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Published on: March 29, 2017
Human nucleus pulposis can respond to a pro-inflammatory stimulus
J G Burke1, R W G Watson, D Conhyea
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Surgical Professorial Unit, Mater Misericordiae Hospital Dublin and University College Dublin, Ireland. sean.deburca@virgin.net
Human intervertebral disc tissue responds to pro-inflammatory stimuli by releasing mediators like IL-6 and PGE2. Degenerate discs show a stronger response than scoliotic discs, highlighting differences in disc degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Degenerate human disc tissue secretes pro-inflammatory mediators, crucial in symptomatic disc degeneration.
- Human nucleus pulposus synthesizes IL-6, PGE2, and nitric oxide in response to IL-1beta.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates murine nucleus pulposus to produce IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and GM-CSF.
Purpose of the Study:
- Confirm the human intervertebral disc's capacity to respond to pro-inflammatory stimuli.
- Identify the primary mediators involved in the disc's inflammatory response.
Main Methods:
- Human disc tissue from scoliosis, radiculopathy, and discogenic pain surgeries was cultured.
- Cultures were subjected to basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation.
- Culture media were analyzed for pro-inflammatory mediator production.
Main Results:
- No TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, GM-CSF, or LTB4 were detected.
- Significant production of IL-6, IL-8, PGE2, MCP-1, bFGF, and TGF-beta1 was observed.
- LPS significantly increased IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 in both control and degenerate discs, with degenerate tissue showing a more vigorous response.
Conclusions:
- Human nucleus pulposus responds to pro-inflammatory stimuli by increasing IL-6, IL-8, and PGE2 secretion.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was not detected in response to LPS stimulation.
- Degenerate disc tissue exhibits greater sensitivity to pro-inflammatory stimuli compared to scoliotic disc tissue.
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