Knocking down EGR1 inhibits nucleus pulposus cell senescence and mitochondrial damage through activation of PINK1-Parkin dependent mitophagy, thereby delaying intervertebral disc degeneration.

Mitophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of intervertebral disc (IVD). Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1), a conservative transcription factor, is commonly upregulated under oxidative stress conditions and participates in regulating cellular senescence, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. However, the specific role of EGR1 in nucleus pulposus (NP) cell senescence and mitophagy remains unclear.

SKI knockdown suppresses apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation of nucleus pulposus cells via inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and ameliorates disc degeneration.

This study aimed to determine the effects of SKI on interleukin (IL)-1β-induced apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), and the Wnt signaling pathway. NP tissue specimens of different Pfirrmann grades (II-V) were collected from patients with different grades of IDD. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to compare SKI mRNA and protein expression in NP tissues from patients.

New Hope for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Exosomes Derived from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSCs), multidirectional cells with self-renewal capacity, can differentiate into many cell types and play essential roles in tissue healing and regenerative medicine. Cell experiments and in vivo research in animal models have shown that BMSCs can repair degenerative discs by promoting cell proliferation and expressing Extracellular Matrix (ECM) components, such as type II collagen and protein-polysaccharides. Delaying or reversing the Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IDD) process at an etiological level may be an effective strategy.

Targeted therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration: inhibiting apoptosis is a promising treatment strategy.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is a multifactorial pathological process associated with low back pain (LBP). The pathogenesis is complicated, and the main pathological changes are IVD cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Apoptotic cell loss leads to ECM degradation, which plays an essential role in IDD pathogenesis.

Comparison between zero-profile and cage plate devices in the treatment of single-level cervical spondylopathy.

Objective: To compare the new zero-profile (Zero-P) fusion cage with regular cage and plate (CP) in the treatment of anterior cervical single-level cervical degenerative diseases.

Methods: Patients operated from January 2013 to August 2018 were enrolled. They were divided into the Zero-P group ( = 74 cases) and CP groups ( = 116 cases).

Exosomes in osteosarcoma research and preclinical practice.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare soft-tissue malignant tumor with high lung metastasis and mortality rates. Preoperative chemotherapy, surgical resection of the lesion and postoperative chemotherapy are still the main treatments for osteosarcoma. The prognosis, however, is poor for patients with nonresectable, primary metastatic or relapsed disease.

Screening of osteoarthritis diagnostic markers based on immune-related genes and immune infiltration.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease of the bone and joints. Immune-related genes and immune cell infiltration are important in OA development. We analyzed immune-related genes and immune infiltrates to identify OA diagnostic markers.