A role of interleukin 1 (IL-1) in crystal induced arthritis

Abstract

We investigated interleukin 1 (IL-1) production from various cells stimulated with monosodium urate (MSU) to clarify the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis. Potent IL-1 activity was detected in culture supernatants from peripheral blood monocyte stimulated with MSU crystals but not those treated with hydroxyapatite or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate. MSU crystals (over 4μg/ml)strongly induced IL-1production from synovial cells of a gouty patient. Cloned synovial cells (fibroblast-like cells and macrophage-like cells) produced a significant amount of IL-1 in response to MSU. In contrast, dendritic cells responded only to hydroxyapatite.