Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the link between cytokines in intervertebral disc (IVD)
tissues and axial back pain. DESIGN: In vitro study with human IVD cells cultured
from cadaveric donors and annulus fibrosus (AF) tissues from patients. RESULTS:
Cultured nucleus pulposus (NP) and AF cells were stimulated with interleukin
(IL)-1beta. IL-8 and IL-7 gene expression was analyzed using real-time polymerase
chain reaction. IL-8 protein was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
After IL-1beta stimulation, IL-8 gene expression increased 26,541 fold in NP
cells and 22,429 fold in AF cells, whereas protein released by the NP and AF
cells increased 2,389- and 1,784-fold, respectively. IL-7 gene expression
increased 3.3-fold in NP cells (P < 0.05).Cytokine profiles in AF tissues
collected from patients undergoing surgery for back pain (painful group) or
scoliosis (controls) were compared by cytokine array. IL-8 protein in the AF
tissues from patients with back pain was 1.81-fold of that in controls. IL-7 and
IL-10 in AF tissues from the painful group were 6.87 and 4.63 times greater than
the corresponding values in controls, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:
Inflammatory mediators found in AF tissues from patients with discogenic back
pain are likely produced by IVD cells and may play a key role in back pain.

Langue : ANGLAIS