On the basis of the available evidence to date, GDF-5 may hold promise as a possible therapeutic agent for applications involving tendon/ligament repair as well as perhaps intervertebral disk degeneration, cartilage repair, and bone augmentation, although further detailed interventional studies will be required to investigate these potential applications.
To study the role of the interleukin-1 beta gene (IL1B) and the IL-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL1RN) in relation to the occurrence of radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) in the hip, knee, and hand and disc degeneration of the spine.
Since it is known that TGF-beta1 induces matrix alterations (by auto and paracrine stimulation of matrix synthesis), these observations suggest that the recently described disturbance of the matrix during disc degeneration may be induced by TGF-beta.
In herniated lumbar disc tissue, increased apoptosis and a high expression of Fas and Fas ligand and caspase-3 activity have already been reported, suggesting a pivotal role of apoptotic mechanisms in intervertebral disc degeneration.
To determine the expression of ADAMTS-4, a metalloproteinase capable of digesting aggrecan, and its role in herniated lumbar intervertebral disc degradation.
This in vitro study has shown that the use of ex vivo gene transfer to degenerate disc tissue is a feasible therapy for the inhibition of IL-1-mediated events during disc degeneration.
Using logistic regression analysis and adjusting for age and sex, the t allele of Taq I in vitamin D receptor gene was significantly associated with degenerative disc disease, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-5.90, P = 0.041).
This in vitro study has shown that the use of ex vivo gene transfer to degenerate disc tissue is a feasible therapy for the inhibition of IL-1-mediated events during disc degeneration.
To determine the expression of ADAMTS-4, a metalloproteinase capable of digesting aggrecan, and its role in herniated lumbar intervertebral disc degradation.
To determine the expression of ADAMTS-4, a metalloproteinase capable of digesting aggrecan, and its role in herniated lumbar intervertebral disc degradation.
Genetic studies have demonstrated that a polymorphism (Trp2 allele) in COL9A2 coding for alpha2 chain of collagen IX predisposes the individual to disc degeneration.