Sheng Bin1, Li Xin2, Zhou Lin2, Zhou Jinhua2, Guan Rui2, Zhang Xiang2. 1. Department of Orthopaedic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University (Hunan Provincial People's Hospital), NO.61, Jiefang West Road, Changsha city, Hunan Province 410000, China. Electronic address: shengbin_2020@163.com. 2. Department of Orthopaedic, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University (Hunan Provincial People's Hospital), NO.61, Jiefang West Road, Changsha city, Hunan Province 410000, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) causes lower back pain, and is often accompanied with robust inflammation. However, whether inflammation plays a role in IDD remains controversial, and the mechanism is ill-elucidated. METHODS: Cartilage specimens from patients with scoliosis (control) and IDD were examined for IL-6 and its receptor expression by qPCR and western blot. Primary human articular chondrocyte was employed as a model for in vitro assessment of IL-6 effects in cell viability, cellular oxidative stress and iron homeostasis by MTT, MDA, ROS and Iron Colorimetric assays. The underlying mechanism was explored by qPCR, western blot, RIP in combination with bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: We found in this study that IL-6 and its receptor were aberrantly expressed in cartilage tissues of IDD patients. IL-6 down-regulated miR-10a-5p, which subsequently derepressed IL-6R expression. IL-6 exposure caused cartilage cell ferroptosis by inducing cellular oxidative stress and disturbing iron homeostasis. Overexpressing miR-10a-5p suppressed IL-6R expression, and partially abolished IL-6-induced ferroptosis. CONCLUSION: Results from current study suggests that inflammatory cytokine IL-6 appeared in IVD aggravates its degeneration by inducing cartilage cell ferroptosis. This is caused partially by inhibiting miR-10a-5p and subsequently derepressing IL-6R signaling pathway. Our study provides a novel mechanism explaining inflammatory cytokine-caused cartilage cell death in degenerative IVD, and makes IL-6/miR-10a-5p/IL-6R axis a potential therapeutic target for intervention of IDD.
BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) causes lower back pain, and is often accompanied with robust inflammation. However, whether inflammation plays a role in IDD remains controversial, and the mechanism is ill-elucidated. METHODS: Cartilage specimens from patients with scoliosis (control) and IDD were examined for IL-6 and its receptor expression by qPCR and western blot. Primary human articular chondrocyte was employed as a model for in vitro assessment of IL-6 effects in cell viability, cellular oxidative stress and iron homeostasis by MTT, MDA, ROS and Iron Colorimetric assays. The underlying mechanism was explored by qPCR, western blot, RIP in combination with bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: We found in this study that IL-6 and its receptor were aberrantly expressed in cartilage tissues of IDDpatients. IL-6 down-regulated miR-10a-5p, which subsequently derepressed IL-6R expression. IL-6 exposure caused cartilage cell ferroptosis by inducing cellular oxidative stress and disturbing iron homeostasis. Overexpressing miR-10a-5p suppressed IL-6R expression, and partially abolished IL-6-induced ferroptosis. CONCLUSION: Results from current study suggests that inflammatory cytokine IL-6 appeared in IVD aggravates its degeneration by inducing cartilage cell ferroptosis. This is caused partially by inhibiting miR-10a-5p and subsequently derepressing IL-6R signaling pathway. Our study provides a novel mechanism explaining inflammatory cytokine-caused cartilage cell death in degenerative IVD, and makes IL-6/miR-10a-5p/IL-6R axis a potential therapeutic target for intervention of IDD.
Authors: Ma'mon M Hatmal; Mohammad A I Al-Hatamleh; Amin N Olaimat; Walhan Alshaer; Hanan Hasan; Khaled A Albakri; Enas Alkhafaji; Nada N Issa; Murad A Al-Holy; Salim M Abderrahman; Atiyeh M Abdallah; Rohimah Mohamud Journal: Biomedicines Date: 2022-05-24