TGF-β Initiates β-Catenin-Mediated CTGF Secretory Pathway in Old Bovine Nucleus Pulposus Cells: A Potential Mechanism for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: We have recently demonstrated that overexpression of Smurf2 under the control of type II collagen alpha 1 (Col2a1) promoter induces an intervertebral disc degeneration phenotype in Col2a1-Smurf2 transgenic mice. The chondrocyte-like cells that express type II collagen and Smurf2 in the transgenic mouse discs are prone to degenerate. However, how the chondrocyte-like cells contribute to disc degeneration is not known. Here, we utilized primary old bovine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells as substitutes for the chondrocyte-like cells in Col2a1-Smurf2 transgenic mouse discs to identify mechanism. We found that 35% of the cells were senescent; TGF-β treatment of the cells induced a rapid moderate accumulation of β-catenin, which interacted with connective tissue growth factor (C

SUBMITTER: Wu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6383704 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature