ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of integrin alpha5 and actin in the cells of intervertebral disc under cyclic hydrostatic pressure in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The porcine lumbar intervertebral disc cells were isolated and cultured in vitro, and the cells underwent cyclic hydrostatic loading. After that, the expression of integrin alpha5 and actin in intervertebral disc cells were studied by means of morphology observing, Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The morphology of intervertebral disc cells were changed into smaller and flatten shape, and the expression of integrin alpha5 and actin were decreased after loading.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of integrin alpha5 decreases under cyclic hydrostatic pressure, and the actin is affected at the same time when signals are transferred into the cells by integrin alpha5. That may be one of the important mechanisms of the mechanotransduction in the cells of intervertebral disc.</p>