Article
Cell Biology
Chenghao Ren, Jie Jin, Chenchao Li, Jianwei Xiang, Yaosen Wu, Yifei Zhou, Liaojun Sun, Xiaolei Zhang, Naifeng Tian
Summary: This study found that metformin inhibits senescence in nucleus pulposus cells by inactivating the cGAS-STING pathway through autophagy. The research also revealed that metformin reduces DNA damage during oxidative stress. These findings suggest a new application for metformin in cGAS-STING pathway-related diseases.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Olivia K. Ottone, Cheeho Kim, John A. Collins, Makarand V. Risbud
Summary: This study assessed the role of the STING pathway in promoting SASP and found that it is not a major contributor to SASP induction and disc aging and degeneration. However, it may play a minor role in the maintenance of trabecular bone in the vertebrae.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhiqian Chen, Xiao Yang, Yifan Zhou, Zhihao Liang, Chen Chen, Chen Han, Xiankun Cao, Wenxin He, Kai Zhang, An Qin, Tangjun Zhou, Jie Zhao
Summary: DHE attenuates TNF-alpha-induced ECM degradation and cellular senescence in NPC cells, partially through inhibiting the activation of NF-kappa B and MAPK inflammatory signaling pathways. The therapeutic effect of DHE on IDD progression is demonstrated in a mouse spinal instability model, suggesting its potential as a treatment for IDD.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yu Chen, Chenyu Wu, Xiaoying Zhao, Hongye Tan, Chenchao Li, Yuxin Deng, Ximiao Chen, Yaosen Wu, Naifeng Tian, Xiaolei Zhang, Yifei Zhou, Liaojun Sun
Summary: This study found that the drug 20-Deoxyingenol (20-DOI) can enhance the autophagy-lysosomal pathway in nucleus pulposus cells by activating transcription factor EB (TFEB), thereby suppressing cell senescence and impeding the progression of IVDD.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Chenglong Xie, Yifeng Shi, Zuoxi Chen, Xin Zhou, Peng Luo, Chenxuan Hong, Naifeng Tian, Yaosen Wu, Yifei Zhou, Yan Lin, Haicheng Dou, Aimin Wu, Qishan Huang, Xiaolei Zhang, Xiangyang Wang
Summary: This study explored the effects of apigenin on intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and found that it has a protective role in NP cells. It was found that apigenin can inhibit apoptosis, senescence, and ECM degradation, and also restore the blockage of autophagic flux. Mechanistically, apigenin promotes the nuclear translocation of TFEB via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway to alleviate autophagy dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Qihang Su, Qiuchen Cai, Yongchao Li, Hengan Ge, Yuanzhen Zhang, Yi Zhang, Jun Tan, Jie Li, Biao Cheng, Yan Zhang
Summary: In this study, a new rat model of vertebral inflammation-induced caudal intervertebral disc degeneration (VI-IVDD) was described, which achieved controllable segment and speed degeneration without damaging the IVD structure. Various experimental groups were set to study the effects of LPS injection, and results showed significant changes in intervertebral space height, MRI T2 signal intensity, histological stainings, immunohistochemistry analysis, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, M1 macrophage infiltration, apoptosis ratio, and activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway in relation to IVDD progression.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rongjin Luo, Huaizhen Liang, Weifeng Zhang, Gaocai Li, Kangcheng Zhao, Wenbin Hua, Yu Song, Cao Yang
Summary: The study demonstrates that RETREG1-mediated ER-phagy plays a protective role in response to glucose deprivation treatment, with ER stress being suggested as an upstream event of ER-phagy. By modulating ER stress, ER-phagy can protect human nucleus pulposus cells against cell injury induced by GD treatment.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2022)
Review
Pathology
Rui Ran, Hai-yang Liao, Zhi-qiang Wang, Chao-yang Gong, Kai-sheng Zhou, Hai-hong Zhang
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a crucial pathological process in the development of low back pain, and the changes in the life process of nucleus pulposus cells play a major role. Long noncoding RNAs have emerged as important regulators in IDD, influencing cellular signaling pathways and cellular activities. Understanding lncRNAs can aid in discovering new therapeutic targets and treatment strategies for IDD.
PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Bolin Chen, Runjiu Zhu, Hao Hu, Mingbin Zhan, Tingxuan Wang, Fangli Huang, Fuxin Wei, Yu Chai, Zemin Ling, Xuenong Zou
Summary: Senolytics selectively eliminate senescent cells and ameliorate senescence-associated diseases. These drugs have been shown to rejuvenate various cell types in different human organs by clearing senescent cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Fudong Li, Xiaofei Sun, Bing Zheng, Kaiqiang Sun, Jian Zhu, Chenglong Ji, Feng Lin, Le Huan, Xi Luo, Chen Yan, Jiashun Xu, Yun Hong, Yuan Wang, Ximing Xu, Jingchuan Sun, Zheming Song, Fanqi Kong, Jiangang Shi
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major cause of low back pain (LBP), with oxidative stress and inflammation-induced senescence and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) being the main cellular processes. ARG2 deficiency may prevent IDD by inhibiting the dyshomeostasis of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the oxidative stress and inflammatory response-induced senescence and apoptosis via NF-kappa B.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Marcus Raudner, Markus M. Schreiner, Tom Hilbert, Tobias Kober, Michael Weber, Anna Szelenyi, Reinhard Windhager, Vladimir Juras, Siegfried Trattnig
Summary: The study evaluated GRAPPATINI, an accelerated T-2 mapping sequence that combines undersampling and model-based reconstruction to facilitate clinical implementation of T-2 mapping of the lumbar intervertebral disc. Results showed that T2 values obtained using GRAPPATINI were significantly different for normal discs compared to bulging or herniated discs, as well as discs with and without annular tears. The study concluded that GRAPPATINI can be used as a quantitative imaging biomarker to detect disc pathologies while significantly reducing acquisition time.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chao Song, Yan Zhou, Kang Cheng, Fei Liu, Weiye Cai, Daqian Zhou, Rui Chen, Houyin Shi, Zhijiang Fu, Jingwen Chen, Zongchao Liu
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a chronic condition that causes significant discomfort to patients and economic burden on society. Understanding the pathophysiology of IVDD is crucial, and recent research has shown that cellular senescence, particularly in nucleus pulposus cells, may play a significant role.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhenxuan Shao, Libin Ni, Sunli Hu, Tianzhen Xu, Zaher Meftah, Zupo Yu, Naifeng Tian, Yaosen Wu, Liaojun Sun, Aimin Wu, Zongyou Pan, Linwei Chen, Weiyang Gao, Yifei Zhou, Xiaolei Zhang, Xiangyang Wang
Summary: This study suggests that HuR may suppress senescence through autophagy activation via stabilizing Atg7 in diabetic NP cells. Overexpression of Atg7, but not HuR, may serve as a potential therapeutic target for DB-IVDD.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hai-Jun Zhang, Hai-Yang Liao, Deng-Yan Bai, Zhi-Qiang Wang, Xing-Wen Xie
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a chronic skeletal muscle degenerative disease that is considered the main cause of low back pain. It is mainly caused by aging, trauma, genetic susceptibility, and other factors. Current treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms rather than targeting pathological changes in the intervertebral discs.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Xiao-Hu Wang, Jia-Wei Gao, Jun-Ping Bao, Lei Zhu, Zhi-Yang Xie, Lu Chen, Xin Peng, Cong Zhang, Xiao-Tao Wu
Summary: This study found that GATA4 promotes senescence in nucleus pulposus cells and is involved in the regulation through the NF-KB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that GATA4 may be a potential target for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration in the future.
