LOCAL INCREASE IN HYALURONIC-ACID AND INTERLEUKIN-2 IN THE CAPSULES SURROUNDING SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS

Connective tissue disease-like illness has been associated with silico ne breast implants. However, no data are currently available on the im munopathology of the capsule surrounding the breast implants. Sera fro m women with breast implants were collected and assayed for interleuki n-6 (IL-6), IL-2, and hyaluronic acid. Capsular biopsies were stained with a probe for HYA or with monoclonal antibodies specific for human macrophages (CD68), T cells (CD4), IL-6, and IL-2. Control specimens c onsisted of breast biopsies from women undergoing reduction mammoplast y. Our results revealed an increased local amount of hyaluronic acid i n the capsule of patients with breast implants compared with control b reast tissue. The HYA was localized extracellularly in areas containin g fibrosis and cellular infiltrates. The infiltrating cells were deter mined to be primarily macrophages and T cells. No IL-6 was localized i n any of the tissue sections. In contrast, large amounts of IL-2 were found in regions of infiltrating lymphocytes. No significant increase in IL-6, IL-2, or hyaluronic acid was found in the sera. The role of h yaluronic acid and cytokines in the inflammatory response in the capsu les of silicone breast implants is discussed.