The effects of diamond-like carbon coatings on macrophages, fibroblasts and osteoblast-like cells in vitro.

The elaboration of metallic and polymeric particles from the wear of joint replacement components is widely implicated in the pathogensis of aseptic loosening of these implants. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings show great potential as wear-retardant coatings and may offer a possible solution to this problem. We have studied the effects of DLC coatings on cells derived from the tissues that surround a total joint replacement (macrophages, fibroblasts and osteoblast-like cells). There was no evidence that DLC coatings, deposited on a variety of different substrates, caused cytotoxicity in vitro. Cells grown on the coated substrates exhibited normal cellular growth and morphology. DLC coatings are biocompatible in vitro and should now be tested in animal models to determine their behaviour in vivo.