Molecular mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration: present and future

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.02.018

Abstract

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration is one of the ancient and common clinical diseases. Its
complex pathogenesis affected by various factors, such as environment and genes, is still in debate. Because of the technical limitations, there is still no deep understanding on the molecular mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration. However, its molecular mechanism in recent years has made considerable development.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize and discuss the molecular mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration, thereby providing the basis for the effective treatment.
METHODS: CNKI and Medline databases were retrieved by the first author using computer to search relevant articles published from 2005 to 2015. The key words were “intervertebral disc degeneration, molecular mechanism, environmental factors, genes, matrix, degradation enzyme，inflammatory factor, biological environment, treatment” in Chinese and English, respectively. Mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration, involving genes, cell senescence and apoptosis, degradation enzyme and substrate, inflammatory cytokines, were summarized to explore the pathogenesis and possible effective treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totally 153 articles were initially retrieved and finally 52 articles were included in result analysis according to inclusive and exclusive criteria. Unique structure and biochemical properties of the intervertebral disc are easy to cause intervertebral disc degeneration. Traditionally, environmental factors, such as occupation and smoking, are considered as the main factors inducing intervertebral disc degeneration; however, more and more studies have shown that genes have the most important influence on intervertebral disc degeneration. Declined extracellular matrix, increased degradation enzymes, and overexpression of inflammatory factors can all destroy the entire structure of intervertebral disc, and accelerate the process of intervertebral disc degeneration. Effective treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration can be formulated depending on the deep understanding on its molecular mechanisms. Although there is a further understanding on the molecular medium of intervertebral disc degeneration, the complex biochemical environment within the intervertebral disc is still a great challenge to the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
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

Zhang Bin, Shi Jian-gang, Shi Guo-dong, Liu Yang, Zheng Bing, Kong Qing-jie, Wang Hai-bo, Sun Jing-chuan, Wang Yuan. Molecular mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration: present and future[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2016, 20(2): 254-260.

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