腰椎间盘中转化生长因子β1的合成和基因表达

The gene expression and protein synthesis of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) in Human Lumbar Intervertebral Discs

目的 观察腰椎间盘中内源性转化生长因子 β1(TFG - β1)表达分布规律及其细胞来源。 方法 采用免疫组化及原位杂交技术检测 16例胎儿期、8例生长期、12例成熟退变期和 2 7例突出椎间盘中TGF - β1蛋白合成和基因表达。结果胎儿椎间盘脊索细胞和类软骨细胞出现阳性免疫染色 ,并对TGF - β1mRNA呈强表达 ,阳性率为94 .3% (15 / 16 ) ;生长期椎间盘中软骨样细胞和成纤维细胞呈阳性表达 ,阳性率为 87.5 % (7/ 8) ,与胎儿期相比差别不显著 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,表达量低于胎儿期 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;成熟退变期阳性细胞明显减少 ;破裂型椎间盘突出组织中软骨样细胞、巨噬细胞呈阳性表达 ,阳性率为 37.4 % (10 / 2 7) ,低于胎儿期阳性率 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 胎儿期、生长期和破裂型突出椎间盘组织可产生内源性TGF - β1,提示TGF - β1可能是腰椎间盘发育、生长和退变过程中重要调节因子。

Objective To observe the expression and distribution of the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and discuss its significance during the process of the development, maturation and degeneration of intervertebral discs, in order to provide the bases that can interrupt the degenerating process of the discs by regulating the expression of TGF-β1. Methods The discs were derived from 16 embryos, 8 adolescents, 12 adults and 27 herniated patients under aseptic condition. The gene expression and synthesis of TGF-β1 were tested by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridizing techniques. Results The results showed that the positive staining and hybridized signals appeared in notochord cells and chondrocytes of embryo discs, disc chondrocytes of early adults (<20 years), and some herniated disc (chondrocytes and macrophages ). The positive rate of embryo group (15/16) was higher than that of herniated group (10/27; P<0.05), and was also higher than that of adolescent group (7/8; P>0.05). The expression of TGF-β1 was decreased in the discs of adolescent and herniated group compared with that of embryo group (P<0.05). Conclusion The TGF-β1 can be synthesized in embryo, early adult and some herniated samples, predominately in the periods of embryo and early adult. This growth factor is an important modulator during the changing processes of intervertebral discs.