Absence of VEGFR-1/Flt-1 signaling pathway in mice results in insensitivity to discogenic low back pain in an established disc injury mouse model.

ABSTRACT: Although degenerative disc disease (DDD) and related low back pain (LBP) are growing public health problems, the underlying disease mechanisms remain unclear. An increase in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in DDD has been reported. This study aimed to examine the role of VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) in DDD, using a mouse model of DDD. Progressive DDD was induced by anterior stabbing of lumbar intervertebral discs in wild type (WT) and VEGFR-1 tyrosine-kinase deficient mice (vegfr-1^TK-/- ). Pain assessments were performed weekly for 12 weeks. Histological and immunohistochemical assessments were made for discs, dorsal root ganglions, and spinal cord. Both vegfr-1^TK-/- and WT mice presented with similar pathological changes in discs with an increased exp

SUBMITTER: Qiu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9782756 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature