A controlled immunohistochemical study of inflammatory cells in disc herniation tissue.
METHODS
The presence and abundance of inflammatory cells was studied immunocytochemically in lumbar disc herniations (DH) and macroscopically normal discs for comparison.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to characterize inflammatory cells that appear in herniated disc tissue and to study the relative abundance of various types of inflammatory cells.


BACKGROUND
Only few macrophages were observed in control discs, whereas abundant macrophages were present in half of the DH. Other types of inflammatory cells were less often abundant in the present material. In about a third of the DH interleukin-1 beta-expressing cells were also observed.


METHODS
Twenty-four DH and control tissue from five discs were studied immunocytochemically, using specific monoclonal antibodies to various types of inflammatory cells and interleukin-1 beta. The results were compared with corresponding clinical data. Macrophages were studied with an antibody to CD68 antigen and Ber-MAC3 antibody separately.


RESULTS
The obtained results suggest a variable inflammatory cell response in DH, which seems to be often dominated by macrophages at the time of operation. Thus previous suggestions of sometimes very active inflammation in DH tissue are supported.


CONCLUSIONS
Inflammation may be important in disc tissue pathophysiology, possibly also in discogenic pain mechanisms.
Grönblad
M
M
Spine Research Unit, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Virri
J
J
Tolonen
J
J
Seitsalo
S
S
Kääpä
E
E
Kankare
J
J
Myllynen
P
P
Karaharju
E O
EO
D000328:Adult; D001168:Arthritis / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology
D007375:Interleukin-1