The Mechanisms and Functions of GDF-5 in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is widely recognized as the main cause of low back pain, which leads to disability in aging populations and induces great losses both socially and economically worldwide. Unfortunately, current treatments for IDD are aimed at relieving symptoms instead of preserving disc structure and function. Researchers are forged to find new promising biological therapeutics to stop, and even reverse, IVD degeneration. Recently, the injection of growth factors has been shown to be a promising biological therapy for IDD. A number of growth factors have been investigated to modulate the synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) through a variety of pathogenetic biological mechanisms, including suppressing inflammatory process and down-regulating degrading enzymes.

SUBMITTER: Guo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8126946 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature