MicroRNA in intervertebral disc degeneration |
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| Authors: | Zheng Li Xin Yu Jianxiong Shen Matthew T.V. Chan William Ka Kei Wu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China;2. Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;3. State‐Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease and Institute of Digestive Disease, LKS Institute of Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
Aetiology of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is complex, with genetic, developmental, biochemical and biomechanical factors contributing to the disease process. It is becoming obvious that epigenetic processes influence evolution of IDD as strongly as the genetic background. Deregulated phenotypes of nucleus pulposus cells, including differentiation, migration, proliferation and apoptosis, are involved in all stages of progression of human IDD. Non‐coding RNAs, including microRNAs, have recently been recognized as important regulators of gene expression. Research into roles of microRNAs in IDD has been very active over the past 5 years. Our review summarizes current research enlightenment towards understanding roles of microRNAs in regulating nucleus pulposus cell functions in IDD. These exciting findings support the notion that specific modulation of microRNAs may represent an attractive approach for management of IDD. |
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