The chronic inflammatory response to abrasion particles from total hip replacement (THR) is believed to cause osteolysis and to contribute to prosthetic loosening. The expression of interleukin-11(IL-11) and its major cellular sources in the interface and pseudocapsular tissues obtained from total hip revisions performed for aseptic loosening were investigated. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) and alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) methods were used for staining and VIDAS image analysis for quantification. IL-11 was found in the interface and pseudocapsular tissues in the aseptic loosening of THR. IL-11 containing cells were more numerous in the interface (760 +/- 171 cells) and pseudocapsular tissues (684 +/- 171 cells) than in the control synovial tissue (235 +/- 68 cells). Because IL-11 is an important component of cytokine network mediating osteoblast-osteoclast communication in normal and pathological bone remodeling, the current findings suggest that IL-11 may contribute to periprosthetic osteolysis and to the loosening of THR.