Immunolocalization of major interstitial collagen types in human lumbar intervertebral discs of various ages

Abstract

We used complete transverse sections through 65 samples of human lumbar intervertebral discs for immunolocalization of the major interstitial collagen types I, II, III, V, VI and IX. The samples were selected from 47 patients ranging in age from 0 (fetuses) to 86 years. The results were compared with the histological findings in disc tissue degeneration and/or reparative alterations as indicated by tear and cleft formation, chondrocyte proliferation, mucous degeneration, granular matrix changes and fibrocartilage fibrillation. We observed a typical pattern for each antibody and each anatomical structure, with, however, remarkable inter- and intraindividual variability, which could be monitored only by use of the complete transverse sections. Accordingly, collagen I was seen in the normal annulus fibrosus and in the degeneratively altered nucleus pulposus, but not within the end-plate, regardless of degenerative changes. Collagens II and IX were found in the normal nucleus pulposus, the inner annulus fibrosus and the end-plate. The collagen II (and IX) staining seemed to be enhanced in areas of minor degenerative lesions, but reduced in advanced lesions and in the degenerated end-plate. Collagens III and VI were significantly increased in areas of minor to advanced degeneration in all anatomical settings, while collagen V showed only minor changes in its staining pattern. In general, histological signs of tissue degeneration coincided with significant quantitative, but also with certain qualitative, changes in the composition of the collagenous disc matrix. These observations indicate the association of degenerative and/or reparative alterations of the intervertebral disc and changes in the collagenous matrix, but document the variability in the extent of the abnormalities observed.

Associations of 25 structural, degradative, and inflammatory candidate genes with lumbar disc desiccation, bulging, and height narrowing

“…Our findings of an association with disc signal intensity and the COL1A1, COL3A1, and COL5A1 genes are consistent with the immunolocalization observations reported by Nerlich and collaborators (38), showing that types I, II, and V collagen molecules play a role in disc degeneration and in the degeneratively altered nucleus pulposus. Guehring and collaborators (39) have also shown a significant up-regulation of COL1A2 in compressed discs in an animal model.…”

Efficacy of intradiscal hepatocyte growth factor injection for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration

“…In samples of human lumbar intervertebral discs, type II collagen levels were demonstrated to be present at normal levels in the NP and in the inner layer of the AF; however, the A B levels were reduced in advanced degenerative discs. In addition, type I collagen levels were demonstrated to be present at normal levels in the AF and degenerative NP (2). In a rabbit annular stab-injury model, aggrecan and type IIa collagen mRNA levels were decreased and were unable to be restored to normal levels, whereas type Ia collagen mRNA levels gradually increased throughout the course of degeneration (20).…”

Comparative immunolocalisation of perlecan, heparan sulphate, fibroblast growth factor-18, and fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 and their prospective roles in chondrogenic and osteogenic development of the human foetal spine

“…Collation of biometric data from these imaging studies has enabled the tabulation of reference values for the non-invasive assessment of normal human foetal spinal growth [2]. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry has demonstrated the distribution of collagen types [5], including the alternatively spliced type IIA and IIB collagens [6], elastic microfibrillar and matrix proteins [7] and proteoglycans [8,9].…”