scholarly journals HISTOLOGICAL MARKERS OF DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION OF THE HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISK

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47
Author(s):  
MANUELA PELETTI-FIGUEIRÓ ◽  
ISRAEL SILVEIRA DE AGUIAR ◽  
SUELEN PAESI ◽  
DENISE CANTARELLI MACHADO ◽  
SERGIO ECHEVERRIGARAY ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To define histological scores for intervertebral disc degeneration that would enable the definition of morphological characteristics of disease, besides improving knowledge of the lumbar degenerative disc disease by means of immunohistochemical markers. Methods: Hematoxylin and Eosin, Alcian/PAS, Masson Trichrome and Safranin O/FCF staining was used on the intervertebral disc degeneration sections of patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. The protein markers defined in immunohistochemistry were cell proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (p53). Results: The study data enabled the determination of Safranin O/FCF stain as the most effective one for evaluating parameters such as area, diameter, and number of chondrocyte clusters. The importance of using stains in association, such as Safranin O/FCF, Masson Trichrome, Alcian/PAS and Hematoxylin and Eosin, was also determined, as they are complementary for the histopathological verification of intervertebral disc degeneration. By expressing proteins using the immunohistochemistry technique, it was possible to consider two stages of disc degeneration: cell proliferation with chondrocyte cluster formation, and induction of apoptosis. Conclusion: This study enabled the histological and immunohistochemical characterization to be determined for lumbar degenerative disc disease, and its degrees of evolution, by determining new disc degeneration scores.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue-Lin Lin ◽  
Zhao-Yun Zheng ◽  
Qing-Shan Zhang ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
You-Zhi An

Abstract Objective To investigate the expression of miR-195 and its target gene Bcl-2 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and its effect on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis. Methods The expressions of miR-195 and Bcl-2 in NP tissues of IVDD patients were quantified by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. NP cells were divided into blank group, TNF-α group, TNF-α + miR-NC group, TNF-α + siBcl-2 group, and TNF-α + miR-195 inhibitors + siBcl-2 group. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) tested by JC-1 staining. Moreover, the function of miR-195 on IVDD in vivo was investigated using a puncture-induced IVDD rat model. Results IVDD patients had significantly increased miR-195 expression and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in NP tissues. The expression of miR-195 was negatively correlated with the expression of Bcl-2 in IVDD patients. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that Bcl-2 was a target gene of miR-195. In comparison with blank group, TNF-α group showed decreased cell proliferation and MMP, increased cell apoptosis, upregulated expression of miR-195, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3, and downregulated Bcl-2 protein, while these changes were attenuated by miR-195 inhibitors. Additionally, siBcl-2 can reverse the protective effect of miR-195 inhibitors on TNF-α-induced NP cells. Besides, inhibition of miR-195 alleviated IVDD degeneration and NP cell apoptosis in the rat model. Conclusion MiR-195 was significantly upregulated in NP tissues of IVDD patients, and inhibition of miR-195 could protect human NP cells from TNF-α-induced apoptosis via upregulation of Bcl-2.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Xiao ◽  
Dongping Gong ◽  
Loufeng Liang ◽  
Anwei Liang ◽  
Huaxin Liang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major cause of lower back pain. This study aimed at exploring the effects of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and its upstream and downstream signaling molecules on IDD development. Methods A murine IDD model was established by inducing a needle puncture injury to the vertebrate, whereupon we isolated and transfected of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Disc height index (DHI) of the mice was determined by X-ray tomography, while the pain experienced by the IDD mice was evaluated by mechanical and thermal sensitivity tests. Next, the interaction between GSK3β and HDAC4 as well as that between HDAC4 and KLF5 acetylation was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation, while the promoter region binding was assessed identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation. By staining methods with TUNEL, Safranin O fast green, and hematoxylin and eosin, the NP cell apoptosis, degradation of extracellular matrix, and morphology of intervertebral disc tissues were measured. Furthermore, mRNA and protein expressions of GSK3β, HDAC4, KLF5, and ASK1, as well as the extent of HDAC4 phosphorylation, were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Results GSK3β was identified to be downregulated in the intervertebral disc tissues obtained from IDD mice, while HDAC4, KLF5, and ASK1 were upregulated. HDAC4 silencing alleviated IDD symptoms. It was also found that GSK3β promoted the phosphorylation of HDAC4 to increase its degradation, while HDAC4 promoted ASK1 expression through upregulating the expression of KLF5. In IDD mice, GSK3β overexpression resulted in increased DHI, inhibition of NP cell apoptosis, alleviation of disc degeneration, and promoted mechanical and thermal pain thresholds. However, HDAC4 overexpression reversed these effects by promoting ASK1 expression. Conclusion Based on the key findings of the current study, we conclude that GSK3β can promote degradation of HDAC4, which lead to an overall downregulation of the downstream KLF5/ASK1 axis, thereby alleviating the development of IDD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Hanaei ◽  
Sina Abdollahzade ◽  
Alireza Khoshnevisan ◽  
Christopher K. Kepler ◽  
Nima Rezaei

AbstractIntervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is one of the common causes of low back pain. Similar to many other multifactorial diseases, it is affected by environmental and genetic factors. Although not completely understood, genetic factors include a wide spectrum of variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, which could play a significant role in the etiology of this disease. Besides, the interactions with environmental factors could make the role of genetic factors more complicated. Genetic variations in disc components could participate in developing degenerative disc disease through altering the normal homeostasis of discs. Gene polymorphisms in disc proteins (collagens I, II, III, IX, and XI), proteoglycans (aggrecan), cytokines (interleukins I, VI, and X), enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases II, III, and IX), and vitamin D receptor seem to play considerable roles in the pathology of this disease. There are also many other investigated genes that could somehow take part in the process. However, it seems that more studies are needed to clarify the exact role of genetics in IVDD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Long ◽  
Xiaobo Wang ◽  
Xianfa Du ◽  
Hehai Pan ◽  
Jianru Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD)-related disorders are the major causes of low back pain. A previous study suggested that Notch activation serves as a protective mechanism and is a part of the compensatory response that maintains the necessary resident nucleus pulposus (NP) cell proliferation to replace lost or non-functional cells. However, the exact mechanism remains to be determined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of JAG2/Notch2 in NP cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods Recombinant JAG2 or Notch2, Hes1, and Hey2 siRNAs were used to activate or inhibit Notch signaling. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulatory factors, and pathways associated with Notch-mediated proliferation were examined. In vivo experiments involving an intradiscal injection of Sprague-Dawley rats were performed. Results Recombinant JAG2 induced Notch2 and Hes1/Hey2 expression together with NP cell proliferation. Downregulation of Notch2/Hes1/Hey2 induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in NP cells. Moreover, Notch2 mediated NP cell proliferation by regulating cyclin D1 and by activating PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, Notch signaling inhibited TNF-α-promoted NP cell apoptosis by suppressing the formation of the RIP1-FADD-caspase-8 complex. Finally, we found that intradiscal injection of JAG2 alleviated IVDD and that sh-Notch2 aggravated IVDD in a rat model. These results indicated that JAG2/Notch2 inhibited IVDD by modulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix. The JAG2/Notch2 axis regulated NP cell proliferation via PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inhibited TNF-α-induced apoptosis by suppressing the formation of the RIP1-FADD-caspase-8 complex. Conclusions The current and previous results shed light on the therapeutic implications of targeting the JAG2/Notch2 axis to inhibit or reverse IVDD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. s-0036-1582832-s-0036-1582832
Author(s):  
Suat Canbay ◽  
Yaprak Ataker ◽  
Nazan Canbolat ◽  
Zeynep Unal Kabaoglu ◽  
Tunc Oktenoglu ◽  
...  

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