Interleukin-1-like activity in human cerebrospinal fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained from patients undergoing myelography, who were subsequently diagnosed as having degenerative neck or back disease with no significant CNS inflammation. Using a mitogen co-stimulation assay with mouse thymocytes, or interleukin-1 (IL1) dependent interleukin-2 (IL2) secreting tumour cell line, these CSF samples were shown to contain an IL1-like activity, with predominant activity located in molecules with size 15 kDa and 30 kDa (Sephadex size chromatography). The results are discussed in light of data implicating a role for IL1 in other physiological functions.