Calcium Phosphate Cement Causes Nucleus Pulposus Cell Degeneration Through the ERK Signaling Pathway

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>While calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is recognized as one of the most likely substitutes for the conventional Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), there are very few studies about its intradiscal leakage consequences. Herein, the goal of our study was to examine the effect of CPC particles on the ERK (extracellular regulatory kinase) pathway in human nucleus pulposus cell (HNPC) degeneration. Different concentrations of CPC particles (0.00‰, 0.01‰, 0.05‰, 0.1‰ v/v) were added to human nucleus pulposus cell cultures. After 10 days of treatment, HNPC biological behaviors and degeneration degree were analyzed by CCK-8 assay, crystal violet staining, flow cytometer and western blot. The effect of CPC on the ERK pathway was also analyzed by western blot. After activating the ERK path by overexpressing Ras, HNPCs’ biological behaviors and degeneration degree were analyzed again. We found that CPC particles had a negative effect on human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs), which are mainly reflected in cell growth and the cell cycle. After activation of the ERK signaling pathway, the negative effects of CPC on cell growth and the cell cycle were significantly reduced and the degeneration degree of HNPCs was reversed. CPC particles can probably block the activation of the ERK pathway, thus causing the HNPCs’ degeneration.</jats:p>

Dynamics of CD44+ bovine nucleus pulposus cells with inflammation

“…Simultaneously, proteins implicated in mechanisms leading to genome instability (through the inhibition of damaged DNA replication) 36 , the activation of programmed cell death (due to BAD activation and or NADE modulation) 37 , 38 , the inhibition of the mitotic cycle (due to the inactivation of the Cyclin B:Cdk1 complex) 39 , and cell senescence induction (through the regulation of IGF uptake by IGFBPs) 40 were significantly downregulated. In accordance, there was a decrease in the production of proteins involved with ERKs inactivation and negative regulation of EGF signaling, pathways reported to affect NP cell proliferation and viability 41 – 43 . Deregulated pathways were also detected for the two CD44 cell fractions.…”

Resveratrol protects human nucleus pulposus cells from degeneration by blocking IL-6/JAK/STAT3 pathway

“…4800). The detailed methods of cell resuscitation were mentioned in our previous study [19]. Transfer the tube from the liquid nitrogen to a 37 ℃ water bath.…”