INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA (IL-1-BETA) RELEASE FROM FRESH AND CULTURED COLONIC MUCOSA IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE-COLITIS (UC)

Interleukin-1, a cytokine produced by macrophages and other tissue cells, has a major role in inflammatory and immunological responses. Increased levels of IL-1 activity have been reported in experimental colitis and in patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IL-1-beta release from fresh and cultured colonic biopsies and IL-1-beta plasma concentrations was determined in 15 patients with active UC, 16 with UC in remission and 10 normal control subjects. Biopsies, taken at colonoscopy were weighed, washed in 1 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution and then cultured for 24 h in 10% fetal calf serum/RPMI. IL-1-beta activity was determined by ELISA KIT (Cystron Biotechnology) in plasma samples, washing solution and the incubation medium. Very low levels of IL-1-beta were detected only in 3 plasma samples, all from active patients. Significantly more IL-1-beta was released from fresh and cultured colonic mucosa obtained from patients with UC in remission compared to normal mucosa (p < 0.01). Furthermore, specimens from active UC released significantly more IL-1-beta than those from patients in remission (p < 0.01). In conclusion, IL-1 may play an important role in mediating the inflammatory response in UC.