The effects of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 on osseous and soft tissue wound healing

Abstract

The role of inflammatory mediators in surgical repair has not been delineated. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1~) are cytokines, which are recognized as potent stimulators of the initial inflammatory response. In our study we tested the hypothesis that stimulation by the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) are necessary for osseous and soft tissue wound healing. A calvarial osteotomy, 1mm in diameter, was created in three groups of mice: one with targeted deletions of the TNF receptors p55 and p75, one with targeted deletions of the IL-1 receptor type I, and one with wild-type (control) mice. Bone healing was assessed by quantitative histomorphometry. Because three mice died, the number of animals in the experiment was not large enough to produce viable statistical results. However, we observed reduced osseous healing between the experimental groups (TNF p55- /p75- and IL-1 -/-) and the control group at Day 14. [TRUNCATED]