title: [Biology and mechanobiology of the intervertebral disc].
abstract: The intervertebral disc (IVD) is noted for its low cell content, and being the largest avascular structure of human body. The low amount of cells in the disc have to adapt to an anaerobic metabolism with low oxygen pressure and acidic pH. Apart from surviving in an adverse microenvironment, they are exposed to a high level of mechanical stress. The biological adaptation of cells to acidosis and hyperosmolarity conditions are regulated by mechanoproteins, which are responsible for converting a mechanical signal into a cellular response, thus modifying its gene expression. Mechanobiology helps us to better understand the pathophysiology of IVD and its potential biological repair.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurocirugía, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, León, España.
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González Martínez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biomedicina, Universidad de León, León, España. Electronic address: jcosamalon@smonica.com.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Cosamalón
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cosamalón-Gan
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esteban Blanco
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: García-Suarez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vega
mesh_terms: D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; D045726:Metalloproteases
keywords: Biología del disco intervertebral; Disco intervertebral; Intervertebral disc; Intervertebral disc biology; Intervertebral disc mechanobiology; Mecanobiología del disco intervertebral; Mecanoproteínas en el disco intervertebral; Mechanoproteins in the intervertebral disc