Increased IL-1β expression and myofibroblast recruitment in subacromial bursa is associated with rotator cuff lesions with shoulder stiffness

We evaluated whether proinflammatory cytokine expression and myofibroblast recruitment in subacromial bursa was linked to rotator cuff lesions with shoulder stiffness. We analyzed expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in subacromial bursa and joint fluid collected from 14 patients with cuff tears with stiffness as a study group (Group I) and 14 patients with rotator cuff tears without shoulder stiffness as a control group (Group II) using real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA. Myofibroblast apoptosis in subacromial bursa was analyzed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase -mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and α-smooth muscle actin immunofluorescence staining. Shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant score. Group I had higher mRNA expression (p < 0.001) and immunoreactivities (p < 0.001) of IL-lβ. They also had higher levels of IL-lβ, IL-6, and TNF-α in joint fluid. Increased IL-lβ mRNA expression in the subacromial bursa and IL-lβ levels in joint fluid were correlated with a preoperative deficit in shoulder motion (p< 0.001) and preoperative Constant scores (p< 0.001). Immunofluorescence observations showed that Group I subjects had more myofibroblasts (p<0.001) than Group II. In Group II, a significant correlation was found between apoptotic myofibroblasts and total myofibroblasts (p =0.002), but not in Group I (p = 0.510). Increased expression of IL-lβ and myofibroblast recruitment in the subacromial bursa in rotator cuff lesions are linked to shoulder stiffness.