In vivo inhibition of localized bone resorption by human recombinant interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist

Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) has been implicated as a primary mediator of bone remodeling; it is a powerful activator of bone resorption both in vivo and in vitro. However, there is no direct evidence that IL‐1 plays a role in physiological bone modeling or remodeling. Interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) is a member of the IL‐1 family, which bind to IL‐1 receptors and blocks the action of IL‐1α and IL‐1β. We have previously shown that IL‐1ra blocks IL‐1—induced bone resorption in vitro. Evidence is reported here that human recombinant IL‐1ra (hrIL‐1ra) inhibits strain‐induced modeling in the gerbil auditory bulla while having no significant effect on apposition rate. Pressurization of the auditory bulla to 10 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure increased osteoclast surface from 3.62 to 19.14%. Infusion of hrIL‐1ra during pressurization resulted in significant inhibition of osteoclast surface on the pressurized side. These findings suggest that IL‐1 is a physiological mediator of bone modeling and that hrIL‐1ra inhibits resorption but not apposition in the auditory bulla model.