Cytokines and growth factors in the protruded intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine.
Nerve root irritation induced by factors produced by the intervertebral disc may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sciatic pain production. In this study we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the presence of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-6-receptor (IL-6R) and fibronectin in lumbar disc bioptic specimens from 30 patients with disc herniation (protrusion type). Chondrocytes of herniated discs stained positive for TGF-beta1, IGF-1, IL-6 and fibronectin. We demonstrated for the first time the presence of IL-6-R in the chondrocytes of herniated tissue. Specimens from autoptic healthy tissue were used as controls. In these sections no immunoreaction for TGF-beta1, IL-6, or IL-6R was found, while they expressed IGF-1 and fibronectin, but in lower quantities than herniated discs. These results demonstrated the production of factors such as TGF-beta1, IGF-1, IL-6, IL-6R and fibronectin at the site of lumbar disc herniation.
Specchia
Nicola
N
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Ancona, Largo Cappelli 1, 60100, Italy. specchia@popcsi.unian.it
Pagnotta
Alessia
A
Toesca
Amelia
A
Greco
Francesco
F
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I