The role of lncRNA MALAT1 in intervertebral degenerative disc disease

Intervertebral degenerative disc disease (IDDD) is a common disease in clinic that causes pain and heavy financial burden on patients with poor prognosis. However, the pathogenesis of IDDD is not clear. Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) is involved in regulating various body growth and pathological processes by affecting cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the role of lncRNAs in IDDD is rarely reported. This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of lncRNA MALAT1 in the development of IDDD. The nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc were collected and the primary nucleus pulposus cells were isolated and cultured. The cells were divided into three groups, including IDDD group, empty plasmid group transfected by pcDNA3.1, or MALAT1 group transfected by pcDNA3.1-MALAT1. MALAT1 expression was detected by real-time PCR. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. Caspase 3 activity was tested by the activity detection kit. IL-1 and IL-6 levels were analyzed by ELISA. The expression of MALAT1 in IDDD nucleus pulposus cells was significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). The expression of MALAT1 was significantly increased after transfection with pcDNA3.1-MALAT1 plasmid in IDDD nucleus pulposus cells, which obviously inhibited cell proliferation, enhanced Caspase 3 activity, and promoted the secretion of IL-1 and IL-6 compared with IDDD group (P < 0.05). MALAT1 level decreased in IDDD nucleus pulposus cells. Upregulation of MALAT1 expression restrained IDDD through suppressing inflammation; inhibiting nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis, and promoting cell proliferation.