Fibrotic alterations in human annulus fibrosus correlate with progression of intervertebral disc herniation

Data de publicação:

Autores da FMUP

  • Paulo Miguel Da Silva Pereira

    Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

  • Castro, AL
  • Ribeiro Machado, C
  • Oliveira, CM
  • Teixeira, GQ
  • Neidlinger Wilke, C
  • Vaz, R
  • Barbosa, MA
  • Gonçalves, RM

Unidades de investigação

Abstract

Background Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation is characterized by annulus fibrosus failure (AF) in containing the nucleus pulposus (NP). IVD herniation involves cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations that have been associated with tissue fibrosis, although still poorly investigated. Methods Here, fibrotic alterations in human AF were evaluated, by characterizing the herniated ECM. Human AF samples (herniated lumbar IVD (n = 39, age 24-83) and scoliosis controls (n = 6, age 15-21)) were processed for transmission electron microscopy and histological/immunohistochemical analysis of fibrotic markers. Correlations between the fibrotic markers in AF ECM and the degree of NP containment (protused, contained and uncontained) and patients' age were conducted. Results Our results demonstrate that with herniation progression, i.e. loss of NP containment, human AF presents less stained area of sulphated glycosaminoglycans and collagen I, being collagen I fibres thinner and disorganized. On the other hand, fibronectin stained area and percentage of alpha-smooth muscle actin+ cells increase in human AF, while matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP12) production and percentage of macrophages (CD68+ cells) remain constant. These structural and biochemical fibrotic alterations observed in human AF with herniation progression occur independently of the age. Conclusions The characterization of human AF here conducted evidence the presence of fibrosis in degenerated IVD, while highlighting the importance of considering the herniation progression stage, despite the patients' age, for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind AF failure and IVD herniation.

Dados da publicação

ISSN/ISSNe:
1478-6354, 1478-6362

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY  BioMed Central Ltd.

Tipo:
Article
Páginas:
-

Citações Recebidas na Web of Science: 10

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Keywords

  • Annulus fibrosus; Disc herniation; Fibrosis; Extracellular matrix

Financiamento

Proyectos asociados

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Are Spinopelvic Parameters predictive of low back pain 8 years later in an asymptomatic population?

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Estudo Clínico Académico (Spinopelvic) . 2020

Long-term outcome of redo discectomy for recurrent lumbar disc herniations

Investigador Principal: Paulo Miguel da Silva Pereira

Estudo Clínico Académico (Lumbar disc) . 2021

Is the outcome after lumbar discectomy impacted by fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscles?

Investigador Principal: Paulo Miguel da Silva Pereira

Estudo Clínico Académico . 2021

Does sagittal alignment influence outcome for patients who undergo anterior cervical fusion for degenerative pathologies?

Investigador Principal: Paulo Miguel da Silva Pereira

Estudo Clínico Académico . 2020

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