Dynamics and polarization of the macrophage in degenerative intervertebral discs

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10392
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Kokubo Yasuo 福井大学, 学術研究院医学系部門, 准教授 (70377456)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 内田 研造 福井大学, 医学部, 教授 (60273009)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 椎間板 / 変性 / マクロファージ / 極性変化 / キメララット / ヒト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the rat with intervertebral disc degeneration model, M1 macrophages infiltrated from 1 to 2 weeks after injury, and M2 macrophages appeared 2 weeks after injury and gradually decreased. In the disc 8 weeks after injury, only M2 macrophages existed at the portion of outer layer of degenerated annuls fibrosus. The macrophages that appeared 1 week after injury including M2 macrophages at 8 weeks were demonstrated that were of marrow origin by the GFP positive chimeric rats.
In the degenerated human intervertebral discs that were harvested by anterior decompression surgery of cervical spine, the granulation tissue with rich newly developed blood vessels contained a lot of macrophages, and also included appearance of neurotrophic factors and nerve fibers with its receptors. On the other hand, the granulation tissue with a lot of M2 macrophages include less blood vessels and nerve fibers.

Free Research Field

椎間板病理