Development of treatment strategies for intervertebral disc degeneration by modulating mTOR signaling

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K20051
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: YURUBE Takashi 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 特定助教 (10514648)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 椎間板変性 / mTOR / オートファジー / 脊椎 / 整形外科

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to clarify effectiveness of biological therapies for intervertebral disc degeneration by modulating mTOR signaling. In our study, RNA interference technique revealed that suppression of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) had protective effects against disc cellular apoptosis, senescence, and extracellular matrix degradation. Furthermore, administration of mTORC1 inhibitors to find potential clinical applications showed similar beneficial effects on disc cells through Akt induction. Then, specific autophagy inhibition by RNA interference clearly presented anti-apoptotic and anti-senescent effects of autophagy. Based on these findings, biological modulation of mTOR signaling and autophagy is a potential therapeutic strategy for degenerative disc disease.

Free Research Field

整形外科