Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2018, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (20): 3256-3262.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.0742

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Notch signaling pathway and the nucleus pulposus cells in degenerative intervertebral disc: roles in the repair and reconstruction

Zhong Yuan-ming1, Liang Zi-yang2, He Jia2, Xu Wei2, Mo Ri-yang2   

  1. 1the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; 2Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2017-12-25 Online:2018-07-18 Published:2018-07-18
  • About author:Zhong Yuan-ming, Master, Chief physician, Professor, Master’s supervisor, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530023, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:

    the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, No. 2014GXNSFAA118210

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The Notch signaling pathway regulating bone metabolism and development is well studied. Similarly, the proliferation and differentiation of intervertebral disc cells are closely related to the Notch signaling pathway, and the signaling pathway may sustain the proliferation and differentiation of nucleus pulposus cells in degenerative intervertebral disc. However, the regulatory role and potential effects of Notch signaling pathway in intervertebral disc degeneration remain controversial.
OBJECTIVE: To review the research advances in the mechanisms underlying Notch signaling pathway acting on the nucleus pulposus cells in degenerative intervertebral disc.
METHODS: A computer-based research of PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, WanFang databases was conducted for the literature addressing the effect of Notch signaling pathway on the nucleus pulposus cells in degenerative intervertebral disc. The keywords were “Notch signaling pathway, intervertebral disc degeneration, nucleus pulposus cells, stem and progenitor cells” in English and Chinese, respectively. A literature analysis was then performed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The regulatory mechanisms of Notch signaling pathway in cells are complicated. Inhibition of Notch signaling pathway can inhibit the proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells in intervertebral disc, which may be associated with the reduced content of progenitor cells. Hypoxia activates the Notch signaling pathway in nucleus pulposus cells of the degenerative intervertebral disc, which is a major way to control the proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines induce Notch signaling in nucleus pulposus cells dependent on the possible interaction between the Notch signaling and MAPK, NF-κB signaling pathways. The mechanisms of the repair and regulatory roles of Notch signaling pathway in the nucleus pulposus cells of degenerative intervertebral disc need to be explored further.

中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点:组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松组织工程

Key words: Signal Transduction, Intervertebral Disck Degeneration, Tissue Engineering

CLC Number: