (HAM). Intrapleural instillation of microspheres induced pleural adhesions, fibrosis, and symphysis as effectively as talc and resulted in more durable protection from experimental pneumothorax. HAM and talc both induced an osteoclastogenic, inflammatory, and fibrotic response in pleural lavage cells. Intrapleural HAM was resorbed by osteoclast action over 3 months, whereas talc was not cleared. Deletion of the osteoclast effector, CTSK, diminished pleural adhesion formation and fibrosis by HAM, and inhibition of osteoclastogenesis with anti-RANKL antibody delayed HAM clearance. We found no difference in activity level, feeding behavior, or lung compliance between particles, but talc induced more persistent pleural inflammation. We conclude that HAM resulted in an osteoclastogenic and fibrogenic pleural response that induced pleurodesis that was more durable than talc with a superior safety profile due in part to osteoclast-mediated particle clearance.Keywords
Funding Information
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals (none)
- bess Ag/Novatech (none)
- Depart of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine (none)
This publication has 35 references indexed in Scilit:
- Respiratory failure following talc pleurodesisThe American Journal of Surgery, 1999
- Effect of Pneumothorax on Pleurodesis Induced With Talc in RabbitsChest, 1998
- Talc-induced Expression of C-C and C-X-C Chemokines and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Mesothelial CellsAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 1998
- Immunobiology of pleural inflammation: potential implications for pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapyEuropean Respiratory Journal, 1997
- Respiratory failure due to insufflated talcThe Lancet, 1997
- Pleural Mesothelial Cell Expression of C-C (Monocyte Chemotactic Peptide) and C-X-C (Interleukin 8) ChemokinesAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, 1995
- Pleurodesis Using Talc SlurryChest, 1994
- Acute Pneumonitis with Bilateral Pleural Effusion after Talc PleurodesisChest, 1984
- Comparative subgross anatomy of lungs. Pleuras, interlobular septa, and distal airways.1983
- Adult respiratory distress syndrome following intrapleural instillation of talcThe Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 1983