The intervertebral disc (IVD) constitutes a critical organ within the spinal system, with the preservation of its homeostatic balance being essential for the integrity of the spinal mechanical apparatus. As age advances, the intervertebral discs are subject to a progressive degeneration influenced by a ...
The intervertebral disc (IVD) constitutes a critical organ within the spinal system, with the preservation of its homeostatic balance being essential for the integrity of the spinal mechanical apparatus. As age advances, the intervertebral discs are subject to a progressive degeneration influenced by a multitude of harmful stimuli, such as excessive axial or shear stresses, chemical stimuli, and biological factors. This degenerative process can precipitate a spectrum of spinal degenerative pathologies, including disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, and lumbar spondylolisthesis. Consequently, such conditions may manifest clinically as low back pian, sciatica, or motor impairment in affected individuals. During the dynamic process of intervertebral disc degeneration, its pathological morphology, pathophysiological mechanisms, cellular biology mechanisms, and key molecular markers all differ. Concurrently, the pathological structure and pathophysiological mechanisms of the intervertebral disc caused by stress stimuli, chemical stimuli, or biological stimuli also exhibit numerous differences. Therefore, it is imperative that we investigate the pathological and pathophysiological structural alterations of the intervertebral discs under various detrimental stimuli across different age groups, thereby providing crucial evidence for the prevention, intervention, and treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. Conversely, the intervertebral disc possesses intrinsic mechanisms to modulate its homeostatic equilibrium, thereby counteracting the processes of degeneration. Within the disc's anatomical framework, the nucleus pulposus and its constituent cells perform pivotal biological functions, including the attenuation of excessive mechanical stress, the mediation of immune recognition and response to microbial stimuli, and the neutralization or elimination of chemical irritants. Exploring of this suite of intrinsic homeostatic regulatory mechanisms, coupled with identifying pivotal protein targets, molecular biomarkers, and metabolites, can furnish essential theoretical and empirical substantiation for the innovation of novel pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and avant-garde physicochemical therapeutic modalities.
This Research Topic is focused on the regulation of intervertebral disc homeostasis under various harmful stimuli. It will also focus on exploring the pathological morphological changes, pathophysiological alterations, key molecular targets, critical metabolic products, and novel biomarkers during the dynamic process of intervertebral disc degeneration. Concurrently, the topic will investigate the molecular mechanisms of the intervertebral disc's intrinsic homeostatic regulation under various stress stimuli, providing a basis for developing biomaterials, and other innovations treatment methods.
We welcome the submission of Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, and Perspectives that allow strengthening our understanding of regulation of intervertebral disc homeostasis under microorganisms or various harmful stimuli. The following subtopics are chiefly encouraged:
•Exploration of pathological, pathophysiological, cellular mechanisms or biomarkers during the process of intervertebral disc degeneration or under different harmful stimuli.
•Identification of exact cellular receptors, key molecules or mechanisms of nucleus pulposus cells to regulate the homeostasis of intervertebral disc.
•Innovation of biomarkers, prognostic predictive models, and quantitative analysis of pathological and pathobiological processes during intervertebral disc degeneration or under various harmful stimuli.
Keywords:
Intervertebral disc, homeostasis, nucleus pulposus cell, harmful stimuli, Biomarker
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.