Spontaneous secretion of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) by cells isolated from herniated lumbar discal tissue after discectomy.

In the study presented, cells of a herniated lumbar disc were cultivated in vitro and analysed for interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) production. The objective of this study was the detection of IL-1beta 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 study, a 51-year-old male with massive sequestrated lumbar disc herniation at L5/S1 was treated by microsurgical discectomy. Discal cells were isolated, cultures and culture supernatants immunochemically analysed for IL-1beta and IL-1Ra secretion. Spontaneous secretion of IL-1Ra was found. IL-1beta was not detected. Our findings might contradict recent studies on the role of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra. A possible therapeutic role of exogenous IL-1Ra in disc degeneration needs further research.