The production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in whole blood by physico-chemical induction.
OBJECTIVE
Cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) play an important role in degenerative musculo-skeletal diseases, including osteoarthritis, and a multitude of inflammatory disorders. Agents that inhibit the action of such cytokines have a high therapeutic potential in such diseases. Here we describe a new method for enhancing the production of the interleukin-l receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and other anti-inflammatory cytokines in whole blood.


METHODS
Human venous blood was incubated in the presence of CrSO(4)-treated glass beads. Serum was recovered and the concentrations of IL-1Ra and other relevant cytokines were measured by ELISA.


RESULTS
The interaction of the glass bead surface with cells in whole blood increased production of IL-1Ra and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Removal of the beads and centrifugation generated a serum preparation enriched in anti-inflammatory cytokines. This preparation is of therapeutic value in treating various inflammatory and degenerative disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased de novo production of anti-inflammatory cytokines by a direct physico-chemical induction of whole blood in the Orthokin system is feasible and offers an alternative, novel approach to treating mild to moderate OA and other orthopaedic conditions such as degenerative spine diseases.
Meijer
H
H
ORTHOGEN Lab Services, Graf-Adolf-Strasse 43, 40210 Düsseldorf, Germany. HMeijer@orthogen.com
Reinecke
J
J
Becker
C
C
Tholen
G
G
Wehling
P
P
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003470:Culture Media; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D003470:Culture Media; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007378:Interleukins; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D003513:Cycloheximide