Spontaneous production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8 by the human lumbar intervertebral disc.
METHODS
Scoliotic and herniated human intervertebral disc tissue obtained intraoperatively was cultured, and the medium was analyzed for the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine whether the human intervertebral disc is capable of spontaneous production of the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8.


BACKGROUND
Lumbar disc herniations undergo spontaneous regression with time. This is believed to occur via macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of herniated disc material. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a chemotactic agent for macrophages, has recently been identified in rat intervertebral disc tissue.


METHODS
Disc material obtained from patients undergoing surgery for scoliosis and sciatica was cultured using a serumless technique, and the medium was subsequently analyzed for levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8.


RESULTS
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and IL-8 were detected in both control and herniated disc specimens. Noncontained herniations produced higher levels of chemokines than those with an intact anulus.


CONCLUSIONS
Human intervertebral disc tissue is capable of spontaneously producing the proinflammatory chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8. These are chemotactic for macrophages and capillaries and may explain the ingrowth of granulation tissue seen in spontaneous disc herniation resorption.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Surgical Professorial Unit, Mater Misericordiae Hospital Dublin and Dublin University College, Dublin, Ireland. sean.deburca@virgin.net
John G
JG
Burke
R William G
RW
Watson
Damien
D
McCormack
Frank E
FE
Dowling
Martin G
MG
Walsh
John M
JM
Fitzpatrick
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000737:chemistry; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012585:Sciatica / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016209:Interleukin-8