SPONTANEOUS SECRETION OF INTERLEUKIN-1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST (IL-1RA) BY CELLS ISOLATED FROM HERNIATED LUMBAR DISCAL TISSUE AFTER DISKECTOMY

In the study presented cells of a herniated lumbar disc were cultivate d in vitro and analysed for interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interle ukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) production. The objective of this study was the detection of IL-1 beta and IL-1Ra secreted by herniated lumbar discal cells after discectomy, The involvement of cytokines in the degeneration of intervertebral discs and in the pathophysiology of radiculopathy is established. Antagonizing proteins, e.g. IL-1Ra are thought to have considerable therapeutic potential. In the present stu dy, a 51-year-old male with massive sequestrated lumbar disc herniatio n at L5/S1 was treated by microsurgical discectomy. Discal cells were isolated, cultured and culture supernatants immunochemically analysed for IL-1 beta and IL-1Ra secretion. Spontaneous secretion of IL-1Ra wa s found. IL-1 beta was not detected. Our findings might contradict rec ent studies on the role of IL-1 beta and IL-1Ra, A possible therapeuti c role of exogenous IL-1Ra in disc degeneration needs further research . (C) 1998 Academic Press.