A novel method for determination of collagen orientation in cartilage by Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy (FT-IRIS)

OBJECTIVE: The orientation of collagen molecules is an important determinant of their functionality in connective tissues. The objective of the current study is to establish a method to determine the alignment of collagen molecules in histological sections of cartilage by polarized Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy (FT-IRIS), a method based on molecular vibrations. METHODS: Polarized FT-IRIS data obtained from highly oriented tendon collagen were utilized to calibrate the derived spectral parameters. The ratio of the integrated areas of the collagen amide I/II absorbances was used as an indicator of collagen orientation. These data were then applied to FT-IRIS analysis of the orientation of collagen molecules in equine articular cartilage, in equine repair cartilage after microfracture treatment, and in human osteoarthritic cartilage. Polarized light microscopy (PLM), the most frequently utilized technique to evaluate collagen fibril orientation in histological sections, was performed on picrosirius red-stained sections for comparison. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Thicknesses of each zone of normal equine cartilage (calculated based on differences in collagen orientation) were equivalent as determined by PLM and FT-IRIS. Comparable outcomes were obtained from the PLM and FT-IRIS analyses of repair and osteoarthritis tissues, whereby similar zonal variations in collagen orientation were apparent for the two methods. However, the PLM images of human osteoarthritic cartilage showed less obvious zonal discrimination and orientation compared to the FT-IRIS images, possibly attributable to the FT-IRIS method detecting molecular orientation changes prior to their manifestation at the microscopic level.     

软骨调节素在成人退变椎间盘中的表达

目的 利用分子生物学及免疫组化方法研究软骨调节素(ChM-Ⅰ)在成人退变椎间盘细胞及椎间盘组织中的表达情况.方法 2009年3月至4月取3例因腰椎间盘退变性疾病而需行后路椎间融合患者的椎间盘组织分别进行髓核及纤维环细胞培养.取部分原代细胞利用RT-PCR和Western blot研究ChM-Ⅰ mRNA和蛋白在成人退变椎间盘细胞中的表达情况.利用real-time PCR和Western blot研究不同浓度碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)对髓核细胞和纤维环细胞ChM-Ⅰ mRNA和蛋白表达的影响.收集2008年10月至2009年10月因腰椎间盘退变性疾病而行手术切除的椎间盘组织标本26例,根据MRI表现退变程度为Ⅲ～V级,作为退变组.收集同期因脊柱肿瘤行手术治疗时切除的椎间盘标本6例,退变程度Ⅰ级,作为对照组.利用免疫组化方法研究ChM-Ⅰ在不同退变程度椎间盘组织中的表达情况.结果 RT-PCR、Western blot显示ChM-Ⅰ在椎间盘髓核细胞及纤维环细胞中均有表达.bFGF可抑制ChM-Ⅰ在髓核及纤维环细胞中的表达,且呈剂量依赖性(P＜0.05).ChM-Ⅰ在对照组椎间盘组织中表达量很低,阳性细胞率为0.12±0.03,而在椎间盘发生退变后其表达量明显升高,退变组与对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 髓核细胞及纤维环细胞可表达ChM-Ⅰ,bFGF可明显抑制ChM-Ⅰ mRNA及蛋白的表达.椎间盘发生退变后ChM-Ⅰ表达明显升高,提示其可能在椎间盘退变的病理过程中发挥一定的作用.

Abstract：

Objectives To investigate the expression of chondromodulin-1(ChM-Ⅰ)in human adult degenerative intervertebral disc(IVD)cells and the relationship between ChM-Ⅰ expression and disc degeneration.Methods Three degenerated disc specimens obtained from patients in the treatment of disc degenerative disease from March to April 2009 were used for cell culture.ChM-Ⅰ expression in ⅣD cells was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot.The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)on the expression of ChM-Ⅰ was assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot.From October 2008 to October 2009,26 human ⅣD tissues were obtained from patients in the surgical treatment of disc degenerative disease at different stage of degeneration according to MRI.Six IVD tissues removed from patients with metastatic spinal tumor were used as normal control.The expression of ChM-Ⅰ determined by immunohistochemical analysis was correlated with MRI degeneration grade.Results RT-PCR and Western blot examination showed that ChM-Ⅰ was expressed in both adult degenerative anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus cells.The mRNA and protein expression of ChM-Ⅰ were both down-regulated by administration of bFGF with dose-dependent way(P＜0.05).Immunohistochemical analysis showed the percent of ChM-Ⅰ immunopositive cells in the control group was 0.12 ± 0.03,and the number increased significantly in the advanced degeneration group(P＜ 0.05).Conclusions The current results demonstrate that ⅣD cells express ChM-Ⅰ.Administration of bFGF down-regulates the expression of ChM- Ⅰ.The expression of ChM-Ⅰ is correlated with the degree of ⅣD degeneration which means it may involve in the process of ⅣD degeneration.     

不同状态胆囊组织的傅立叶变换红外光谱研究

目的 探索不同生理病理状态的胆囊组织各自特异的傅立叶变换红外光谱(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy，FT-IR)表现。方法 应用FT-IR对8例正常胆囊组织、10例炎性胆囊组织和10例胆囊癌组织进行检测，结合常规病理结果总结不同组织的光谱特征。结果 胆囊正常、炎性和癌组织具有不同的FT-IR光谱表现，1550cm^-1处的酰胺Ⅱ带在癌组织中显得较弱，峰形低平，而在正常组织中则较强，峰形高尖。1080cm^-1处核酸的吸收谱带在癌组织中较强，I1080／I1550的比值在正常组织中为0．62，癌组织中为0．87。正常组织中1450cm^-1处的峰多强于1400cm^-1处，而在癌组织中则相反。结论 胆囊正常、炎性和癌组织的FT-UR谱图不同，主要表现为组织中蛋白质、核酸和磷脂等含量与结构的改变，FT-IR有望成为胆道疾病临床诊断的一种新手段。     

细胞衰老及衰老相关分泌表型在椎间盘退变中的研究进展

椎间盘细胞在不断分裂增殖和外界不利因素的持续刺激下极易发生老化。衰老细胞在影响椎间盘结构和功能同时异常表达衰老相关分泌表型(SASP),通过分泌促炎因子、趋化因子、生长因子和蛋白酶类等物质加速椎间盘退变的进程。目前已证实抗衰老治疗在椎间盘退变疾病中有很好的应用前景,包括减少衰老细胞发生、细胞移植抗衰老治疗等,特别是近些...     

The presence of extracellular matrix degrading metalloproteinases during fetal development of the intervertebral disc

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) regulate connective tissue architecture and cell migration through extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and are associated with both physiological and pathological processes. Although they are known to play a role in skeletal development, little is known about the role of MMPs in intervertebral disc (IVD) development. Sixteen fetal human lumbar spine segments, obtained at autopsy, were compared with five normal, non-fetal L4–L5 IVDs. Intensity and/or localization of immunohistochemical staining for MMP-1, -2, -3 and -14 were evaluated by three independent observers. MMP-2 production and activation was quantified by gelatin zymography. MMP-1 and -14 were abundantly present in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and notochordal (NC) cells of the fetal IVDs. In non-fetal IVDs, MMP-1 and -14 staining was significantly less intense (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). MMP-3 was found in almost the entire IVD with no significant difference from non-fetal IVDs. MMP-2 staining in the NC and NP cells of the fetal IVD was moderate, but weak in the non-fetal IVD. Gelatin zymography showed a negative correlation of age with MMP-2 activity (p < 0.001). MMP-14 immunostaining correlated positively with MMP-2 activity (p = 0.001). For the first time, the presence of MMP-1, -2, -3 and -14 in the fetal human IVD is shown and the high levels of MMP-1, -2 and -14 suggest a role in the development of the IVD. In particular, the gradual decrease in MMP-2 activation during gestation pinpoints this enzyme as key player in fetal development, possibly through activation by MMP-1 and -14.     

微RNA-210抑制人退行性变髓核细胞自噬影响椎间盘退行性变

目的探讨微RNA-210(miRNA-210)对退行性变髓核细胞自噬的影响及其参与椎间盘退行性变(IDD)进程的可能机制。方法收集24例IDD患者(IDD组)和6例腰椎骨折患者(对照组)椎间盘组织进行分离,培养髓核细胞。通过实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR)检测髓核细胞中miRNA-210的表达,通过单丹磺酰尸胺(MDC)染色和蛋白质印迹法检测细胞自噬水平。通过FQ-PCR或蛋白质印迹法检测过表达或抑制miRNA-210对细胞自噬和细胞外基质代谢的影响。通过生物信息学手段寻找miRNA-210与自噬相关的靶基因及miRNA-210的结合位点,并应用双荧光素酶报告实验验证。结果与对照组相比,IDD组髓核细胞中miRNA-210表达量增加,细胞自噬水平降低。过表达miRNA-210会抑制髓核细胞自噬,同时降低Ⅱ型胶原(ColⅡ)及蛋白多糖表达量,升高基质金属蛋白酶-3(MMP-3)和MMP-13表达量。自噬抑制剂3-MA减弱miRNA-210对ColⅡ、蛋白多糖、MMP-3和MMP-13的调节作用。miRNA-210与自噬相关蛋白7(ATG7)存在结合位点,过表达miRNA-210通过沉默ATG7抑制细胞自噬,激活MMP-3和MMP-13,促进细胞外基质(ColⅡ和蛋白多糖)降解。结论在发生退行性变的椎间盘组织中miRNA-210表达量增加。过表达的miRNA-210可能通过直接作用于靶基因ATG7抑制细胞自噬,促进细胞外基质降解,推动IDD进程。     

大鼠尾椎椎间盘退变静态压力模型的构建

目的采用静态压力构建稳定的大鼠尾椎椎间盘退变模型。方法将40只12周龄大鼠随机分为静态压力组和针刺组,每组20只。静态压力组:在尾椎C_(4~7)椎体上安装静态压力环形外固定支架,压缩的4根弹簧施加的压强均为10 kPa,维持8周。针刺组:采用16 G针头刺入尾椎C_4/C_5/C_6/C_7椎间盘,限制损伤深度5 mm、朝向椎间盘中心,损伤后留置10 s。分别于术后8周进行组织病理学切片观察,采用秩和检验比较2组Thompson椎间盘退变病理分级。结果对2组大鼠尾椎共120个椎间盘髓核组织标本进行病理分级,统计结果显示静态压力组退变级别明显高于针刺组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论采用静态压力构建的椎间盘退变模型稳定可靠,较传统针刺模型具有优势,可为临床椎间盘退变研究提供可靠的动物模型。     

胶原酶髓核溶解术治疗腰椎间盘突出症概述

胶原酶髓核溶解术是治疗腰椎间盘突出症的一种有限手术,将胶原酶注入突出的椎间盘中或突出髓核周围,通过该酶催化降解髓核的胶原成分,降低髓核内的压力,使突出的椎间盘缩小或回复,减轻或解除对神经根的压迫,达到缓解或消除症状的目的.该方法是介于保守治疗与外科手术之间的方法,1968年哈佛大学医学院Sussman[1]首先提出用胶原酶替代木瓜凝乳蛋白酶溶解突出椎间盘,随后有更多的学者致力于该方法的研究.本文对胶原酶髓核溶解术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的实验与临床研究进展综述如下.……     

应用纤连蛋白片段建立椎间盘退变动物模型

目的:探讨应用N端30kDa纤连蛋白片段(Fn-f)建立模拟人类椎间盘退变规律的椎间盘退变动物模型的可行性,为椎间盘退变的防治提供实验模型及实验依据.方法:选取雄性6月龄新西兰大白兔28只,麻醉后使用30G微量注射针和微量注射器,在透视引导下经皮将25μl 1.5μmol/L Fn-f(Fn-f组)或25μl磷酸缓冲液(PBS,0.01mol/L,pH值7.2;PBS组)随机分别注射入不同节段的腰椎间盘中心区.分别于注射4、8、12、16周后获取椎间盘,对椎间盘进行组织学检测(HE、Masson三色及番红O染色),并以RT-PCR法对椎间盘聚集蛋白聚糖和Ⅱ型胶原的基因表达水平进行分析.结果:与注射PBS椎间盘相比,注射Fn-f椎间盘造模后4周时椎间盘的髓核、纤维环结构以及胞外基质蛋白聚糖等无明显差别;8周时髓核细胞数量减少、细胞簇状分布,被胞外基质分隔开来,纤维环层状结构排列部分出现紊乱,蛋白聚糖染色变浅;12和16周时髓核细胞数量明显减少,细胞变圆,呈明显的成簇聚集分布,纤维环排列明显不规整,各层间出现裂隙,甚至断裂,蛋白聚糖染色明显变浅,甚至部分未见染色.Fn-f组椎间盘聚集蛋白聚糖mRNA表达水平在8、12和16周3个时间点均明显低于PBS组(P＜0.05);Ⅱ型胶原mRNA表达水平在12和16周时明显低于PBS对照组(P＜0.05).结论:透视引导下兔椎间盘内注射N端30kDa Fn-f可诱导椎间盘产生渐进性退行性病变,该法建立的动物模型可作为研究椎间盘退变的发病机制及防治的实验模板.     

骨化相关基因在椎间盘退行性变中的作用机制研究进展

<正>椎间盘退行性变(IDD)是脊柱外科常见病和多发病,会引起一系列临床症状,是下腰痛及颈肩痛的主要原因,严重影响患者生活质量。IDD是一个多因素过程,包括基因因素、代谢和生物力学损伤等。发生退行性变的椎间盘会通过应力失衡、血供障碍、免疫反应、炎性因子介导等相关因素进一步导致相应症状及疾病的发生,而这些过程都     

ADAMTS在椎间盘退行性变中的作用

<正>椎间盘退行性变(IDD)是诸多脊柱退行性疾病的病理基础,尽管其发生机制仍没有完全清楚,但是普遍认为椎间盘细胞外基质(ECM)降解代谢的显著增加是重要原因之一。在过去10年中,通过利用人体样本与动物模型对椎间盘ECM降解的研究已经取得了巨大的进步,其中认为降解ECM(如聚蛋白聚糖)的关键酶——含血小板凝血酶敏感蛋白的解聚蛋白样金属蛋白酶(ADAMTS)家族在此过程中发挥了重要的作用~[1-2],因而ADAMTS家族     

