Role of cytokines in intervertebral disc degeneration: pain and disc content

Abstract

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common condition, affecting a large percentage of the adult population, with huge socio-economic costs IVD disease is frequently associated with back, neck and radicular pain Inflammatory cytokines play a major part in the pathogenesis of IVD degeneration by promoting extracellular matrix breakdown and recruitment of immune cells to the discal tissues Infiltration and activation of immune cells in the IVD results in amplification of the inflammatory responses and the release of neurotrophins Inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophins promote the generation of pain through changes in nociceptive neuron ion channel activity, as well as apoptosis of these cells in the dorsal root ganglion An enhanced understanding of the contribution of cytokines and immune cells to IVD degeneration, inflammation and nociception could enable the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets in symptomatic IVD disease