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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
06:22
Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
Published on: July 8, 2021
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Progranulin Is Positively Associated with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Interaction with IL-10 and IL-17
Shaoyi Wang1,2, Jianlu Wei1, Yuchen Fan2
1Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107, Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.
Inflammation
|July 12, 2018
Summary
Progranulin (PGRN) is a key factor in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). This study shows PGRN protects against IDD by regulating inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Interleukin-17 (IL-17).
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a significant cause of back pain, often linked to inflammatory processes.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) plays a critical role in IDD pathogenesis.
- Progranulin (PGRN) is a known inhibitor of TNFα-mediated inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Progranulin (PGRN) in the development and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).
- To explore the relationship between PGRN, Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the context of IDD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of PGRN expression in human and mouse intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues and serum using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, ELISA, and RT-PCR.
- Evaluation of disc degeneration in a murine model with and without PGRN.
- In vitro studies using primary human nucleus pulposus cells.
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of PGRN, IL-10, and IL-17 were observed in degenerative discs and peripheral sera.
- Loss of PGRN accelerated disc degeneration in mice, accompanied by reduced IL-10 and increased IL-17 expression.
- PGRN demonstrated a protective effect against disc degeneration in vitro by inducing IL-10 and suppressing IL-17.
Conclusions:
- Progranulin (PGRN) is implicated in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) by modulating IL-10 and IL-17.
- PGRN may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for IDD.
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