Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
Volume 40, Issue 5, Pages 837-842Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2007.12.011
Keywords
intervertebral disc degeneration; proteoglycans; collagens; extracellular matrix turnover
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common invalidating disorder that can affect the musculoskeletal apparatus in both younger and older ages. The chief component of the intervertebral disc is the highly organized extracellular matrix; maintenance of its organization is essential for correct spinal mechanics. The matrix components, mainly proteoglycans and collagens, undergo a slow and continuous cell-mediated turnover process that enables disc cells to adapt their environment to external stimuli. Cellular senescence and a history of chronic abnormal loading can upset this balance, leading to progressive tissue failure that results in disc degeneration. Although biological treatment approaches to disc repair are still far to come, advances in our understanding of disc biochemistry and in defining the role of genetic inheritance have provided a starting point for developing new concepts in the diagnosis, therapy and prevention of disc degeneration. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available