Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2016, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (2): 179-184.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.02.005

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Expression and role of osteopontin and its receptors in ligmentum flavum cells derived from patients with ossification of ligamentum flavum

Xu Zheng, Zhou Sheng-yuan, Li Xue-bin, Liu Xiao-dong, Chen Xiong-sheng, Wang Zhi-qing   

  1. Third Department of Spinal Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
  • Received:2015-11-16 Online:2016-01-08 Published:2016-01-08
  • Contact: Chen Xiong-sheng, M.D., Chief physician, Third Department of Spinal Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
  • About author:Xu Zheng, Master, Third Department of Spinal Surgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
  • Supported by:

     the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81171753

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The exact pathogenesis of ossification of ligamentum flavum has not been elucidated yet. And osteopontin may be an important factor involved in the ossification of ligamentum flavum.
OBJECTIVE: To clarify the expression and significance of osteopontin and its receptors, CD44 and integrin-β3, in ligamentum flavum cells between normal controls and patients with ossification of ligamentum flavum.
 
METHODS: Ligamentum flavum tissues were obtained from normal adult controls and adult patients with ossification of ligamentum flavum (n=8 per group) who underwent thoracic/lumbar posterior decompression surgery. Ligmentum flavum cells were separated, cultured and identified in vitro, and osteopontin, CD44, integrin-β3 were stained using immunocytochemistry method and observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. And the mRNA expressions of osteopontin, CD44, integrin-β3 were measured by RT-PCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Immunocytochemistry results showed that the stronger positive staining for osteopontin, CD44, integrin-β3 was observed in the ossification of ligamentum flavum group than the control group (P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions of osteopontin, CD44 and integrin-β3 were also higher in the ossification of ligamentum flavum group than the control group (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that osteopontin and its receptors, CD44 and integrin-β3, in ligamentum flavum cells may play an important role in ossification of ligamentum flavum.