Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
05:46
A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.
Published on: February 14, 2021
DR5 and DcR2 are expressed in human lumbar intervertebral discs
Bohua Chen1, Bin Ma, Shangyou Yang
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Shandong, China. bhchen@hotmail.com
Spine
|September 5, 2009
Summary
Herniated lumbar discs show increased expression of DR5 (TRAIL-R2), indicating apoptosis via the DR5/TRAIL pathway in degenerative disc disease. DcR2 (TRAIL-R4) levels remained unchanged.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Cell biology
- Molecular pathology
Background:
- The pathogenesis of lumbar disc herniation and degeneration is not fully understood.
- Apoptosis is implicated in intervertebral disc degeneration, with TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) as a key inducer.
- Previous studies reported DR4 expression in IVD, but the role of DR5 and DcR2 in IVD apoptosis remained unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of DR5 (TRAIL-R2) and DcR2 (TRAIL-R4) proteins and mRNA in human herniated and normal lumbar intervertebral discs (IVD).
- To elucidate the role of DR5 and DcR2 in the apoptosis of degenerative lumbar disc cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunostaining was used to assess DR5 and DcR2 protein expression and distribution in 60 herniated and 22 normal lumbar IVD samples.
- Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was employed to measure DR5 and DcR2 mRNA levels in 30 herniated and 9 normal lumbar IVD samples.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher percentage of herniated IVD samples exhibited DR5 protein expression (41.60%) compared to normal IVD samples (26.09%) (P = 0.001).
- DR5 mRNA levels were also significantly different between herniated and normal IVD groups (P = 0.025).
- No significant differences in DcR2 protein or mRNA levels were observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that herniated disc cells undergo apoptotic cell death through the DR5/TRAIL pathway.
- DR5 plays a significant role in the apoptosis associated with lumbar disc herniation.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction
Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
01:23Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
01:29Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...