The effects of human recombinant lnterleukln-1alpha; (IL-1alpha;) on proteoglycan (PG) metabolism of rabbit intervertebral disc were Investigated morphologically and biochemically using rabbit annulus fibrosus (AF) cells In culture. AF cells could maintain their differentiated phenotype well In our primary culturlng condition. In this situation, IL-1alpha; stimulated the cells and Induced marked Increase of PG release. Dose dependency of IL-1alpha; on PG release was seen in the concentration range between 5-50 Usol;ml. Caselnolytic activity produced and secreted Into the medium by AF cells was assayed and It was found that IL-1alpha; enhanced the enzyme activities In the medium. The effects of IL-1alpha; on PG and DNA synthesis were also studied. Slight depression was observed in PG synthesis but there was no effect on DNA synthesis. These data suggest that IL-1alpha; may play an Important role in PG metabolism of intervertebral disc cells, especially in the catabollc pathway of PG.
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