Small leucine‐rich proteoglycans (SLRPs): characteristics and function in the intervertebral disc |
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| Authors: | Eric Klineberg Victor YL Leung Shishu Huang |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Orthopaedics, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California, USA;2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong;3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital;4. State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China;5. Research Centre for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenzhen, China |
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| Abstract: | The intervertebral disc (IVD) is responsible for normal spinal motion and load distribution. However, degeneration may occur due to age‐ and non‐age‐related processes and is primarily characterized by a reduction in the number of chondrocyte‐like cells and abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) structure in the nucleus pulposus. Although IVD progenitor cells have been identified, the local microenvironment components regulating the behaviour of these progenitor cell populations remain unknown. Small leucine‐rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are bioactive components of the ECM associated with fibrillogenesis, cellular growth and apoptosis and tissue remodelling. SLRPs support the survival of IVD progenitor cells under hypoxic conditions via the activation of specific hypoxia‐inducible factors. Additionally, SLRPs deficiency (biglycan) in knockout mice is sufficient to accelerate the IVD degenerative process. These data suggest that SLRPs play an important role in the homeostasis of IVD. Given their specific properties and physiological functions, we propose a role of SLRPs in IVD degeneration and potential application in its regeneration. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | SLRPs intervertebral disc progenitor cell regeneration knockout mice hypoxia homeostasis nucleus pulposus |
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