Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (29): 7612-7618.doi: 10.12307/2026.296

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Interaction between vascular-lymphatic system imbalance and immune microenvironment in intervertebral disc degeneration

Du Yaxin1, Zhao Xiaojuan2, Wu Ruixia1, Dong Yizhi1, Song Xinyue1, Fu Hongyang1, She Yitong1, Zhang Jialin1, Zhu Yong3   

  1. 1Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010107, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China;2The Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010030, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 3Peking University Cancer Hospital, Inner Mongolia Hospital (Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University), Hohhot 010000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China 
  • Received:2025-09-25 Revised:2025-12-19 Online:2026-10-18 Published:2026-03-04
  • Contact: Zhu Yong, MD, PhD, Chief physician, Professor, Peking University Cancer Hospital, Inner Mongolia Hospital (Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University), Hohhot 010000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Du Yaxin, MS candidate, Rehabilitation therapist, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010107, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82060404 (to ZY); Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Higher Education Innovation Team Project, No. NMGIRT2229 (to ZY); Central Government Guiding Local Science and Technology Development Fund Project, No. 2022ZY0181 (to ZY); Intervertebral Disc Degeneration University Innovation Team Project, No. YKD2023TD005 (to ZY) 

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The pathological process of intervertebral disc degeneration is accompanied by angiogenesis-lymphatic imbalance and changes in the immune microenvironment, both of which play important roles in intervertebral disc degeneration.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically summarize the roles of angiogenesis-lymphatic imbalance-related cytokines in intervertebral disc degeneration.
METHODS: The first author searched relevant literature published between January 2000 and April 2025 in the PubMed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. The Chinese search terms included "intervertebral disc degeneration, vascular-lymphatic imbalance, angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), lymphatic vessel, Prox-1, immune microenvironment." A total of 65 articles were ultimately included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: During intervertebral disc degeneration, the vascular-lymphatic system and immune microenvironment play crucial roles in maintaining disc homeostasis. When disc degeneration occurs, angiogenesis and lymphatic disruption lead to an increase in inflammatory factors within the disc, resulting in enhanced degradation of the extracellular matrix. Simultaneously, changes in the immune microenvironment are observed, primarily characterized by increased immune cell infiltration, elevated levels of pro-inflammatory factors and chemokines, and activation of local immune responses. These alterations further regulate blood and lymphatic vessels, ultimately reducing the discs repair capacity and triggering chronic pain, thereby exacerbating the progression of disc degeneration.


Key words: intervertebral disc degeneration, angiogenesis, immune microenvironment, vascular endothelial growth factor, lymphatic dysfunction, review

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