基质细胞衍生因子-1在人正常和退变椎间盘中的表达、分布及意义

目的:比较人正常和退变椎间盘髓核中央区、髓核与纤维环交界区、纤维环外层、纤维环内层及软骨终板5个相邻部位的基质细胞衍生因子-1 (SDF-1)的表达情况,探讨退变椎间盘SDF-1的表达在上述五个相邻部位是否具有差异.方法:获取20例腰椎间盘突出症患者的椎间盘(L4/5,病理证实为退变椎间盘组织),并纳入退变组;7例急性腰椎爆裂骨折患者的椎间盘(L3/4)及3例脊柱侧凸患者的椎间盘(L2/3,病理证实为正常椎间盘组织),纳入正常组.HE染色观察两组椎间盘的组织学结构,免疫组织化学、Western-blot、rt-PCR检测椎间盘髓核中央区、髓核与纤维环交界区、纤维环内层、纤维环外层及软骨终板5个部位的SDF-1表达情况及分布,并将退变椎间盘上述5个部位的SDF-1免疫组化积分光密度值与供者年龄、椎间盘Thompson分级作相关分析.结果:正常组的上述5个部位SDF-1免疫组化积分光密度值分别为420.87±89.93、407.80±100.76、380.02±85.05、342.89±63.76、344.06±88.97;Western-blot灰度比值分别为0.08±0.03、0.08±0.05、0.07±0.04、0.05±0.03、0.05±0.02;rt-PCR灰度比值分别为0.22±0.06、0.22±0.05、0.20±0.04、0.20±0.04、0.20±0.04.退变组上述5个部位SDF-1免疫组化积分光密度值分别为7355.13±2271.74、5959.58±2436.23、5397.49±3044.80、1605.44±825.31、361.91±104.22; Western-blot灰度比值分别为0.55±0.29、0.52±0.28、0.42±0.18、0.21±0.12、0.06±0.04;rt-PCR灰度比值分别为0.75±0.30、0.71±0.26、0.55±0.22、0.36±0.17、0.22±0.13.退变椎间盘5个部位的SDF-1表达均高于正常组(P＜0.05),且SDF-1表达量髓核中央区＞纤维环内层＞纤维环外层＞软骨终板,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),而髓核中央区和髓核与纤维环交界区比较无统计学差异(P＞0.05);退变椎间盘上述5个部位的SDF-1表达与椎间盘Thompson分级、年龄呈正相关性(P＜0.05).结论:SDF-1广泛表达于退变和正常的椎间盘中,其表达在退变椎间盘中上述5个相邻部位存在差异.     

Validation of the intervertebral disc histological degeneration score in cervical intervertebral discs and their end plates

Background Context

Vertebral joints consist of intervertebral discs (IVDs) and cartilaginous end plates (EP) that lie superiorly and inferiorly to the IVDs and separate them from the adjacent vertebral bodies. With aging, both IVDs and EPs undergo degeneration. The Histologic Degeneration Score (HDS) is a grading system that microscopically evaluates the degree of degeneration in lumbar discs and predicts it with high accuracy basing on several histological markers of IVD and EP. There is currently a lack of validated histologic grading schemes for cervical spine degeneration.

Degeneration and the chemical composition of the human lumbar intervertebral disc

Fifteen lumbar spines were collected postmortem. The intervertebral discs were assigned morphological grades and were analyzed for water, collagen, and proteoglycan. In order of increasing degeneration, five grade 0, four grade 1, 45 grade 2, 12 grade 3A, and nine grade 3B discs were identified. The proteoglycan concentration fell progressively with increasing grade, although the concentrations of each component overlapped extensively among the grades. Grade 2 discs showed no consistent differences from adjacent grade 3A or 3B discs in the same spine. All discs in seven of the eight spines with grade 3A or 3B discs and all discs in three spines with no grade 3A or 3B discs had proteoglycan concentrations below 52 mg/g fresh weight. Four of five spines with at least one disc of proteoglycan concentration above this value contained no grade 3A or 3B discs. These observations support the hypothesis that low proteoglycan concentrations in all the discs of a spine precede degeneration.     

COL9A2链19外显子单核苷酸基因多态性与腰椎间盘退变相关性分析

目的:探讨Ⅸ型胶原蛋白 A2(COL9A2)链第19号外显子单核苷酸多态性与腰椎间盘退变的关系 方法:采用病例-对照研究方法,101例中国北方汉族腰椎间盘退变(LDD)与98例中国北方汉族非LDD患者,提取全血基因组DNA,对COL9A2链第19外显子进行扩增并测序,观察其单核苷酸多态性与LDD的相关性结果:在测序结果中发现,COL9A2链第19外显子中存在Gln326Trp和Gln326Arg多态性,并且在退变组与作退变组中分别为61、5和52、11.Gln326Trp和Gln326Arg多态性在退变组与非退变组相比无统计学差异(P＞o.05).对退变组分析,COL9A2链第19外显子Gln326Trp和Gln326Arg多念性与腰椎间盘退变程度、退变节段位置及退变节段数量无明显相关性(P＞0.05).结论:在中国北方汉族中,COL9A2第19外显子单核苷酸多态性可能不是决定腰椎间盘退变的主要危险因素.     

