Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (15): 3971-3982.doi: 10.12307/2026.668

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Mechanism and therapeutic potential of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 in regulating non-infectious spinal diseases

Huang Lei1, Wang Xianghong2, Zhang Xianxu1, Li Shicheng1, Luo Zhiqiang1    

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China; 2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Jiuquan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiuquan 735000, Gansu Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-06-30 Online:2026-05-28 Published:2025-11-10
  • Contact: Luo Zhiqiang, PhD, Chief physician, Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China
  • About author:Huang Lei, MS, Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, China Wang Xianghong, Chief physician, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Jiuquan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiuquan 735000, Gansu Province, China Huang Lei and Wang Xianghong contributed equally to this article.
  • Supported by:
    Cuiying Science and Technology Innovation Program of Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. CY2021-MS-A03 (to LZQ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 is a key anti-oxidative stress transcription factor that regulates the expression of multiple antioxidant genes and protects cells from oxidative damage. Under normal physiological conditions, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 activity is maintained at low levels by ubiquitination degradation mediated by Kelch-like ECH-related protein 1. During oxidative stress, Kelch-like ECH-related protein 1 changes conformation, releases nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 to the nucleus, and activates antioxidant genes. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 is closely related to non-infectious spinal diseases such as intervertebral disc degeneration, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis, and ankylosing spondylitis, and may play an important regulatory role in them.
OBJECTIVE: To review the mechanism of action of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and its Kelch-like ECH-related protein 1-nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element signaling pathway in non-infectious spinal diseases, and to explore potential therapeutic strategies to improve these diseases by regulating the activity of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 pathway, so as to provide new directions for clinical drug treatment. 
METHODS: Using the Chinese search terms “intervertebral disc degeneration, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, ankylosing spondylitis, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2” and the English search terms “intervertebral disc degeneration, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, ankylosing spondylitis, Nrf2,” all research articles published from the establishment of the database to January 2025 were searched in the CNKI and PubMed databases. According to the inclusion criteria, 109 core related articles were finally included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 significantly delays the process of intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting cell death modes such as ferroptosis, apoptosis and autophagy. (2) Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response in spinal cord injury, protect nerve cells, and promote functional recovery. (3) Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 plays a bidirectional regulatory role in osteoporosis. In osteoclasts, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 inhibits their differentiation and bone resorption, slowing down bone loss. In osteoblasts, moderate activation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 can promote the expression of bone formation-related genes and support bone formation, but excessive activation may inhibit osteoblast differentiation. (4) Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 activates antioxidant defense mechanisms in ankylosing spondylitis, reducing tissue damage and inflammatory response.

Key words: Keap1/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, iron metabolism, autophagy, review

CLC Number: