Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (37): 6937-6941.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.37.023

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Matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression and cell apoptosis in human cervical disc degeneration

Guo Tuan-Mao1, Liu Miao2, Zhang Yin-Gang2, Zhang Xiao-Wei2, Wu Shi-Xun2   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, Xianyang Central Hospital, Xianyang  712000, Shaanxi Province, China
    2Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Xi’an Jiao Tong University, Xi’an  710061, Shaanxi Province, China
  • Received:2011-03-02 Revised:2011-04-23 Online:2011-09-10 Published:2011-09-10
  • Contact: Zhang Yin-gang, Doctor, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Xi’an Jiao Tong University, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China zyingang@mail.xjtu. edu.cn
  • About author:Guo Tuan-mao☆, Doctor, Attending physician, Department of Orthopedics, Xianyang Central Hospital, Xianyang 712000, Shaanxi Province, China gtm0619@163.com
  • Supported by:

    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.30400163*; Science and Technology Plan Program of Shaanxi Province, No.2008K14-01*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that matrix metalloproteinase 11 gene is obviously upregulated in human degenerated cervical and lumbar disc tissues.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression in human cervical intervertebral discs and cell apoptosis.
METHODS: Thirty discs from patients with cervical spondylosis diagnosed by MRI, and 20 discs of individuals with cervical spinal trauma but without anamnesis evidence for disc degeneration or previous spine-ralated operations were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that nucleus pulposus cells were signifcantly reduced  (P < 0.01), but apoptotic cells were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the degenerated nucleus pulposus tissue of cervical intervertebral discs than in the normal nucleus pulposis tissue. Immunohistochemical staining showed that matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression was significantly greater (P < 0.01) in the degenerated nucleus pulposus tissue of cervical intervertebral discs than in the normal nucleus pulposis tissue, and matrix metalloproteinase 11 expression was positively related to cell apoptosis detected by TUNEL(r=0.44, P < 0.05). Results showed that high expression of matrix metalloproteinase 11 can directly damage extracellular matrix, induce nucleus pulposis cell apoptosis, and therefore play an important role in the process of disc degeneration.

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