Expression of Fas receptor on disc cells in herniated lumbar disc tissue.
METHODS
The expression of Fas receptor, an apoptosis-related protein, on disc cells was examined in surgically obtained disc specimens.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the fate of disc cells in herniated disc tissue and the difference in the degree of expression of the Fas receptor between contained and noncontained discs.


BACKGROUND
Little is known about the fate of disc cells after herniation.


METHODS
Twenty-three herniated lumbar disc specimens were classified into contained discs (protrusion or subligamentous extrusion; n = 9) and noncontained discs (transligamentous extrusion or sequestration; n = 14). All specimens were stained using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. The percentage of disc cells positive for Fas receptor was calculated and compared with clinical and radiologic data.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the percentage of Fas-positive disc cells between the contained and noncontained discs (8.44 vs.- 14.29;P = 0.044). The percentage of Fas-positive disc cells correlated significantly with the patient's age (r = 0.455, P = 0.029), but not with the degree of disc degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging (r = 0.252, P = 0.214).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to identify the expression of Fas receptor on disc cells in herniated disc tissue. The results show that the disc cells after herniation may undergo Fas-mediated apoptosis and that the degree of expression of Fas receptor differs depending on the type of herniation.
Park
J B
JB
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. spinepjb@cmc.cuk.ac.kr
Kim
K W
KW
Han
C W
CW
Chang
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
D019014:fas Receptor