Infection can promotes NFκB and c-Src expression during differentiation of osteoclasts and leads to infected nonunion

Infected nonunions pose many challenges to the treating surgeon and the patient. Its researches focus on treatment, the basis studies are less. This study aims to investigate the effect of infection on nonunion and its possible mechanism. In our study, infected nonunion animal model were established, and osteoclasts were isolated and cultured successfully. The results show that the number of osteoclast cells, the degree of differentiation and maturation, the bone-resorption activities and the expression of NF kappa B and c-Src protein in infected nonunion animal model were significantly higher than those in the control model group (P < 0.05). Therefore, we concluded that infection can significantly promote the differentiation and maturation of osteoclasts, and leads to infected nonunion. Its mechanism may be related to promoting the expression of NF kappa B and c-Src protein. In brief, NF kappa B and c-Src may become a new early diagnosis mark and therapy target in infected nonunion.