Single-cell RNA-seq analysis reveals that immune cells induce human nucleus pulposus ossification and degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Determining the transcriptomes and molecular mechanism underlying human degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) is of critical importance for treating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Here, we aimed to elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of NP ossification and IDD using single-cell RNA sequencing.

Methods

Single-cell RNA-seq and bioinformatic analysis were performed to identify NP cell populations with gene signatures, biological processes and pathways, and subpopulation analysis, RNA velocity analysis, and cell-to-cell communication analysis were performed in four IDD patients. We also verified the effects of immune cells on NP ossification using cultured NP cells and a well-established rat IDD model.

Results

We identified five cell popul

SUBMITTER: Guo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10449260 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature