Research progress and development space of microRNA in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Full-understanding of the mechanism of microRNA (miRNA) in the process of intervertebral disc degeneration at the cellular and molecular levels can provides new idea for the early prevention or treatment of a series of spinal diseases to intervertebral disc degeneration. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research status of the role of miRNA in the cause and mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: A computed-based online retrieval of PubMed, Wanfang and CNKI databases was conducted with the keywords of “miRNA, intervertebral disc degeneration, extracellular matrix, apoptosis, autophagy, cartilage endplate, nucleus pulposus, fibrous ring” in English and Chinese, respectively. Finally 58 eligible articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The role of miRNA in intervertebral disc degeneration has been widely studied, and some of the specific mechanisms have been verified. Most of the studies are limited to the nucleus pulposus, and there are few reports on cartilage endplate and annulus fibrosus. With the in-depth study of miRNA, there is still much space for clinical research.