基质金属蛋白酶-13在退变腰椎间盘髓核组织中的表达及其意义

Expression and significance of MMP-13 in the pulpy nucleus tissue of degenerated lumbar discs

目的观察基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）-13在退变腰椎间盘髓核组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法应用原位分子杂交（ISH）和免疫组织化学检测30例（男23例，女7例）退变腰椎间盘和8例（男6例，女2例）创伤腰椎间盘髓核组织中MMP-13信使核糖核酸（mRNA）和蛋白的表达。图像平均灰度值作为测定指标，两样本t检验进行统计学分析。结果MMP-13在退变腰椎间盘髓核中表达明显增加。在退变组及创伤组中，MMP-13 mRNA表达的平均灰度值分别为101．17±10．96、153．37±15．24（t=11．01，P〈0．01）；MMP-13蛋白表达的平均灰度值分别为148．24±21．50、105．23±15．69（t=6．37，P〈0．01）。结论髓核中MMP-13的表达增强可能是腰椎间盘退变的重要因素之一。

Objective To investigate the expression of MMP-13 in nucleus pulposus of human degenerated lumbar intervertebral discs and clinical significance. Methods The mRNA and protein expression of MMP-13 in experimental group （30 fresh pulpy nucleus of patients with lumbar disc herniation, 23 males and 7 females） and control group （8 fresh pulpy nucleus of patients with traumatic lumbar vertebrae, 6 males and 2 females） was detected by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. The determination index was the average gray scale. The statistical analysis was done by two-sample t-test. Results There was a markedly increased expression of MMP-13 in the pulpy nucleus of degenerated lumbar discs. The average gray scale of MMP-13 mRNA in two groups was 101.17 ± 10.96 and 153.37 ± 15.24 respectively （ t = 11.01, P 〈 0.01 ）. The average gray scale of MMP-13 protein expres- sion in two groups was 148.24 ± 21.50 and 105.23 ± 15.69 respectively （t = 6.37 ,P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion The increased expression of MMP-13 in pulpy nucleus indicates that MMP-13 may be one of the important factors leading to intervertebral disc degeneration.