Immunohistological identification of interleukin-1 activated chondrocytes

Abstract

Interleukin-I activated chondrocytes have been identified in pig articular cartilage by inmmunolocalisation using a polyclonal antiserum recognising cytokine induced surface epitopes. Although chondrocytes with membrane staining were noted in all zones of the cartilage, only a proportion of the cells were positive within the range of antiserum dilution used (1:100-1:2000). Maximum staining was found after fours days' treatment of cultured cartilage with pig IL-lα, though weak staining was just detectable after treatment for one day at high antiserum concentration. Immunoreactivity was also shown in cartilage which had been cultured with human recombinant IL-lα.