High mobility group box-1 induces pro-inflammatory signaling in human nucleus pulposus cells via toll-like receptor 4-dependent pathway.

ABSTRACT: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (DD) is associated with low back pain, the leading cause of disability worldwide. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that contribute to inflammation and trigger DD have not been well characterized. Extracellular high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein has been implicated as a potent DAMP and pro-inflammatory stimulus in the immune system. In this study, we show that HMGB1 and IL-6 levels increase in patients with advanced DD in comparison to early DD. This study further tested the hypothesis that HMGB1 promotes inflammatory signaling driving DD in human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and tissue. Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis confirmed the expression of HMGB1 and its extracellular release by NP cells under cell stress. Gene expr

SUBMITTER: Shah BS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7401857 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature