Abstract
Previous studies have reported abnormal muscle morphology and functions in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). To answer whether such abnormalities could be reflected in their circulation and their clinical implication for predicting curve progression to the surgical threshold, this preliminary study explored the presence of baseline muscle-related proteins and their association with curve progression. Plasma samples were collected at the first clinical visit for AIS, with patients divided into non-progressive or progressive groups (N = four and four) according to their Cobb angle in six-year follow-ups, with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (N = 50). Then, the samples were subjected to isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) for global comparison of untargeted protein expression. Seventy-one differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were found elevated in progressive AIS. Functional analysis showed that 18 of these are expressed in muscles and play an essential role in muscle activities. Among the muscle-related DEPs, α-actin had the highest fold change in progressive/non-progressive groups. This preliminary study firstly suggested higher circulating levels of muscle structural proteins in progressive AIS, indicating the likelihood of structural damage at the microscopic level and its association with progression to the surgical threshold. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these novel candidates for early diagnosis and predicting progression.
Highlights
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of three-dimensional structural deformity occurring during the puberty growth period, with a prevalence of 1~4% worldwide
As the prevalence of AIS is likely linked to sex and there is a higher risk of curve progression in girls, female subjects with AIS with a maximal Cobb angle of
The Cobb angle of the major curve in the two AIS groups showed no significant difference at their first visit
Summary
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of three-dimensional structural deformity occurring during the puberty growth period, with a prevalence of 1~4% worldwide. A five-year idiopathic scoliosis screening program of 255,875 children aged 11~14 years old in Japan reported that the prevalent ratio of girls to boys was 11:1 [2]. Wearing braces could cause a negative cosmetic appearance, poor self-esteem, and functional discomfort [5], resulting in insufficient wearing time and affecting the effectiveness of this treatment. Those that develop a Cobb angle of major curve >40~45◦ in the thoracolumbar region, or >50◦ in the thoracic region, might accept invasive surgery to correct the anatomical deformation and to reduce the risk of further progression during adulthood. Investigation on unexplored areas is worthwhile to develop more effective prognostication and treatment
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