Production of interleukin-1 beta by periodic acid-oxidized human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) production by periodic acid (H5IO6)-oxidized human peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMN) cells was assessed by the thymocyte co-mitogenesis assay. Maximum IL-1 levels (approximately 1.2 U/ml) in the conditioned media of PBMN cells were registered within the first 24 hrs post-oxidation, whereas no IL-1 was detected in the media from 24 hrs control cultures. Thymocyte proliferation, driven by periodic acid-induced IL-1, was abolished by an antibody to IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. Quantitative analysis of IL-1-containing medium by radioimmunoassay (RIA) indicated that IL-1 beta comprised about 80% of total IL-1. Partial characterization of H5IO6-induced IL-1 beta indicated that it was identical to IL-1 produced by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages. It is concluded that oxidation of human PBMN cells by H5IO6 triggers synthesis and release of IL-1, most of which was in its IL-1 beta form.