ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2021
Elevated lymphotoxin-α (TNFβ) is associated with intervertebral disc degeneration.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Restoring disc matrix homeostasis: Dual-miRNA and human platelet lysate as a novel therapeutic strategy.Materials today. Bio · 2026Article
- DEPTOR regulates nucleus pulposus cell senescence through the mTORC1/S6K1/ATG1 pathway to alleviate intervertebral disk degeneration.Cell death discovery · 2025Article
- LT-α Facilitates the Aerobic Glycolysis and M1 Polarization of Macrophages by Activating the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.Journal of inflammation research · 2025Article
- Navigating the Neuroimmunomodulation Frontier: Pioneering Approaches and Promising Horizons-A Comprehensive Review.International journal of molecular sciences · 2024Review
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes as a Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2021Review
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Authors and funding
13 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundIntervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a primary cause of degenerative disc diseases; however, the mechanisms underlying the degeneration remain unclear. The immunoinflammatory response plays an important role in IVDD progression. The inflammatory cytokine lymphotoxin-α (LTα), formerly known as TNFβ, is associated with various pathological conditions, while its role in the pathogenesis of IVDD remains elusive.
methodsReal-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting (WB), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the levels of LTα in human nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues between degeneration and control groups. The plasma concentrations of LTα and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between healthy and IVDD patients. Rat primary NP cells were cultured and identified via immunofluorescence. Methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assays and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effects of LTα on rat NP cell viability. After NP cells were treated with LTα, degeneration-related molecules (Caspase-3, Caspase-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -3, aggrecan and type II collagen) were measured via RT-qPCR and WB.
resultsThe levels of both the mRNA and protein of LTα in human degenerated NP tissue significantly increased. Plasma LTα and CRP did not differ between healthy controls and IVDD patients. Rat primary NP cells were cultured, and the purity of primary NP cells was > 90%. Cell experiments showed inversely proportional relationships among the LTα dose, treatment time, and cell viability. The optimal conditions (dose and time) for LTα treatment to induce rat NP cell degeneration were 5 μg/ml and 48 ~ 72 h. The apoptosis rate and the levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-1, and MMP-3 significantly increased after LTα treatment, while the levels of type II collagen and aggrecan were decreased, and the protein expression levels were consistent with their mRNA expression levels.
conclusionsThis study demonstrated that elevated LTα is closely associated with IVDD and that LTα may induce NP cell apoptosis and reduce important extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which cause adverse effects on IVDD progress. Moreover, the optimal conditions for LTα treatment to induce NP cell degeneration were determined.
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