Tissue Renin‐Angiotensin System (tRAS) Induce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Activating Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Reaction

Abstract

Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) has been the major contributor to low back pain (LBP). IDD is an chronic inflammation process, with the activation of plentiful inflammation-related cytokines and ECM degradation-related enzymes. In the past few years, hypertension has been reported to correlate with LBP. In addition, the local tissue renin-angiotensin system (tRAS) has been identified in multiple tissues, including the spinal cord, skin, kidney, heart, and bone. Recently, tRAS has also been established in both bovine and human intervertebral disc tissues, especially in the degenerated disc tissue. However, the exact of tRAS and IDD remains unknown. In this present study, proteomic analysis, molecular biology analysis, and animal model were all used. Firstly, we revealed that tRAS was excessively activated in the human degenerated intervertebral disc tissue via proteomic analysis and molecular biology analysis. Then, in vitro experiment suggested that Ang II could decrease the cell viability of human NP cells and promote NP cell apoptosis, senescence, oxidative stress, and NLRP3 activation in human NP cells. In addition, Ang II could also trigger degeneration and fibrosis phenotype in human NP cells. Finally, the animal model demonstrated that the local activated ACE/Ang II axis in the NP tissue could accelerate IDD in aging spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Collectively, the degenerated intervertebral disc tissue showed excessively activated tRAS, and local activated tRAS could induce NP cell senescence, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory reaction to promote IDD. These biological effects of Ang II on human NP cells may provide novel insight into further treatment of IDD.

CGRP Regulates Nucleus Pulposus Cell Apoptosis and Inflammation via the MAPK/NF‐κB Signaling Pathways during Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

“…These two methods have been depicted in detail in our previous study [ 28 ]. The primer sequences are summarized in Table 1 .…”

“…These two methods have been explained in detail in our previous study [ 28 ]. The primary antibodies included CGRP (ab283568, 1 : 1000, Abcam, USA), CALCRL, RAMP1, type II collagen, Cleaved-caspase-3, iNOS, aggrecan, MMP3, and NF- κ B p65.…”

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Carrying circ_0050205 Attenuate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

“…Previous evidence has shown that superoxide-triggered cell death is related to ferroptosis and OS and ECM degradation are involved in the pathogenesis of IDD [ 29 – 31 ]. Here, we were interested in whether ferroptosis participated in the NPC death and ECM degradation observed in IDD.…”

Is There Any Relationship between Plasma IL-6 and TNF-α Levels and Lumbar Disc Degeneration? A Retrospective Single-Center Study

“…One possible explanation was that the average age of the high-score group was greater than that of the other group, and age was an obvious risk factor of both IDD and hypertension. And there have been several studies on the effect of hypertension on IDD [ 31 , 32 ]. For example, Sun et al [ 31 ] found that the tissue renin-angiotensin system, a potential mechanism of developing hypertension, might contribute to IDD by oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.…”

“…And there have been several studies on the effect of hypertension on IDD [ 31 , 32 ]. For example, Sun et al [ 31 ] found that the tissue renin-angiotensin system, a potential mechanism of developing hypertension, might contribute to IDD by oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.…”