LncRNA MIR155HG functions as a ceRNA of miR-223-3p to promote cell pyroptosis in human degenerative NP cells

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell pyroptosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD). MIR155 host gene (MIR155HG) is a long non-coding RNA with pro-inflammatory activity. However, very little is known about its role in NP cell pyroptosis. This study aimed to observe the impact of MIR155HG on cell pyroptosis and to explore the underlying mechanism in human degenerative NP cells. Our results demonstrated that MIR155HG expression was significantly increased in human degenerative NP tissue samples and showed a positive correlation with Pfirrmann score. Overexpression of MIR155HG through a lentiviral vector decreased miR-223-3p levels, up-regulated NLRP3 expression and induced cell pyroptosis in human degenerative NP cells. A ceRNA action mode was identified among MIR155HG, miR-223-3p and NLRP3. The stimulatory effect of MIR155HG on human degenerative NP cell pyroptosis was significantly reversed by pretreatment with miR-223-3p mimic or NLRP3 siRNA. In summary, these data suggest that MIR155HG sponges miR-223-3p to promote NLRP3 expression, leading to induction of cell pyroptosis in human degenerative NP cells. Targeting MIR155HG could be a novel and promising strategy to slow down the progression of IDD.

Association between cardiovascular risk factors and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine in the general population: results from the KORA MRI Study

Background Little is known about the associations between cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) and disc degeneration (DD). Purpose To evaluate the potential association between CRFs and intervertebral DD in a population-based sample. Methods A total of 400 participants from the community-based KORA-study were assessed in terms of CRFs, specifically obesity, hypertension, diabetes, elevated LDL-c, low HDL-c, elevated triglycerides, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. The patients additionally underwent whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using T2-weighted single-shot fast-spin-echo and T1 dual-echo gradient-echo Dixon pulse sequences. Thoracic and lumbar DD were assessed using the Pfirrmann score and for the presence of disc bulging/protrusion. Cross-sectional associations between CRFs and MR-based Pfirrmann score were then analyzed. Results A total of 385 individuals (58.2% men; mean age 56.3 ± 9.2 years) were included. Prevalence of DD was 76.4%. Older age (β = 0.18; 95% CI 0.12–0.25; P < 0.001) and higher body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.19; 95% CI 0.06–0.30; P = 0.003) were significantly associated with DD of the thoracolumbar spine. Diabetes was significantly associated with DD at T7/8 ( P = 0.029) and L3/4 ( P = 0.017). Hypertension correlated significantly with DD in univariate analysis, but the association did not persist using multivariate analysis (β = 0.53; 95% CI –0.74 to 1.81; P = 0.41). None of the other CRFs ( P ≥ 0.11) were associated with advanced DD. Disc bulging was independently associated with hypertension (β = 0.47; 95% CI 0.27–0.81; P = 0.01). Conclusion A significant independent association exists between age, BMI, and intervertebral DD. In contrast, there is no significant association between cardiovascular risk factors and DD. Providing strong evidence that the pathologic process undergirding DD is mechanical, rather than microvascular, in nature.

Spinal Degeneration and Degenerative Disc Disease correlation identified with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the golden standard technique for spine disc disease diagnosis. Vertebral body endplate signal intensity on MRI is confirming lumber spine degenerative disc disease.The study aimed to record the lumbar spine degenerative relation between disc and diseaseusing magnetic resonance imaging. Our prospective and double blind investigation included 142 participants,having lumbar spine degenerativedisease confirmed by MRI. Pfirrmann score was used to record the relation between lumbar spine disc degeneration and lumbar spine degenerative disease. Modic modifications with the Pfirrmann and modified Pfirrmann scores of disc degeneration were assessed.Lumbar spine MRI was done for all participants using sagittal T1 and T2 WI. Modic was scored (0-III) The Pfirrmann scored I-V for disc degeneration. Lumbar disc degeneration was evaluated by modified Pfirrmann scoring from 1-8 according to signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus and inner annulus.Modic was recorded in 41.5%, 24.6%, 32.4% and 1.4% of participants with scores 0, I, II and III, respectively. Pfirrmann score was 13.4%, 73.9% and 12.7% of disc degeneration with scores III, IV and V, respectively, while,the modified Pfirrmann score was 2.1%, 15.5%, 38.7%, 26.8% and 16.9% of disc degeneration with scores of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, respectively. The modified Pfirrmann score showed notableinconsistencyin participants with Modic 0, I and II, but no difference between Modic I and II.There was significant relation between Modicand lumbar spine disc degeneration. In conclusion, there is a relation between Modic, Pfirrmann and modified Pfirrmann scores of lumbar spine disc degeneration in participants with lumbar spine degenerative disease.

Diabetes Mellitus—A Risk Factor for the Development of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Retrospective Study of an Indian Population

Study Design: A retrospective study. Objectives: To determine the association between type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the severity of lumbar disc degeneration disease (LDDD). Methods: We included 199 patients with low back pain (LBP) who visited our hospital from 2016 to 2018. All patients were divided into 3 groups as per inclusion criteria. Group A, patients without DM (n = 75); group B, patients with controlled DM (n = 72); and group C, patients with uncontrolled DM (n = 52). The patients were further subdivided into group B1, DM duration ≤10 years (n = 38); group B2, DM duration >10 years (n = 34); group C1 DM duration ≤10 years (n = 28); and group C2, DM duration >10 years (n = 24). Sex, age, body mass index, occupation, smoking history, alcohol use, and duration of T2DM were recorded. The severity of LDDD was evaluated using the 5-level Pfirrmann grading system. Operated patients’ disc materials were sent for histological examination. Results: Demographic data showed no difference among groups ( P > 0.5), except age. Patients with DM showed more severe disc degeneration compared with patients without DM. The average Pfirrmann scores between groups A and B1 had no difference; groups B2, C1, and C2 showed higher average Pfirrmann scores than group A ( P < 0.05). Groups B2 and C2 showed higher average Pfirrmann scores than groups B1 and C1 ( P < 0.05). Groups C1 and C2 showed higher average Pfirrmann scores than groups B1 and B2 ( P < 0.05). The severity of LDDD was significantly related to DM duration in both groups B and C ( P < 0.05). DM groups showed increased disc apoptosis and matrix aggrecan fragmentation, disc glycosaminoglycan content and histological analysis were significantly different; the results are similar to Pfirrmann score results. Conclusions: DM duration >10 years and uncontrolled DM were risk factors for LDDD.

The Effect of Very High versus Very Low Sustained Loading on the Lower Back and Knees in Middle Life

To evaluate the effect of the extremes of long term high and low physical activities on musculoskeletal heath in middle age, a historical cohort study was performed. The MRI knee and back findings of 25 randomly selected subjects who were inducted into the armed forces in 1983 and served at least 3 years as elite infantry soldiers were compared 25 years later, with 20 randomly selected subjects who were deferred from army service for full time religious studies at the same time. Both cohorts were from the same common genome. The two primary outcome measures were degenerative lumbar disc disease evaluated by the Pfirrmann score and degenerative knee changes evaluated by the WORMS score. At the 25-year follow up, the mean Pfirrmann score (8.6) for the L1 to S1 level of the elite infantry group was significantly higher than that of the sedentary group (6.7), (P=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference between the WORMS knee scores between the two cohorts (P=0.7). In spite of the much greater musculoskeletal loading history of the elite infantry cohort, only their lumbar spines but not their knees showed increased degenerative changes at middle age by MRI criteria.