Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 inhibits human disc nucleus pulpous cells apoptosis induced by excessive hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ antioxidant response element (ARE) is a novel defensive pathway involved in the oxidative and chemical stress of cells. The aim of the study was to explore the role of Nrf2 on the apoptosis of human disc nucleus pulpous cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). METHODS The degeneration model of human intervertebral disc nucleus pulpous cells was established. The expression of Nrf2 was interfered with using sulforaphane (SFN); for that end, three groups were established: a blank group (H2O2-/SFN-), control group (H2O2+/SFN-), and an experimental group (H2O2+/SFN+). CCK8, Hoechst 33258 living cell staining was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) content. RESULTS The apoptotic rates of the three groups were [(0.40±0.46)%], [(25.98±11.28)%], and [(3.83±2.06)%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The relative content of ROS in the three groups was [(100±7)%], [(1538±91)%], and [(818±63)%]; the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). In Western blotting, Nrf2 content in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group. CONCLUSION Nrf2 exists in the nucleus pulpous cells of human intervertebral discs, which is related to the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. It has negative feedback regulation and can prevent the degeneration of the intervertebral disc by inhibiting the apoptosis of nucleus pulpous cells of human intervertebral discs caused by excessive ROS, which provides a new intervention strategy for the prevention and treatment of the degeneration of intervertebral discs.

Myricetin alleviated hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular senescence of nucleus pulposus cell through regulating SERPINE1

“…With the increase in HO dose, cell viability reduced gradually, and only 40% of NPCs was alive after treated with 500 μM HO. Generally, the concentration of HO caused ~ 50% of cell viability was used to induce apoptosis of NPCs [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Comprehensive analysis of senescence-related genes and immune infiltration in intervertebral disc degeneration: a meta-data approach utilizing bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data

“…The results of this study showed that the two groups of patients differed mainly in cellular response to chemical stress, extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway, activation of protein kinase activity, and transcription coactivator activity. Oxidative stress has been confirmed as a significant contributor to IDD, with excessive reactive oxygen species causing cellular oxidation and chemical stress, leading to apoptosis of functional disc cells and hastening degeneration (Lin et al, 2020). Protein kinases are critical regulators of cellular function, governing multiple intracellular signaling pathways to maintain normal physiological cell activity (Kupka et al, 2020;Du et al, 2022).…”