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Published on: November 23, 2014
Concomitant immunocytochemical study of macrophage cells and blood vessels in disc herniation tissue
1Spine Research Unit, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Insights
Macrophages and blood vessels are prevalent in herniated discs (DH). Macrophages infiltrate from blood vessels, particularly in areas with cartilage fragments, suggesting a role in disc herniation pathology.
Area of Science:
- Immunohistochemistry
- Pathology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Herniated discs (DH) are a common cause of back pain.
- The cellular and vascular composition of herniated disc tissue is not fully understood.
- Understanding these components may elucidate the mechanisms of disc herniation and associated pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To immunocytochemically investigate the presence and distribution of macrophages and blood vessels in herniated disc tissue.
- To explore the relationship between macrophages, blood vessels, and cartilage fragments within herniated discs.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of serial frozen sections from 20 herniated disc samples.
- Antibodies used: anti-CD68 for macrophages and anti-von Willebrand factor for blood vessels.
- Correlation analysis between vascularity, macrophage presence, and clinical data (pain duration).
Main Results:
- Blood vessels were detected in 80% (16/20) of herniated discs.
- Abundant macrophages were found in 55% (11/20) of herniated discs.
- Macrophages were exclusively observed in areas with blood vessels, indicating infiltration from the vasculature. Vascularity was not correlated with pain duration. Cartilage fragments were associated with increased macrophages and blood vessels.
Conclusions:
- Blood vessels are a common feature in herniated discs, with some potentially newly formed.
- Macrophages infiltrate herniated disc tissue from blood vessels.
- The presence of macrophages and blood vessels is particularly pronounced in areas containing cartilage fragments, suggesting their involvement in the inflammatory and degenerative processes of disc herniation.
Abstract:
Twenty disc herniations (DH) were studied immunocytochemically for macrophages and blood vessels. Serial thin frozen sections were immunostained with an antibody specific for tissue macrophages (monoclonal antibody to CD68 antigen) and the endothelium of blood vessels (polyclonal antibody to von Willebrand factor). With this method, blood vessels, often abundant, were observed in as many as 16/20 (80%) of the DH studied, 12 disc extrusions and 8 sequestrated discs, whereas abundant macrophages were noted in 11/20 (55%) of the DH. Macrophages were present only in areas with blood vessels and had presumably infiltrated the tissue from them. As has been noted previously, some blood vessels are apparently newly formed as a result of tissue injury, whereas others were present in the disc prior to herniation. This is suggested by the lack of a clear correlation between the presence or absence of blood vessels and the preoperative duration of radicular pain. In areas of the DH where cartilage fragments occurred, both macrophages and blood vessels were particularly abundant.