ARCHIVES OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Libin Ni, Jian Xiao, Di Zhang, Zhenxuan Shao, Chongan Huang, Sheng Wang, Yaosen Wu, Naifeng Tian, Liaojun Sun, Aimin Wu, Yifei Zhou, Xiangyang Wang, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates the involvement of Irg-1 and itaconate in the recovery process of spinal cord injury (SCI). The overexpression of Irg-1 and treatment with itaconate show promising effects in suppressing inflammation and improving motor function recovery in SCI.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Ben Wang, Jie Jin, Zhen-xuan Shao, Guang-yong Yang, Yan Lin, Hua-zi Xu, Cheng-long Xie, Jiao-xiang Chen, Xiao-lei Zhang, Zheng-hua Hong, Xiang-yang Wang
Summary: This study investigated a modified axial translaminar screw fixation for treating odontoid fractures, with accurate screw placement and simple operation being highlighted as key benefits. The surgical technique involved creating a small cortical window for visualized screw insertion, leading to successful outcomes and high patient satisfaction.
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zengjie Zhang, Xiaolei Zhang, Chenggui Wang, Wangsiyuan Teng, Hongyuan Xing, Fangqian Wang, Eloy Yinwang, Hangxiang Sun, Yan Wu, Chengcheng Yu, Xupeng Chai, Zhiyong Qian, Xiaohua Yu, Zhaoming Ye, Xiangyang Wang
Summary: Persistent inflammation during the secondary injury of spinal cord injury is identified as the main cause of poor regenerative capability of spinal cord. Extracellular vesicles derived from M2 microglia have shown therapeutic potential for inflammation alleviation and neural regeneration. However, their applications in spinal cord injury treatment are limited due to issues such as poor accumulation, short retention, and lack of controlled release. Therefore, a novel thermosensitive hydrogel system was developed to deliver M2 derived extracellular vesicles for spinal cord injury treatment. The hydrogel enabled effective retention and controlled release of the vesicles, resulting in improved motor nerve functional recovery. Mechanistic study revealed that the sustained release of the vesicles attenuated local inflammation and inhibited neuron apoptosis, thus protecting the spinal cord. This approach provides a microenvironment-responsive and noninvasive method to improve spinal cord injury therapy through both anti-inflammatory and neural protective mechanisms.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yifeng Shi, Jiaoxiang Chen, Sunlong Li, Yuhao Wu, Caiyu Yu, LiBin Ni, Jian Xiao, Zhenxuan Shao, Huanqing Zhu, Jianshun Wang, Xiangyang Wang, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: Tangeretin, a natural flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties, has been found to inhibit inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, effectively preventing the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). These effects are mediated through the Nrf2/NF-kappa B and MAPK/NF-kappa B pathways.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yuhao Wu, Shiwei Shen, Yifeng Shi, Naifeng Tian, Yifei Zhou, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: In this article, the involvement of senescence in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is reviewed, and the potential of senolytics in eliminating senescent disc cells and alleviating IVDD is discussed. A table listing potential drugs for IVDD therapy is also provided.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Chenghao Ren, Jie Jin, Chenchao Li, Jianwei Xiang, Yaosen Wu, Yifei Zhou, Liaojun Sun, Xiaolei Zhang, Naifeng Tian
Summary: This study found that metformin inhibits senescence in nucleus pulposus cells by inactivating the cGAS-STING pathway through autophagy. The research also revealed that metformin reduces DNA damage during oxidative stress. These findings suggest a new application for metformin in cGAS-STING pathway-related diseases.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Longfa Kou, Huirong Huang, Yingying Tang, Meng Sun, Yingtao Li, Jianing Wu, Shimin Zheng, Xinyu Zhao, Daosen Chen, Zucheng Luo, Xiaolei Zhang, Qing Yao, Ruijie Chen
