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Annulus cells from more degenerated human discs show modified gene expression in 3D culture compared with expression in cells from healthier discs

Periodical: Spine J ISBN: 1878-1632 (Electronic) 1529-9430 (Linking)  Number: 8  Date: 2010/07/24  Language: Eng  Pages: 721-727

Authors:Gruber, H. E., Hoelscher, G. L., Hanley, E. N., Jr.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Understanding gene expression patterns of disc cells in culture is important as we develop biologic therapies for disc degeneration. The objective of the present study was to determine if cells from more degenerated discs expressed different genes, or differed in their expression patterns, compared with patterns of cells from healthier discs. PURPOSE: To determine if annulus cells from more degenerated discs expressed different gene expression patterns compared with patterns of cells from healthier discs using genome-wide analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Cells from human annulus tissue were grown in three-dimensional (3D) culture and their gene expression patterns analyzed with Affymetrix microarray analysis. Gene expression patterns of cells from more degenerated discs (Thompson Grades IV and V) were compared with patterns from cells from healthier discs (Thompson Grades I, II, and III). METHODS: After approval by our human subjects institutional review board, annulus cells were obtained from lumbar discs of seven subjects with Thompson Grades I, II, or III and from five subjects with discs of Thompson Grades IV and V. Cells were grown in 3D culture for 2 weeks; 3D cultures were used because this microenvironment more closely mimics the in vivo condition. mRNA was harvested, processed for Affymetrix genome-wide gene analysis, and data analyzed with p values adjusted so as to compensate for false discovery rates. RESULTS: GeneSifter analyses showed that cells from more degenerated discs had 320 genes significantly upregulated, and 104 genes significantly downregulated compared with cells from healthier discs. Important genes included those related to: 1) the extracellular matrix (ECM) (keratin-associated protein 1-1, hyaluronan synthase 2, and nexin were upregulated; biglycan, collagen type VI alpha 2, thrombospondin 3, laminen alpha 1, fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 1, elastin microfibril interfacer 2, fibulin 2, and nidogen 1 and 2 were

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CellLine: Primary-hIDAnnulusC
  Morphology: Annulus Fibrosus Cell
  Origin: Intervertebral Disc
  Species: Human