A single injection of rhGDF-5 has a reparative capacity on intervertebral discs, presumably based on its effects to enhance extracellular matrix production in vitro.
Aggrecanases are involved in aggrecanolysis at both the early and advanced stages of disc degeneration. The aggrecan fragmentation profile analysis demonstrates the involvement of aggrecanases, as well as that of matrix metalloproteinases and/or cathepsins, during disc degeneration.
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