Temporal profile of release of interleukin-1β in neurotrauma

Timing and extent of trauma-induced release of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) in extracellular fluid of the CNS were analyzed. In brain tissue perfusates obtained by in vivo microdialysis a marked release of IL-1 beta was unexpectedly detected within less than 60 min. At such an early stage of neurotrauma, mRNA expression of IL-1 beta was detected whereas immunoreactivity for the IL-1 beta protein was negative. Concentrations of extracellularly secreted IL-1 beta protein gradually increased, peaked at day 2 and decreased thereafter. Drugs acting on mononuclear phagocytes significantly modulated IL-1 beta secretion. This so far unrecognized acuity of IL-1 beta release demonstrated here, may represent a precondition for the orchestrating role of this mediator in the cascade of inflammatory host response. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. AII rights reserved.