Year: 2015
Type: review
Abstract: The intervertebral disc is an important mechanical structure that allows range of motion of the spinal column. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc--incited by aging, traumatic insult, genetic predisposition, or other factors--is often defined by functional and structural changes in the tissue, including excessive breakdown of the extracellular matrix, increased disc cell senescence and death, as well as compromised biomechanical function of the tissue. Intervertebral disc degeneration is strongly correlated with low back pain, which is a highly prevalent and costly condition, significantly contributing to loss in productivity and health care costs. Disc degeneration is a chronic, progressive condition, and current therapies are limited and often focused on symptomatic pain relief rather than curtailing the progression of the disease. Inflammatory processes exacerbated by cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are believed to be key mediators of disc degeneration and low back pain. In this review, we describe the contributions of TNF-α and IL-1β to changes seen during disc degeneration at both cellular and tissue level, as well as new evidence suggesting a link between infection of the spine and low back pain, and the emerging therapeutic modalities aimed at combating these processes.
Source: European Cells and Materials
DOI: 10.22203/ecm.v030a08
Authors: ZI Johnson, ZR Schoepflin, H Choi, IM Shapiro, MV Risbud
Institution: Thomas Jefferson University
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,000
Awards: Connective Tissue and Regenration Medicine Training Program, Disruption of Osmoregulation Promotes Degenerative Disc Disease, Regeneration of Nucleus Pulposus by Tissue Engineering, Role of HIF-1 in Intervertebral Disc Function, Disruption of HIF-PHD system promotes intervertebral disc degeneration
OpenAlex ID: W2189695522