Immunomorphogenesis in Degenerative Disc Disease: The Role of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Angiogenesis Factors.

Back pain (BP) due to degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a severe, often disabling condition. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the expression level of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17), angiogenesis markers (VEGF-A and CD31) in intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue and IVD degeneration in young people with discogenic BP. In patients who underwent discectomy for a disc herniation, a clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of these factors in IVD were performed in comparison with the parameters of healthy group samples (controls).

Adenylyl cyclase isoform 1 contributes to sinoatrial node automaticity via functional microdomains.

Sinoatrial node (SAN) cells are the heart's primary pacemaker. Their activity is tightly regulated by β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling. Adenylyl cyclase (AC) is a key enzyme in the β-AR pathway that catalyzes the production of cAMP.

Protocol to record and quantify the intracellular pH in contracting cardiomyocytes.

Intracellular pH (pH) plays critical roles in the regulation of cardiac function. Methods and techniques for cardiac pH measurement have continued to evolve since early 1960s. Fluorescent microscopy is the most recently developed technique with several advantages over other techniques including higher spatial and temporal resolutions, and feasibility for contracting cell measurement.

Beat-to-beat dynamic regulation of intracellular pH in cardiomyocytes.

The mammalian heart beats incessantly with rhythmic mechanical activities generating acids that need to be buffered to maintain a stable intracellular pH (pH) for normal cardiac function. Even though spatial pH non-uniformity in cardiomyocytes has been documented, it remains unknown how pH is regulated to match the dynamic cardiac contractions. Here, we demonstrated beat-to-beat intracellular acidification, termed pH transients, in synchrony with cardiomyocyte contractions.