抄録
The effect of proinflammatory cytokines on spiral ligament (SL) fibrocytes was studied in secondary cell cultures. In one experiment, pneumococcal otitis media was induced in mice, and the levels of the two proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1βand tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured in the middle ear effusion (MEE). Both cytokines were elevated 1 day after the inoculation of Streptococcus pneurnoniae into the middle ear cavity; IL -1βlevel decreased notably 3 days postinoculation. In a second experiment, cultures from murine SL fibrocytes were stimulated with IL -1β or TNF-α, at the approximate concentrations detected in the MEE, and the secretion of various mediators was measured. Levels of IL-6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 were elevated after stimulation with TNF-α and IL-1β, but the elevations were significant after stimulation with TNF-α. Because the molecular weight of TNF-α is low enough for it to permeate through the round window membrane, we speculate that TNF-α in the MEE could affect the SL fibrocytes.
