Nonviral overexpression of Scleraxis or Mohawk drives reprogramming of degenerate human annulus fibrosus cells from a diseased to a healthy phenotype.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a major contributor to low back pain (LBP), yet there are no clinical therapies targeting the underlying pathology. The annulus fibrosus (AF) plays a critical role in maintaining IVD structure/function and undergoes degenerative changes such as matrix catabolism and inflammation. Thus, therapies targeting the AF are crucial to fully restore IVD function. Previously, we have shown nonviral delivery of transcription factors to push diseased nucleus pulposus cells to a healthy phenotype. As a next step in a proof-of-concept study, we report the use of Scleraxis (SCX) and Mohawk (MKX), which are critical for the development, maintenance, and regeneration of the AF and may have therapeutic potential to induce a healthy,

SUBMITTER: Tang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10540831 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature