English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

A growing body of evidence in humans and animal models indicates an association between intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and increased fibrotic elements in the nucleus pulposus (NP). These include enhanced matrix turnover along with the abnormal deposition of collagens and other fibrous matrices, the emergence of fibrosis effector cells, such as macrophages and active fibroblasts, and the upregulation of the fibroinflammatory factors TGF-β1 and IL-1/-13. Studies have suggested a role for NP cells in fibroblastic differentiation through the TGF-βR1-Smad2/3 pathway, inflammatory activation and mechanosensing machineries. Moreover, NP fibrosis is linked to abnormal MMP activity, consistent with the role of matrix proteases in regulating tissue fibrosis. MMP-2 and MMP-12 are the two main profibrogenic markers of myofibroblastic NP cells. This review revisits studies in the literature relevant to NP fibrosis in an attempt to stratify its biochemical features and the molecular identity of fibroblastic cells in the context of IDD. Given the role of fibrosis in tissue healing and diseases, the perspective may provide new insights into the pathomechanism of IDD and its management.

Current Perspectives on Nucleus Pulposus Fibrosis in Disc Degeneration and Repair