title: Matrix metalloproteinase-3 production by human degenerated intervertebral disc.
abstract: To assess its possible role in the pathophysiology of intervertebral disc degeneration, we investigated the production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) using human intervertebral disc explant culture. Five normal and 10 degenerated disc specimens were used. The levels of MMP-3 released in the medium were measured with use of an enzyme immunoassay. The results showed that the level of MMP-3 in the degenerated group (0.57 microg/ml/mg wet weight; n = 10) was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.29 microg/ml/mg wet weight; n = 5) (p < 0.05). Immunostaining of MMP-3 revealed that the ratio of positive staining cells in the degenerated group was greater than that of the control group. These observations suggest that MMP-3 produced by human intervertebral disc may be involved in the intervertebral disc degeneration, particularly in the initiation of matrix degradation of intervertebral disc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamagishi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takaishi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000737:chemistry; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000201:enzymology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3