Gene expression of interleukin-1 alpha in degenerative cervical discs and its significance

Objective To investigate the gene expression of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) in degenerative cervical intervertebral discs and its significance. Methods The specimens of the cervical intervertebral discs were harvested from 12 patients with cervical disc herniation (CDH) and 16 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in surgical operations, and categorized according to the MRI disc degeneration classification. The specimens of 8 normal cervical intervertebral discs from fresh corpses were harvested as control group. The expression of IL-1α mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) and the difference and change characteristics of IL-1α mRNA expression were compared among groups and each grades. Results The expression of IL-1α mRNA was obviously stronger in CDH and CSM groups than in the control group and stronger in discs of grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ than gradesⅠ and Ⅱ. Conclusion The gene expression of IL-1α was strengthened in degenerative cervical intevertebral discs and the more serious the degeneration, the stronger the gene expression. IL-1α may play an important role in the degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs.