Gene expression of types I, II, and VI collagen, aggrecan, and chondroitin-6-sulfotransferase in the human annulus: in situ hybridization findings.

Background Context: Within each lamellar bundle in the annulus, disc cells produce a complex and sophisticated architectural organization which acts to meet the unique biomechanical needs of the disc. How cells coordinate expression of genes throughout the disc is an important but as yet poorly understood process. For the annulus, such coordination probably involves cell-cell communication as well as growth factor and mechanoreceptor signaling to appropriately maintain the disc extracellular matrix (ECM) for the prevention of annular tears.

Purpose: To determine the percentage and patterns of gene expression for types I, II, and VI collagen, aggrecan, and chondroitin-6-sulfotransferase in the human annulus.

Study Design/setting: Human annulus specimens were obtained from surgical subjects and a control donor in a study approved by the authors' Human Subjects Institutional Review Board.

Patient Sample: Four Thompson grade II, three grade III, and four grade IV annulus specimens were evaluated with in situ hybridization to determine gene expression.

Outcome Measures: The percentages of cells in the human annulus expressing type I, II, and VI collagen, aggrecan, and chondroitin-6-sulfotransferase.

Methods: In situ hybridization, a technique with high temporal and spatial resolution, was used to detect gene expression of types I, II, and VI collagen, aggrecan, and chondroitin-6 sulfotransferase in cells in adjacent sections of annulus from discs with Thompson grades of II, III, and IV.

Results: Overall, 30.8% of cells expressed aggrecan, 38.4% type I collagen, 45.6% type II collagen, 48.1% type VI collagen, and 57.7% chondroitin-6-sulfotransferase. An important finding was that adjacent cells could be expressing, or not expressing, the gene of interest. These data could not have been gained from other global molecular techniques such as microarray analysis or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Information on gene expression by individual disc cells is important to better understand disc matrix homeostasis, the pathogenesis of disc degeneration, and to formulate potential biologic therapies for disc degeneration.

Conclusions: This in situ hybridization study revealed the important finding that adjacent cells differ in their gene expression patterns for specific genes. Factors that could contribute to this difference in adjacent cell gene expression include cellular heterogeneity within the annulus, the presence of senescent cells with altered gene expression, and/or loss of coordinated disc cell function as a result of disruption of cell-cell communication.