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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.
Published on: February 14, 2021
Interleukin-1 inhibits Sox9 and collagen type II expression via nuclear factor-kappaB in the cultured human
Zhan-ge Yu1, Ning Xu, Wen-bo Wang
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
Background:
The most significant biological change in intervertebral disc degeneration is the decrease of chondrocyte specific gene and protein expression of Sox9 and collagen type II. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is not expressed in the normal intervertebral disc tissue but increases in the degenerated intervertebral disc tissue. This suggests that IL-1 may play a role in regulation of the expression of Sox9 and collagen type II.
Methods:
Human intervertebral disc cells were isolated and cultured. Sox9 and collagen type II expression during treatment with IL-1, with or without the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity inhibitor curcumin, were detected by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, and the activity of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway was detected by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).
Results:
IL-1 lowered the mRNA level and protein expression of Sox9 and collagen type II in the cultured intervertebral disc cells in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05), and this effect was attenuated by curcumin. Curcumin alone had no effect on Sox9 and collagen type II expression (P > 0.05). IL-1 at concentrations of 0.1 ng/ml, 1 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml could stimulate the activity of NF-kappaB in the intervertebral disc cells in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05) that was inhibited by curcumin.
Conclusions:
We demonstrated the previously unknown function of IL-1 in inhibiting Sox9 and collagen type II via NF-kappaB in the intervertebral disc cells. This inhibition can be attenuated by curcumin, which is an effective NF-kappaB activity inhibitor.
Insights
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) reduces key proteins Sox9 and collagen type II in disc degeneration by activating NF-kappaB. Curcumin, an NF-kappaB inhibitor, can block this effect, offering potential therapeutic avenues.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Intervertebral disc degeneration is marked by reduced Sox9 and collagen type II expression.
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is elevated in degenerated discs, suggesting a regulatory role.
- IL-1's impact on Sox9 and collagen type II in disc cells is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IL-1 in regulating Sox9 and collagen type II expression in intervertebral disc cells.
- To explore the involvement of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway in IL-1's effects.
- To assess the potential of curcumin as an inhibitor of IL-1-induced changes.
Main Methods:
- Human intervertebral disc cells were cultured and treated with IL-1, with or without curcumin.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to measure Sox9 and collagen type II expression.
- Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was employed to detect NF-kappaB activity.
Main Results:
- IL-1 dose-dependently decreased mRNA and protein levels of Sox9 and collagen type II (P < 0.05).
- Curcumin attenuated IL-1's inhibitory effects on Sox9 and collagen type II expression.
- IL-1 stimulated NF-kappaB activity dose-dependently (P < 0.05), an effect inhibited by curcumin.
Conclusions:
- IL-1 inhibits Sox9 and collagen type II expression in intervertebral disc cells through NF-kappaB activation.
- Curcumin effectively inhibits NF-kappaB activity and can mitigate IL-1's suppressive effects.
- These findings highlight a novel mechanism in disc degeneration and suggest curcumin as a potential therapeutic agent.
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