Cryptotanshinone attenuates lactate-induced nucleus pulposus cells injury by modulating the STAT3/SIRT3 signaling axis.

Introduction: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) stands out as one of the prevalent root causes of low back pain (LBP). In degenerated discs, the dysregulation of glucose metabolism and the impairment of nutrient transport result in the accumulation of lactate, which exacerbates oxidative stress in the microenvironment of the intervertebral disk thereby inducing senescence, apoptosis and metabolic imbalance of the extracellular matrix in the nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). In this context, elucidating the precise pathogenesis of disc degeneration and advancing the development of targeted molecular therapies hold significant therapeutic implications for future medical interventions.

Role of the hedgehog pathway in the formation, maintenance, and degeneration of intervertebral disc.

Low back pain (LBP), one of the most common health problems, is the leading cause of disability globally. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) accounts for most LBP. However, the molecular mechanism underlying IDD remains unclear, and the existing treatment strategy for IDD is still limited.

Ciliary IFT88 inhibits intervertebral disc degeneration under excessive mechanical stress by regulating endplate cartilage calcification.

Introduction: Endplate cartilage is crucial for nutrient transport to intervertebral disc (IVD), and its calcification due to abnormal mechanical stress significantly contributes to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Primary cilia, which sense mechanical stimuli, are key to this process. Intraflagellar Transport 88 (IFT88) regulates endplate calcification under mechanical stress, but its specific mechanisms remain inadequately characterized.

Oxygen-controllable injectable hydrogel alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration by balancing extracellular matrix metabolism.

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, situated at the core of intervertebral discs, have acclimated to a hypoxic environment, orchestrating the equilibrium of extracellular matrix metabolism (ECM) under the regulatory influence of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Neovascularization and increased oxygen content pose a threat, triggering ECM degradation and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). To address this, our study devised an oxygen-controllable strategy, introducing laccase into an injectable and ultrasound-responsive gelatin/agarose hydrogel.