Objective: To determine the relationship between the expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1ra) in the subacromial bursa and shoulder pain in rotator cuff diseases.
Methods: Synovial specimens were analysed using various methods including reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and in situ RT-PCR. Thirty-nine patients with rotator cuff diseases were candidates. The degree of their shoulder pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale.
Results: The mRNA expression levels of the cytokines were significantly correlated with the degree of pain [IL-1beta: r=0.782; secreted IL-1ra (sIL-1ra): r=0.756; intracellular IL-1ra (icIL-1ra): r=0.806, P<0.001, respectively]. The combined results of immunohistochemistry and in situ RT-PCR analysis indicated that both synovial lining and sublining cells produce IL-1beta, while synovial lining cells predominantly produce icIL-1ra and sublining cells secrete sIL-1ra.
Conclusions: The differential regulation of the two forms of IL-1ra mRNAs may play an important role in shoulder pain in rotator cuff diseases, regulating IL-1-induced subacromial synovitis.