[Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in degenerative lumbar intervertebral disc].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in degenerative human intervertebral disc.


METHODS
Specimens of the nucleus pulposus of the degenerative discs were obtained from patients with lumbar disc herniation (experimental group), and those from young patients suffering thoracolumbal vertebral bursting fracture served as the control. The experimental group was divided into three subgroups according to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. The tissue specimens from all the groups were examined for HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 expressions using immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The tissues in the experimental group showed significantly higher expressions of HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the expressions increased significantly with the severity of the degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs (P<0.05). A positive correlation was found between the expressions of the HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 in degenerative intervertebral discs.


CONCLUSIONS
HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 may participate in the degeneration of human intervertebral discs, in which process their expressions show a common pattern of enhancement with the progression of the condition.
Wu
Wei-ping
WP
Department of Spinal Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, China. wwpdr@163.com
Jiang
Jian-ming
JM
Qu
Dong-bin
DB
Wei
Qing-zhu
QZ
Jiang
Hui
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2