[Expression profile of intervertebral disc degeneration-specific genes: a transcriptome sequencing-based analysis].

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Molecular biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a complex condition with limited therapeutic targets.
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying IDD is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify novel therapeutic targets for IDD by analyzing gene expression profiles.
• To elucidate key genes and signaling pathways implicated in IDD progression.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on surgical samples from IDD and non-IDD patients.
• Gene enrichment analyses (GO and KEGG) were used to identify significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways.
• Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was employed to validate the expression of selected DEGs.

Main Results:

• The study identified 512 significant DEGs in IDD.
• Enrichment analysis revealed involvement of keratinization, extracellular matrix (ECM) components, growth factor binding, and inflammatory chemotaxis.
• Key pathways identified include ECM-receptor interaction, IL-17, TNF, PI3K-Akt, and chemokine signaling.
• Thirteen DEGs were validated, showing significant differential expression in IDD.

Conclusions:

• Extracellular matrix (ECM) components, growth factors, and inflammatory chemokines are critical in IDD progression.
• Signaling pathways such as TNF-α and PI3K-Akt represent promising therapeutic targets for IDD treatment.