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Macrophage Changes and High-Throughput Sequencing in Aging Mouse Intervertebral Disks.
Wei Wang1,2, Cheng Jiang2,3, Jiong-Hui Chen2,3
1Chongqing Tongnan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Chongqing People's Republic of China.
JOR Spine
|April 9, 2025
Summary
Aging intervertebral discs show degeneration linked to senescence and macrophage changes. These factors, along with differential gene expression, are key to age-related disk degeneration and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Aging Research
- Musculoskeletal Biology
Background:
- Intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration is a significant cause of lower back pain and is associated with aging.
- Mechanisms of age-related IVD changes and macrophage polarization require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate changes in macrophages within aging mouse IVDs.
- To assess differential gene expression related to senescence.
- To explore the relationship between senescence genes, hub genes, and IVD aging.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of adult and aged C57 mice IVD tissues.
- Histological staining for collagen, proteoglycans, and senescence markers.
- Immunohistochemistry for macrophage markers (CD11b, CD86, CD206).
- High-throughput sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes.
Main Results:
- Aged IVDs exhibited reduced height, degeneration, decreased Col2/proteoglycan, and increased Col1.
- Senescence markers (P16, P21, P53) and macrophage markers (CD11b, CD86, CD206) were upregulated in aged IVDs.
- High-throughput sequencing identified 1975 differentially expressed genes, with notable up/downregulation and identified hub genes (Cox5a, Ndufs6, Ndufb9).
Conclusions:
- Age-related IVD degeneration is associated with increased senescence and altered macrophage polarization.
- Macrophages and differential gene expression are critical in IVD aging.
- These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for age-related IVD degeneration.
