Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40436859›Full record

ArticleCell death discovery2025

NOXA exacerbates endoplasmic-reticulum-stress-induced intervertebral disc degeneration by activating apoptosis and ECM degradation.

Zhiming Liu, Hui Lu, Xianjuan Zhang, Shuai Tang, Antao Lin, Shuo Han, Xuexiao Ma

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cell death discovery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. DDRGK1 preserves intervertebral disc development through ufmylation.Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS · 2025
    Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zhiming LiuDepartment of Spinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Hui LuDepartment of Spinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Xianjuan ZhangDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Shuai TangDepartment of Spinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Antao LinDepartment of Spinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Shuo Han *Department of Spinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China. 576110131@qq.com.
Xuexiao Ma *Department of Spinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China. maxuexiaospinal@163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0967-6424

Funding

Taishan Scholar Foundation of Shandong Province No. tstp20230664
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prevalent condition leading to low back pain. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is strongly linked to IVDD progression, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of NOXA on ERS-induced IVDD. Primary nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were stimulated with Thapsigargin to mimic the ERS microenvironment in IVDD. Western blot analysis, PCR, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry assay were performed to measure the expression levels of PERK, NOXA, and cell apoptosis- and extracellular-matrix-degradation-relevant proteins. JC-1 fluorescent probes, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, and flow cytometry were used to measure mitochondrial function and apoptosis in NPCs under ERS conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging, Safranin O staining, alcian blue staining, and immunohistochemistry were performed to estimate the effects of NOXA knockdown on acupuncture-mediated IVDD in rats at both imaging and histological levels. The results showed that ERS induced and activated the PERK pathway during IVDD development. Mechanically, ERS induced NPC apoptosis and ECM degradation by upregulating PERK expression and activating NOXA expression. The genetic overexpression of NOXA inhibited cell proliferation and increased apoptosis, whereas its knockdown decreased MCL-1 expression and alleviated IVDD degeneration in human NPCs and rat models. NOXA plays a crucial role in the PERK/NOXA/MCL-1 axis, mediating the link between ERS and IVDD. Targeting NOXA expression may be an effective method for treating IVDD, laying the foundation for future research on molecular mechanisms and the development of new therapies.

Identifiers

PMID40436859
PMCPMC12119965

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.