Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a major cause of neck and back pain, a very common clinical problem. However, no effective treatment is available, which is largely due to the lack of understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying disc degeneration. Here, we briefly described the process of intervertebral disc aging and degeneration and summarized major findings in molecular signaling pathways implicated in disc aging and degeneration.
Highlights
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a major cause of neck and back pain, a very common clinical problem
Clefts/ tears extend into the outer annulus, and are filled with granular material; fibroblasts in the outer annulus differentiate into chondrocyte-like cells, and deposit matrix; chondrocyte-like cells in the inner annulus and endplates form large clones and migrate into the nucleus [6,7]
As disc degeneration is a major cause of neck and back pain, a leading cause of disability in people aged less than 45 years, an effective treatment is required [10,11]
Summary
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a major cause of neck and back pain, a very common clinical problem. In the early stage of disc degeneration, clefts and tears occur in the nucleus and the inner annulus, and chondrocytelike cells in the inner annulus proliferate (cloning) and produce matrix in the vicinity of the structural defects [6]. Clefts/ tears extend into the outer annulus, and are filled with granular material; fibroblasts in the outer annulus differentiate into chondrocyte-like cells, and deposit matrix; chondrocyte-like cells in the inner annulus and endplates form large clones and migrate into the nucleus [6,7].
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