TonEBP-deficiency accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration underscored by matrix remodeling, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and changes in proinflammatory gene expression.

TonEBP-deficiency accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration underscored by matrix remodeling, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and changes in proinflammatory gene expression. Matrix Biol. 2019 Nov 07;: Authors: Tessier S, Tran VA, Ottone OK, Novais EJ, Doolittle A, DiMuzio MJ, Shapiro IM, Risbud MV Abstract The tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) plays an important role in intervertebral disc and axial skeleton embryogenesis. However, the contribution of this osmoregulatory transcription factor in postnatal intervertebral disc homeostasis is not known in vivo. Here, we show for the first time that TonEBP-deficient mice have pronounced age-related degeneration of the intervertebral disc with annular and endplate herniations. Using FTIR-imaging spectroscopy, quantitative immunohistochemistry, and tissue-specific transcriptomic analysis, we provide morphological and molecular evidence that the overall phenotype is driven by a replacement of water-binding proteoglycans with fibrocartilaginous matrix. Whereas TonEBP deficiency in the AF compartment caused tissue fibrosis associated with alterations in actin cytoskeleton and adhesion molecules, predominant changes in pro-inflammatory pathways were seen in the NP compartment of mutants, underscoring disc compartment-specific effects. Additionally, TonEBP-deficient mice presented with compromised trabecular bone properties of vertebrae. These results provide the first in viv...
Source: Matrix Biology - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Matrix Biol Source Type: research