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Expression of HSPA8 in Nucleus Pulposus of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc and Its Effect on Degree of Degeneration

Advances in Therapy volume 37, pages 390–401 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the expression of a 70-kDa heat shock protein [heat shock 70-kDa protein 8 (HSPA8)/heat shock protein 70 (Hsc70)] in human degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs and its relationship with the degree of degeneration of human intervertebral discs.

Methods

A total of 72 cases of lumbar intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus tissues were collected. Among these, 18 cases of nucleus pulposus tissue were assigned to the control group, while 54 cases of nucleus pulposus tissues were assigned to the experimental group. According to the preoperative MRI, cases in the experimental group were further divided into three groups: protrusion group (n = 18), extrusion group (n = 18), and sequestration group (n = 18). Western blot was performed to determine the relative expression of HSPA8 in the nucleus pulposus in each group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to determine the number of nucleus pulposus cells, morphological differences, and cell densities of the degenerated intervertebral discs and normal intervertebral discs. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression of HSPA8 in nucleus pulposus tissues in each group.

Results

Hematoxylin and eosin staining results: There were significant differences in cell morphology and number between the control group and the experimental group. Furthermore, there were significant differences in cell density (F = 936.80, P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry results: HSPA8 was expressed in lumbar intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus tissues, and its expression of gradually decreased with the severity of the disease, and the differences were significant (F = 2110.43, P < 0.01). Western blot results: The expression of HSPA8 in human degenerative nucleus pulposus tissues gradually decreased, and the differences were significant (F = 1841.72, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

HSPA8 is stably expressed in human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus tissues, and its expression is associated with the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration.

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Acknowledgements

Funding

This study was sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China: Project approval number: 81371998. The Rapid Service Fee was funded by the authors.

Authorship

All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this article, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given their approval for this version to be published.

Disclosures

Yong Liu. Hua-Cong Wang, Hong-Fei Xiang, Cang-Hai Jin and Bo-Hua Chen have nothing to disclose.

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. This study was conducted with approval from the Ethics Committee of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Street, Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Yong Liu, Hua-Cong Wang, Hong-Fei Xiang & Bo-Hua Chen

  2. Department of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, East Branch, Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Cang-Hai Jin

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  1. Yong Liu
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Correspondence to Bo-Hua Chen.

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Liu, Y., Wang, HC., Xiang, HF. et al. Expression of HSPA8 in Nucleus Pulposus of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc and Its Effect on Degree of Degeneration. Adv Ther 37, 390–401 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-019-01136-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-019-01136-9

Keywords

  • Hematoxylin
  • HSC70 heat shock proteins
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intervertebral disc degeneration
  • Rheumatology
  • Western blotting