Expression and Significance of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in Herniated Lumbar Disc Tissue

Objective: To investigate the content of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the herniated lumbar disc and to clarify which cells in herniated lumbar disc produce IL-6.Methods:Twelve herniated lumbar disc and twelve nondegenerated disc were placed into tissue culture and incubated for 72 hours.The incubation supernatants were used to detect the IL-6 concentration by the method of Radio immune assay.In order to know the histological localization of cells that produce IL-6 in surgical specimens,twelve herniated lumbar disc were examined to determine IL-6 histological content using immunohistochemical method.Results:The content of IL-6 in the herniated lumbar disc were markedly higher than that in normal discs.Of 20 herniated lumbar disc,IL-6 positively expressing cells were presented in 11 specimens.The positive cells were mainly in granulation tissue around intervertebral disc materials.These staining cells were mainly chondrocytes,fibroblasts and lymphocytes.No positive expressing cells were detected in normal lumbar disc.Conclusion:Herniated lumbar disc cells can produce IL-6 in itself.IL-6 in a lumbar disc herniation is mainly produced by cells in granulation tissue around the herniated intervertebral disc materials.