title: Expression of the JAK/STAT3/SOCS3 signaling pathway in herniated lumbar discs.
abstract: The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in causing symptoms of lumbar disk herniation. The present study clarifies the expression of the signaling pathway of IL-6 in herniated discs. Homogenates prepared from lumbar herniated discs from 10 patients were assessed. The expression of janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphorylated (p)-STAT3 at Tyr(705), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and actin was examined by Western blot analysis. The expression of JAK1, STAT3, and p-STAT3 at Tyr(705) was also examined by immunostaining. JAK1, STAT3, p-STAT3 at Tyr(705) and SOCS3 were detected in almost all cases. Immunoreactivity against JAK1 and STAT3 was observed mainly in chondrocytes, whereas immunoreactivity against p-STAT3 at Tyr(705) was observed in the nuclei of chondrocytes. The JAK/STAT signaling pathway might be activated by IL-6 and transmit messages from the cell surface to the nucleus, and the pathway is negatively regulated by SOCS3. These JAK1, STAT3 and SOCS3 molecules might tightly regulate and play a role in the degeneration of chondrocytes within herniated discs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan. Electronic address: kosuka@aichi-med-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Osuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy II, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuteru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Usuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aoyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamahata
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
authors.forename: Mikinobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
authors.forename: Muneyoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Aichi Medical University, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takayasu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000378:metabolism*; D053613:Janus Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010766:Phosphorylation; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; C106644:SOCS3 protein, human; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494086:STAT3 protein, human; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins; D053613:Janus Kinase 1
keywords: Herniated disk; Janus kinase; Signal transducer and activator of transcription; Suppressor of cytokine signaling