The Mechanism of Inflammatory Cytokines and Its Relevant Pathways in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
LUO Linzhao1#, LIU Yandong2#, ZHANG Yanjun1*, LI Jiaming1, TAN Sheng2
IVDD (intervertebral disc degeneration) is a common spinal disease, and its pathogenesis is cur rently not fully understood. Inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and inflammatory chemokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 can promote apoptosis and degradation of nucleus pulposus cells in degenerated intervertebral discs, leading to IVDD. In addition, inflammatory cytokines can also stimulate chondrocyte endplate cells to produce a series of inflammatory mediators, triggering an inflammatory response. In terms of signaling pathways, NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways have been found to play key roles in the IVDD process, regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines and participating in the regulation of the survival and metabolism of annulus fibrosus cells. Therefore, interventions targeting inflammatory cytokines and their related signaling pathways may become a new approach for treating IVDD. In summary, inflammatory cytokines and related signaling pathways play an important role in IVDD, and in-depth research on them will help to find new methods for treating IVDD. This review aims to explore the role of inflammatory cytokines in IVDD and the regu latory mechanisms of related signaling pathways, and systematically summarize the intervention measures based on inflammatory response in IVDD.
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