A Study Of Expression Of TWEAK, Fn14 And MMP-3 In The Pulpy Nucleus Tissue Of The Degenerated Lumbar Discs

【Objective】The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the gene and protein expression of TWEAK, Fn14 and MMP-3 in human nucleus pulpous of the degenerated lumbar discs, to analyze the related significance of them in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration, to supply the theoretical support for treating the degenerative disc disease.【Methods】The experimental group consisted of 30 cases of the fresh pulpy nucleus tissue which were obtained from patients with lumbar disc herniation by Surgical intervention. 10 cases of the fresh tissues harvested by operation for fracture of lumbar vertebrae acted as control group. The mRNA and protein expression of TWEAK, Fn14 and MMP-3 in 40 specimens were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. By quantitatively analyzing all the sections with graph analysis meter, the related significance of TWEAK, Fn14 and MMP-3 in experimental groups of specimens was explored.【Resulsts】(1) The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining showed that there were significantly stronger expression of TWEAK, Fn14 and MMP-3 in experimental group when compared with that of the control group. (P<0.01).(2) There was certain positive correlation between the mRNA and protein expression of TWEAK and Fn14 in experimental group(r=0.954,0.873,P<0.01). It was the same to TWEAK and MMP-3( r=0.948,0.917,P<0.01), Fn14 and MMP-3( r=0.965,0.839,P<0.01).【Conclusions】(l)The increasing expression of TWEAK, Fn14 and MMP-3 in degenerative lumbar discs indicates that they may be one of the important factors leading to intervertebral disc degeneration and important sign of intervertebral disc degeneration. (2)There was certain positive correlation between the expression of TWEAK, Fn14 and MMP-3.