Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Intervention on the Degenerated Intervertebral Disc: From Molecular Mechanisms to Animal Models

MicroRNA (miRNA) 107 expression is downregulated but Wnt3a protein and fi-catenin are upregulated in degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD). We investigated mir-107/Wnt3a- beta-catenin signaling in vitro and in vivo following hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) intervention. Our results showed 96 miRNAs were upregulated and 66 downregulated in degenerated nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) following HBO treatment. The 30 untranslated region (UTR) of the Wnt3a mRNA contained the seed-matched-sequence for miR-107. MiR-107 was upregulated and a marked suppression of Wnt3a was observed simultaneously in degenerated NPCs following HBO intervention. Knockdown of miR-107 upregulated Wnt3a expression in hyperoxic cells. HBO downregulated the protein expression of Wnt3a, phosphorylated LRP6, and cyclin D1. There was decreased TOP flash activity following HBO intervention, whereas the FOP flash activity was not affected. HBO decreased the nuclear translocation of fi-catenin and decreased the secretion of MMP-3 and -9 in degenerated NPCs. Moreover, rabbit serum KS levels and the stained area for Wnt3a and beta-catenin in repaired cartilage tended to be lower in the HBO group. We observed that HBO inhibits Wnt3a/beta-catenin signaling-related pathways by upregulating miR-107 expression in degenerated NPCs. HBO may play a protective role against IVD degeneration and could be used as a future therapeutic treatment.

Automated summary

MiRNA-107 expression is downregulated while Wnt3a protein and β-catenin are upregulated in degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD). Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment upregulates miR-107 expression and inhibits the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, which may contribute to the protective effect of HBO against IVD degeneration.