Interleukin 1 causing bone destruction in middle ear cholesteatoma

We previously reported the localization of interleukin 1 in the epithelial layer of human cholesteatomas. On the basis of other studies that showed interleukin 1 can stimulate fibroblasts and macrophages to produce collagenases and prostaglandins, we then proposed that interleukin 1 may play an important role in cholesteatoma‐related bone resorption, also. Our immunocytochemical study involving more human cholesteatoma samples revealed the presence of interleukin 1 in bone cells and monocytes in the region of active bone destruction. In the present study, the effect of interleukin 1 on these cells found at the bone resorption site was examined. By radioimmunoassay, interleukin 1 was shown to stimulate the production of prostaglandin E2 by osteoblasts in vitro. Interleukin 1 also promoted the migration and multinucleation of bone marrow‐derived monocytes. These osteoclast‐like cells formed from monocytes contained tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, and caused the resorption of the devitalized bone in vitro. Above findings suggest that interleukin 1 could cause the bone destruction in cholesteatomas, not only by stimulating the local bone cells, but also by recruiting monocytes for osteoclastic bone resorption.