A novel in vivo mouse intervertebral disc degeneration model induced by compressive suture.

A novel in vivo mouse intervertebral disc degeneration model induced by compressive suture.
Exp Cell Res. 2020 Nov 19;:112359
Authors: Liu Z, Zhou Q, Zheng J, Li C, Zhang W, Zhang X
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the root cause of many musculoskeletal disorders of the spine. However, the etiology of IDD is complex and still not well understood. Animal models of IDD would be useful in deciphering the underlying mechanisms. But the existing animal models have their limitations. Therefore, to establish a novel mouse model that can simulate the human IDD process in vivo, we proposed to carefully circumcise the 2 mm-wide tail skin and then compressively sutured the defect with a simple end-to-end suture to exert excessive pressure on the disc. After 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week compression, the mice were sacrificed and the intervertebral discs were harvested for tissue analysis. The radiological, morphological, and molecular modifications of intervertebral discs were measured to characterize this model. Radiologically, the water content of the intervertebral disc decreased significantly after 2-week compression. Morphologically, the nucleus pulposus showed a decrease in volume and the number of notochordal cells. The compressive suture also broke the balance between anabolic and catabolic enzymes in nucleus pulposus, which led to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix in nucleus pulposus as the content of aggrecan ...

Source: Experimental Cell Research - November 19, 2020 Category: Cytology Authors: Liu Z, Zhou Q, Zheng J, Li C, Zhang W, Zhang X Tags: Exp Cell Res Source Type: research