INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA-LIKE AND INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA-LIKE, INTERLEUKIN-6-LIKE AND TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITIES IN CHRONICGRANULOMATOUS SKIN CONDITIONS

Paraformaldehyde-fixed tissue of chronic granulomatous skin conditions , such as cutaneous leishmaniasis, granuloma annulare, leprosy and hid roadenitis, was investigated for the presence of interleukin-1 alpha-, interleukin-1 beta-, interleukin-6- and tumour necrosis factor-alpha- like immunoreactivities among the cellular infiltrates. There was a we ak to strong cytoplasmic labelling of plasma cells for interleukin-6 a nd tumour necrosis factor-alpha at the periphery of the granulomatous mass and around the skin appendages. The interleukin-6-like immunoreac tivity seemed to be correlated with the coarseness of the chromatin ma terial of the cells, being more intense with coarse chromatin. The cyt oplasmic labelling for interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta in t he plasma cells was less intense. Epitheloid, Langhans' giant cells an d small round cells exhibited a weak to moderate cytoplasmic labelling for interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta, whereas the staining intensity for interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha was weak to strong. In addition, there was staining of the stroma in the centre of granuloma with antisera against interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. This area conta ined few cells, suggesting that the granuloma was in a resolution proc ess. A contribution of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha to the granulomatous reaction, at least during the maintenance period, is suggested by the occurrence of these cytokines in the skin conditi ons studied. The findings are also consistent with a suggested role of B cells in the late stages of the granulomatous reaction. In addition , they are in line with the reported declining role of interleukin-1 i n the maintenance of granuloma.