[MicroRNAs: a type of novel regulative factor for intervertebral disc degeneration].
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of major causes for intervertebral disc degenerative diseases, and patients with IDD usually suffer from serious low back pain. The current treatments for patients with IDD only relieve the clinical symptom rather than restore biological balance of IDD, leading to inadequate and unsatisfactory results. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules, which regulate the gene expression at the post-transcription levels. Research evidences support the involvement of miRNAs in many biological processes, such as lipid metabolism, apoptosis, differentiation and organ development. Accumulating evidences indicate that the expressions of miRNAs change significantly in degenerative tissues. In addition, dysregulated miRNAs contribute to multiple pathological process of IDD, including proliferation and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus and extracellular matrix components, inflammatory response and cartilage endplates degeneration. In this review article, we summarize the expression profiles and roles of miRNAs in IDD, which may provide a novel strategy of biological therapy for the disease.
Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; Department of Spine Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Cheng
C
Wang
Department of Spine Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Wenjun
W
Wang
Department of Spine Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Wei
W
Yang
Life Science Research Center, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Xiaohua
X
Yu
Department of Spine Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Yiguo
Y
Yan
Department of Hand and Micro-surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Jian
J
Zhang
Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China. zsjiang2005@163.com.
Zhisheng
Z
Jiang
D017209:Apoptosis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*
D035683:MicroRNAs