Runx2在人退变腰椎间盘软骨终板中的表达及意义

目的观察Runx2在人退变腰椎间盘软骨终板中的表达情况并探讨其与软骨终板退变的关系。方法 收集人腰椎间盘软骨终板组织42例,其中,椎体骨折患者的手术标本20例为对照组,椎间盘退变患者的手术标本22例为实验组。H-E染色、免疫组织化学法、及PCR法检测Runx2的表达量；Western印迹法检测两组之间Runx2、aggrecan及collagen I的表达量。结果 对照组终板软骨结构清晰完整,而退变组的软骨终板结构破坏严重。正常终板软骨中几乎没有Runx2的表达,退变的软骨终板可见明显的Runx2阳性细胞。轻度退变组、中度退变组和重度退变组Runx2 mRNA的表达量分别为对照组的(4.74±0.78)、(7.74±0.97)、(16.97±1.89)倍。Runx2 mRNA的表达量与腰椎间盘软骨终板退变的程度呈明显的正相关。Western印迹法显示,轻度退变组Runx2、aggrecan及collagen I蛋白表达量分别为对照组的(2.79±0.52)倍、(0.48±0.12)、(0.67±0.17)差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)；中度退变组Runx2、aggrecan及collagen I蛋白表达量分别为对照组的(4.40±1.78)倍、(0.23±0.14)、(0.36±0.12)差异有统计学意义(均P<0.01)；重度退变组Runx2、aggrecan及collagen I蛋白表达量分别为对照组的(8.75±1.88)倍、(0.13±0.09)、(0.08±0.03)差异有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。结论 Runx2可以作为预测腰椎间盘退变和软骨终板退变严重程度的指标,并可作为治疗腰椎间盘退变性疾病的潜在靶点。

Expression of Runx2 in degenerated lumbar endplate cartilage and its clinical significance

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of Runx2 in degenerated lumbar endplate cartilage and its clinical significance. Methods Twenty two specimens of degenerated human lumbar cartilage endplates (study group) and 20 specimens of non-degenerated lumbar cartilage endplate (control group) were collected. H-E staining was used to examine the morphological changes of lumbar cartilage endplate. The expression of Runx2 protein and mRNA was detected with immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively; the expression of aggrecan and collagen I was also detected with Western blotting in two groups. Results The structure of cartilage endplate was complete and compactly arranged in control group, while in the degenerated group the structure of endplate was seriously destructed. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the Runx2-positive cells were scarcely distributed in normal endplates, while significantly widely distributed in the degenerated endplates. In the mild, moderate and severe degenerative groups, RT-PCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression of Runx2 was positively correlated with the degenerative degree of endplate cartilage, which was (4.74±0.78), (7.74±0.97) and (16.97±1.89) fold higher than that of control group, respectively. Western-blotting showed that the expressions of Runx2, aggrecan and collagen I protein in mild, moderate and severe degenerative group were (2.79±0.52), (0.48±0.12), (0.67±0.17) fold (P<0.05); (0.36±0.12), (0.23±0.14), (4.40±1.78) fold (P<0.01); and (8.75±1.88), (0.13±0.09), (0.08±0.03) fold (P<0.01) higher than those in control group. Conclusion Runx2 can be an ideal indicator to predict the degeneration degree of lumbar endplate cartilage and may serve as a potential treatment target for lumbar disc degenerative diseases.