Dataset Information

Clinical implications of linking microstructure, spatial biochemical, spatial biomechanical, and radiological features in ligamentum flavum degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ligamentum flavum (LF) degeneration is a critical factor in spinal stenosis, leading to nerve compression and pain. Even with new treatment options becoming available, it is vital to have a better understanding of LF degeneration to ensure the effectiveness of these treatments.

Objective

This study aimed to provide insight into LF degeneration by examining the connections between various aspects of LF degeneration, including histology, microstructure, chemical composition, and biomechanics.

Method

We analyzed 30 LF samples from 27 patients with lumbar vertebrae, employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to link lumbar disc degeneration grades with fibrosis levels in the tissue. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis assessed microstructural alterations in the LF matrix component due to degeneration progression. Instrumented nanoindentation combined with Raman spectroscopy explored the spatial microbiomechanical and biochemical characteristics of the LF's ventral and dorsal regions.

Results

Our outcomes revealed a clear association between the severity of LF fibrosis grades and increasing LF thickness. XRD analysis showed a rise in crystalline components and hydroxyapatite molecules with progressing degeneration. Raman spectroscopy detected changes in the ratio of phosphate, proteoglycan, and proline/hydroxyproline over the amide I band, indicating alterations in the extracellular matrix composition. Biomechanical testing demonstrated that LF tissue becomes stiffer and less extensible with increasing fibrosis.

Discussion

Notably, the micro-spatial assessment revealed the dorsal side of the LF experiencing more significant mechanical stress, alongside more pronounced biochemical and biomechanical changes compared to the ventral side. Degeneration of the LF involves complex processes that affect tissue histology, chemical composition, and biomechanics. It is crucial to fully understand these changes to develop new and effective treatments for spinal stenosis. These findings can improve diagnostic accuracy, identify potential biomarkers and treatment targets, guide personalized treatment strategies, advance tissue engineering approaches, help make informed clinical decisions, and educate patients about LF degeneration.

SUBMITTER: Azril A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11310575 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Clinical implications of linking microstructure, spatial biochemical, spatial biomechanical, and radiological features in ligamentum flavum degeneration.

Azril Azril A Huang Kuo-Yuan KY Liu Hsin-Yi HY Liao Wei-An WA Liu Wen-Lung WL Hobley Jonathan J Jeng Yeau-Ren YR

JOR spine 20240809 3

<h4>Background</h4>The ligamentum flavum (LF) degeneration is a critical factor in spinal stenosis, leading to nerve compression and pain. Even with new treatment options becoming available, it is vital to have a better understanding of LF degeneration to ensure the effectiveness of these treatments.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to provide insight into LF degeneration by examining the connections between various aspects of LF degeneration, including histology, microstructure, chemical compo ...[more]

PMID: 39132509

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Project description:Chronic inflammation and subsequent fibrosis induced by mechanical stress play an important role in ligamentum flavum (LF) hypertrophy and degeneration in patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) is a chronic inflammatory mediator induced under various pathological conditions and increases the expression of TGF-β1, which is a well-characterized mediator in LF hypertrophy. We investigated whether Angptl2 is induced by mechanical stress, and whether it contributes to LF hypertrophy and degeneration by activating the TGF-β1 signaling cascade. In this study, we investigated human LF tissue and LF fibroblasts isolated from patients who underwent lumbar surgery. We found that Angptl2 was abundantly expressed in fibroblasts of hypertrophied LF tissues at both the mRNA and protein levels. This expression was not only positively correlated with LF thickness and degeneration but also positively correlated with lumbar segmental motion. Our in vitro experiments with fibroblasts from hypertrophied LF tissue revealed that mechanical stretching stress increases the expression and secretion of Angptl2 via activation of calcineurin/NFAT pathways. In hypertrophied LF tissue, expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was also increased and TGF-β1/Smad signaling was activated. Angptl2 expression in LF tissue was positively correlated with the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA, suggesting cooperation between Angptl2 and TGF-β1 in the pathogenesis of LF hypertrophy. In vitro experiments revealed that Angptl2 increased levels of TGF-β1 and its receptors, and also activated TGF-β1/Smad signaling. Mechanical stretching stress increased TGF-β1 mRNA expression, which was partially attenuated by treatment with a calcineurin/NFAT inhibitor or Angptl2 siRNA, indicating that induction of TGF-β1 expression by mechanical stretching stress is partially mediated by Angptl2. We conclude that expression of Angptl2 induced by mechanical stress in LF fibroblasts promotes LF tissue degeneration by activation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling, which results in LF hypertrophy in patients with LSCS.

Project description:The present study aimed to screen crucial micro (mi)RNAs and long non‑coding (lnc)RNAs involved in the development of ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) based on the miRNA‑mRNA and lncRNA‑miRNA‑mRNA competing endogenous (ce)RNA regulatory network analyses, which are rarely reported. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between 4 OLF and 4 healthy controls were identified using two microarray datasets GSE106253 and GSE106256 collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, followed by calculation of topological characteristics and sub‑module analysis in order to obtain hub DEGs. The miRNA‑mRNA and lncRNA‑miRNA networks that were established based on their interaction pairs, obtained from miRwalk and starBase databases, respectively, were integrated to form the ceRNA network. The underlying functions of mRNAs were predicted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The present study screened 828 DEGs, 119 DELs and 81 DEMs between OLF and controls. PPI network and module analyses identified interleukin (IL)10, adenylate cyclase (ADCY)5, suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)3, G protein subunit gamma (GNG) 4, collagen type II α 1 chain (COL2A1) and collagen type XIII α 1 chain (COL13A1) as hub genes. The miRNA‑mRNA network analysis demonstrated IL10 could be regulated by miR‑210‑3p, while COL13A1 and COL2A1 could be modulated by miR‑329‑3p and miR‑222‑5p, respectively. lncRNA‑miRNA‑mRNA ceRNA network analysis identified that small nucleolar RNA host gene 16‑hsa‑miR‑196a‑5p‑SOCS3, ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 16‑AS1‑hsa‑miR‑379‑5p‑GNG4, nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1‑has‑miR‑181b‑5p‑ADCY5, rhophilin 1‑AS1‑hsa‑miR‑299‑3p‑WNT7B interaction axes may be crucial. DAVID analysis predicted IL10, ADCY5, GNG4 and SOCS3 were involved in 'adaptive immune response', 'Chemokine signaling pathway' and 'regulation of apoptosis' processes, while COL2A1, COL13A1 and WNT7B may be ossification related. In conclusion, the identification of these crucial miRNAs and lncRNAs may be conducive for explaining the pathogenesis of OLF and provide certain natural, endogenous and nontoxic drug targets for the treatment of OLF.

Dataset Information

Clinical implications of linking microstructure, spatial biochemical, spatial biomechanical, and radiological features in ligamentum flavum degeneration.

Background

Objective

Method

Results

Discussion

Publications

Clinical implications of linking microstructure, spatial biochemical, spatial biomechanical, and radiological features in ligamentum flavum degeneration.

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