Interaction Between HIF-1α and Notch Signaling Pathways in Nucleus Pulposus Cells of Patients with Modic Changes

Abstract Background The HIF-1α/Notch signaling pathway has been shown to regulate proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism in the intervertebral disc (IVD). The NP is an important structure adjacent to the disc. However, the roles of HIF1α and Notch signaling pathways in NP cells of patients with different Modic changes (MCs) are unclear. The purpose of this research was to assess the expression and association of HIF-1α and components of the Notch pathway in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue of patients with various MCs. Methods Eighty-five surgical NP tissue samples were obtained from patients undergoing microdiscectomy procedures for the treatment of low back and root pain caused by prolapse of the IVD. The NP tissues were divided into four groups based on the adjacent endplate degeneration: MC I, II, III, and negative MC groups. The expression of HIF-1α and Notch-related components were measured and compared. Results The expression of HIF-1α, Notch1, and Notch2 were gradually increased in the MC I and MC II groups compared with that of the negative MC group. Meanwhile, HIF-1α and Notch-related components were rarely detected in MC III group. Conclusions The expression of HIF-1α/Notch is increased in the NP cells of patients with MC I and MC II. Application of the association between HIF-1α/Notch signaling pathway could be promising target for clinical diagnosis and treatment of disc degeneration in MC patients.