The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changes
Abstract Disc degeneration and vertebral endplate bone marrow lesions called Modic changes are prevalent spinal pathologies found in chronic low back pain patients. Their pathomechanisms are complex and not fully understood. Recent studies have revealed that complement system proteins and interactor...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2024-03-01
|
| Series: | JOR Spine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.1312 |
| _version_ | 1827308510313971712 |
|---|---|
| author | Irina Heggli Graciosa Q. Teixeira James C. Iatridis Cornelia Neidlinger‐Wilke Stefan Dudli |
| author_facet | Irina Heggli Graciosa Q. Teixeira James C. Iatridis Cornelia Neidlinger‐Wilke Stefan Dudli |
| author_sort | Irina Heggli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Disc degeneration and vertebral endplate bone marrow lesions called Modic changes are prevalent spinal pathologies found in chronic low back pain patients. Their pathomechanisms are complex and not fully understood. Recent studies have revealed that complement system proteins and interactors are dysregulated in disc degeneration and Modic changes. The complement system is part of the innate immune system and plays a critical role in tissue homeostasis. However, its dysregulation has also been associated with various pathological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Here, we review the evidence for the involvement of the complement system in intervertebral disc degeneration and Modic changes. We found that only a handful of studies reported on complement factors in Modic changes and disc degeneration. Therefore, the level of evidence for the involvement of the complement system is currently low. Nevertheless, the complement system is tightly intertwined with processes known to occur during disc degeneration and Modic changes, such as increased cell death, autoantibody production, bacterial defense processes, neutrophil activation, and osteoclast formation, indicating a contribution of the complement system to these spinal pathologies. Based on these mechanisms, we propose a model how the complement system could contribute to the vicious cycle of tissue damage and chronic inflammation in disc degeneration and Modic changes. With this review, we aim to highlight a currently understudied but potentially important inflammatory pathomechanism of disc degeneration and Modic changes that may be a novel therapeutic target. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:08:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f2197514fabb4da59ca9fbcd1e2d86ee |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2572-1143 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T19:08:58Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JOR Spine |
| spelling | doaj.art-f2197514fabb4da59ca9fbcd1e2d86ee2024-03-26T14:08:39ZengWileyJOR Spine2572-11432024-03-0171n/an/a10.1002/jsp2.1312The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changesIrina Heggli0Graciosa Q. Teixeira1James C. Iatridis2Cornelia Neidlinger‐Wilke3Stefan Dudli4Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich Zurich SwitzerlandInstitute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Centre, Ulm University Ulm GermanyLeni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USAInstitute of Orthopedic Research and Biomechanics, Trauma Research Centre, Ulm University Ulm GermanyCenter of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich Zurich SwitzerlandAbstract Disc degeneration and vertebral endplate bone marrow lesions called Modic changes are prevalent spinal pathologies found in chronic low back pain patients. Their pathomechanisms are complex and not fully understood. Recent studies have revealed that complement system proteins and interactors are dysregulated in disc degeneration and Modic changes. The complement system is part of the innate immune system and plays a critical role in tissue homeostasis. However, its dysregulation has also been associated with various pathological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Here, we review the evidence for the involvement of the complement system in intervertebral disc degeneration and Modic changes. We found that only a handful of studies reported on complement factors in Modic changes and disc degeneration. Therefore, the level of evidence for the involvement of the complement system is currently low. Nevertheless, the complement system is tightly intertwined with processes known to occur during disc degeneration and Modic changes, such as increased cell death, autoantibody production, bacterial defense processes, neutrophil activation, and osteoclast formation, indicating a contribution of the complement system to these spinal pathologies. Based on these mechanisms, we propose a model how the complement system could contribute to the vicious cycle of tissue damage and chronic inflammation in disc degeneration and Modic changes. With this review, we aim to highlight a currently understudied but potentially important inflammatory pathomechanism of disc degeneration and Modic changes that may be a novel therapeutic target.https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.1312complement systemdisc degenerationlow back painModic changes |
| spellingShingle | Irina Heggli Graciosa Q. Teixeira James C. Iatridis Cornelia Neidlinger‐Wilke Stefan Dudli The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changes JOR Spine complement system disc degeneration low back pain Modic changes |
| title | The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changes |
| title_full | The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changes |
| title_fullStr | The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changes |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changes |
| title_short | The role of the complement system in disc degeneration and Modic changes |
| title_sort | role of the complement system in disc degeneration and modic changes |
| topic | complement system disc degeneration low back pain Modic changes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/jsp2.1312 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT irinaheggli theroleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT graciosaqteixeira theroleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT jamesciatridis theroleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT cornelianeidlingerwilke theroleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT stefandudli theroleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT irinaheggli roleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT graciosaqteixeira roleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT jamesciatridis roleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT cornelianeidlingerwilke roleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges AT stefandudli roleofthecomplementsystemindiscdegenerationandmodicchanges |