Summary: This study proposes a novel strategy for drug delivery and treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) by using opsonized nanoparticles to attract and regulate macrophage polarization. The opsonized nanoparticles effectively promoted macrophage polarization toward the anti-inflammatory phenotype and protected nearby chondrocytes, resulting in enhanced therapeutic outcomes for OA.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sunlong Li, Yifeng Shi, Shuhao Zhang, Haobin Li, Ziyang Ye, Jiangqian Kong, Weijun Hong, Yiting Tu, Jiaping Ren, Zaher Meftah, Chenglong Xie, Xiangyang Wang, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: The study found that corynoline (COR) can inhibit joint destruction and inflammation by modulating the NF-kappa B pathway and binding to Nrf2. Evaluation of the therapeutic effects of COR on osteoarthritis in the destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM) models showed improvement in the progression of osteoarthritis.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Shiyao Liao, Qiangqiang Zheng, Haotian Shen, Guang Yang, Yuzi Xu, Xiaolei Zhang, Hongwei Ouyang, Zongyou Pan
Summary: HECTD1 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis by regulating chondrocyte autophagy through ubiquitinating and targeting Rubicon for proteasomal degradation. This finding reveals the importance of HECTD1 in the development of osteoarthritis.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
S. Li, X. Pan, Y. Wu, Y. Tu, W. Hong, J. Ren, J. Miao, T. Wang, W. Xia, J. Lu, J. Chen, X. Hu, Y. Lin, X. Zhang, X. Wang
Summary: In this study, the protective effect of Interleukin-37 (IL-37) on intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) was evaluated. IL-37 was found to decrease during the IDD process and the experimental results showed that IL-37 can suppress the SASP factors level and senescence phenotype in IL-1b treated cells. Animal experiments also demonstrated that IL-37 can alleviate IDD progression in a puncture-induced rat model. Mechanistic studies revealed that IL-37 inhibits IDD progression by downregulating the activation of the NF-kB pathway through the activation of IL-1R8.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Weiyi Xia, Jian Xiao, ChengLin Tong, Jiajie Lu, Yurong Tu, Sunlong Li, Libing Ni, Yifeng Shi, Peng Luo, Xiaolei Zhang, Xiangyang Wang
Summary: The effects of Orientin on murine chondrocytes treated with IL-1 beta were evaluated in vitro, and the healing effect of Orientin was assessed in a standard OA model in mice. Results showed that Orientin suppressed pro-inflammatory mediators and cartilage degradation, and downregulated activation of NF-kappa B by activating Nrf2/HO-1 axis and SIRT6 signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a treatment for OA.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Cheng Teng, Jingtao Wu, Zhao Zhang, Jinquan Wang, Ye Yang, Chengji Dong, Long Wu, Zhen Lin, Yuezheng Hu, Jing Wang, Xiaolei Zhang, Zhongke Lin
Summary: This study investigated the effect of fucoxanthin (FX) on oxidative stress-induced nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis and its molecular mechanism. The results showed that FX could reduce apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation by regulating the Sirt1 and PERK-eIF2 alpha-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathways. In vivo experiments demonstrated that FX improved intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). These findings suggest that FX may be a potential drug for the treatment of IDD.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yu Chen, Chenyu Wu, Xiaoying Zhao, Hongye Tan, Chenchao Li, Yuxin Deng, Ximiao Chen, Yaosen Wu, Naifeng Tian, Xiaolei Zhang, Yifei Zhou, Liaojun Sun
Summary: This study found that the drug 20-Deoxyingenol (20-DOI) can enhance the autophagy-lysosomal pathway in nucleus pulposus cells by activating transcription factor EB (TFEB), thereby suppressing cell senescence and impeding the progression of IVDD.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenxian Zhou, Yifeng Shi, Hui Wang, Linjie Chen, Caiyu Yu, Xufei Zhang, Lei Yang, Xiaolei Zhang, Aimin Wu
Summary: A study has found that physical exercise promotes the expression of a protein called irisin, which protects against intervertebral disc degeneration. This discovery suggests that increasing the activity of irisin through either exercise or drugs could help alleviate back pain and slow down the progression of the disease.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sunlong Li, Chongan Huang, Jian Xiao, Yuhao Wu, Zengjie Zhang, Yifei Zhou, Naifeng Tian, Yaosen Wu, Xiangyang Wang, Xiaolei Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the changes in plasma cytokine levels in diabetic patients and discusses the potential role of elevated cytokines in diabetes-induced IVDD.