Objective: To investigate the production of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) by human articular chondrocytes and cartilage.
Methods: Chondrocytes and cartilage were cultured with and without added cytokines, and the conditioned media assayed for LIF by a specific radioreceptor competition assay.
Results: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) stimulated LIF production by chondrocyte monolayers and cartilage. LIF was generally not detected in unstimulated cultures. Northern blot analysis showed increased amounts of LIF messenger RNA in IL-1- and TNF alpha-treated chondrocyte cultures.
Conclusion: Chondrocytes, stimulated by IL-1 and/or TNF alpha, are potential contributors to the elevated levels of LIF observed in the synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritides.