title: Transcriptional profiling of the nucleus pulposus: say yes to notochord.
abstract: This editorial addresses the debate concerning the origin of adult nucleus pulposus cells in the light of profiling studies by Minogue and colleagues. In their report of several marker genes that distinguish nucleus pulposus cells from other related cell types, the authors provide novel insights into the notochordal nature of the former. Together with recently published work, their work lends support to the view that all cells present within the nucleus pulposus are derived from the notochord. Hence, the choice of an animal model for disc research should be based on considerations other than the cell loss and replacement by non-notochordal cells.
authors.forename: Irving M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Makarand V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Risbud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D053538:Keratin-18 / Q000378:metabolism; D053533:Keratin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009672:Notochord / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000098908:Brachyury Protein
chemical_list: D005326:Fetal Proteins; D053538:Keratin-18; D053533:Keratin-8; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098908:Brachyury Protein