甲状旁腺激素延缓椎间盘退行性变机制的研究进展

<正>甲状旁腺激素(PTH)在骨代谢过程中发挥着双重调节作用,已广泛应用于骨质疏松症及预防骨质疏松性骨折的治疗~([1-2])。既往认为PTH为骨形成促进剂,在骨合成及分解代谢过程中起着关键作用;低剂量间断给药能提高绝经后骨质疏松妇女骨密度及改善骨质量,降低其骨折发生率~([3])。椎间盘退行性变(IDD)引起的疾病严重影响患者生活质量,其中椎间盘源性下腰痛占慢性腰背部疼痛的65%~([4])。约80%的成年人经历过不同程度的下腰痛~([5])。有研究发现,PTH不仅可以治疗骨质疏松,而且在延     

2002 SSE Award Competition in Basic Science: Expression of major matrix metalloproteinases is associated with intervertebral disc degradation and resorption

During the process of degeneration, the intervertebral disc (IVD) shows a progressive and significant reduction in height due to tissue resorption. Intradiscal clefts and tears are major hallmarks of disc degeneration. Matrix-degrading enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are assumed to play a pivotal role in disc tissue degradation and resorption. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the potential role of MMPs in extracellular matrix degradation leading to disc degeneration. This study was conducted on 30 formalin-fixed and EDTA-decalcified complete cross-sections of lumbar IVDs from cadavers of individuals aged between 0 and 86 years. Tissue sections were used for the immunolocalization of MMPs-1, -2, -3 and -9. The number of labeled cells was assessed by morphometric analyses, and was statistically correlated with the formation of clefts and tears, cellular proliferation, granular matrix changes and mucous degeneration. Furthermore, 30 disc specimens obtained during spinal surgery were used for in situ hybridization of MMP-2 and -3-mRNA. In addition, the enzymatic gelatinolytic activity was determined by in situ zymography in autopsy material. Immunohistochemistry showed the intradiscal expression of all four MMPs, which was confirmed by in situ hybridization, providing clear evidence for the synthesis of the enzymes within nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells. Gelatinolytic enzymatic activity was verified by in situ zymography. IVDs from infants and young adolescents remained almost completely unlabeled for all MMPs tested, while more MMPs-1 and -3 were seen in disc cells of younger adults than in those of a more advanced age; MMP-2 remained unchanged over the adult age periods, and MMP-9 was expressed in only relatively few cells. This pattern significantly correlated with the occurrence of clefts and tears. This correlation was strongest for MMP-1 ( P<0.0001), MMP-2 ( P<0.0017) and MMP-3 ( P<0.0005) in the nucleus, and MMP-1 ( P<0.0001) and MMP-2 ( P<0.038) in the annulus. In parallel, the proliferation of disc cells and matrix degeneration (granular changes and mucous degeneration) were related to MMP expression. Likewise, enzymatic activity was seen in association with cleft formation. Our data suggest that major MMPs play an important role in the degradation of the IVD. This is evidenced by the high correlation of MMP expression with the formation of clefts and tears. These findings implicate a leading function for MMPs in IVD degeneration resulting in the loss of normal disc function, eventually leading to low-back pain.     

生物相容高分子水凝胶在椎间盘修复再生方面作用的研究进展

椎间盘退行性变为慢性疾病,会导致脊柱承重不稳,进而损伤脊髓、马尾神经和神经根,60%的70岁以上老年人群会发病^[1-2]。由于椎间盘退行性变的病理学、病理生理学及生物力学机制并不完全清楚,目前的治疗手段仅能减轻疼痛症状,不能完全消除疾病^[3-4]。椎间盘切除术和椎间融合术是治疗椎间盘退行性变的常用术式,但易造成脊柱生物力学的改变^[5]。人工椎间盘可应用于椎间盘退行性变的治疗,但因椎间盘的结构和功能复杂,很难设计出理想的椎间盘假体来保持天然组织结构和生物力学特征。理想的生物组织替代物应具有高强度、高柔性和高韧性^[6]。