title: Small  molecule-enrichment analysis in response to osmotic stimuli in the  intervertebral disc.
abstract: The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a heterogeneous structure that contributes to load support and flexibility in the spine. IVD cells experience a broad range of physical stimuli under physiological conditions, including alterations in their osmotic environment. To date, the molecular mechanisms regulating the response of IVD to osmotic pressure are still not well understood. We obtained the gene expression profile of human IVD cells from NCBI and looked for potential therapeutic drug candidates. Based on microarray data, we concluded that RAP2A and GNA13 appear to have a role in response to osmotic stimuli in intervertebral discs. Using a computational bioinformatics method, we determined that thioridazine has potential as a therapeutic drug candidate for regulating osmotic pressure changes in IVD cells. We anticipate that our results will be used to generate hypotheses for laboratory, patient, and population-based studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai First Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, P.R. China.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Y Z
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009997:Osmotic Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D054852:Small Molecule Libraries