The human lumbar intervertebral disc: evidence for changes in the biosynthesis and denaturation of the extracellular matrix with growth, maturation, ageing, and degeneration.

Very little is known about the turnover of extracellular matrix in the human intervertebral disc. We measured concentrations of specific molecules reflecting matrix synthesis and degradation in predetermined regions of 121 human lumbar intervertebral discs and correlated them with ageing and Thompson grade of degeneration. Synthesis in intervertebral discs, measured by immunoassay of the content of a putative aggrecan biosynthesis marker (846) and the content of types I and II procollagen markers, is highest in the neonatal and 2-5-yr age groups.

The human lumbar endplate. Evidence of changes in biosynthesis and denaturation of the extracellular matrix with growth, maturation, aging, and degeneration.

Study Design: The authors measured concentrations of specific molecules reflecting matrix synthesis and degradation in 121 human endplates and correlated them with aging and grade of degeneration.

Objectives: Abnormal endplate development has been implicated in many spinal abnormalities, yet little is known about endplate matrix component turnover.

Summary Of Background Data: Techniques are available to perform an in situ investigation of matrix component turnover with aging and degeneration.

Structure of the gene for cartilage matrix protein, a modular protein of the extracellular matrix. Exon/intron organization, unusual splice sites, and relation to alpha chains of beta 2 integrins, von Willebrand factor, complement factors B and C2, and epidermal growth factor.

The entire gene for chicken cartilage matrix protein (CMP) has been isolated and characterized by restriction mapping, electron microscopy, nuclease S1 mapping, and sequence analysis. The gene, which is present in a single copy in the chicken genome, is 18 kilobase pairs long and comprises eight exons and seven introns. It has two transcription initiation sites, 8 base pairs from each other.