INHIBITORY EFFECT OF TNF$alpha; ANTIBODIES ON SYNOVIAL CELL INTERLEUKIN-1 PRODUCTION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

The effect of tumour necrosis factor (TNFα) antibodies on synovial cell interleukin-1 (IL-1) production was investigated in 7 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in 7 with osteoarthritis. Synovial cell IL-1 production was significantly reduced by anti-TNFα antibody in cultures from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but antilymphotoxin antibody did not have this effect (except in 1 culture). In cultures from patients with osteoarthritis spontaneous IL-1 production was low, despite high concentrations of TNFα, and IL-1 production was not inhibited by anti-TNFα antibody. In rheumatoid arthritis, TNFα may be the main inducer of IL-1, and anti-TNFα agents may be useful in treatment.