Loss of function mutation in Ank causes aberrant mineralization and acquisition of osteoblast-like-phenotype by the cells of the intervertebral disc.

ABSTRACT: Pathological mineralization of intervertebral disc is debilitating and painful and linked to disc degeneration in a subset of human patients. An adenosine triphosphate efflux transporter, progressive ankylosis (ANK) is a regulator of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate levels and plays an important role in tissue mineralization. However, the function of ANK in intervertebral disc has not been fully explored. Herein we analyzed the spinal phenotype of Ank mutant mice (ank/ank) with attenuated ANK function. Micro-computed tomography and histological analysis showed that loss of ANK function results in the aberrant annulus fibrosus mineralization and peripheral disc fusions with cranial to caudal progression in the spine. Vertebrae in ank mice exhibit elevated cortical bone mass and increas

SUBMITTER: Ohnishi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10356955 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature