Intervertebral disc-intrinsic Hedgehog signaling maintains disc cell phenotypes and prevents disc degeneration through both cell autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms.

Abstract excerpt

Intervertebral disc degeneration is closely related to abnormal phenotypic changes in disc cells. However, the mechanism by which disc cell phenotypes are maintained remains poorly understood. Here, Hedgehog-responsive cells were found to be specifically localized in the inner annulus fibrosus and cartilaginous endplate of postnatal discs, likely activated by Indian Hedgehog. Global inhibition of Hedgehog...

Topics

• Mice
• Animals
• Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
• Hedgehog Proteins
• Intervertebral Disc
• Annulus Fibrosus
• Phenotype