Increased expression of CD44 in hypertrophied ligamentum flavum and relevance of splice variants CD44v5 and CD44v6.
Summary of "Increased expression of CD44 in hypertrophied ligamentum flavum and relevance of splice variants CD44v5 and CD44v6."
BACKGROUND:
The most common spinal disorder in the elderly is lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), which results in part from ligamentum flavum (LF) hypertrophy. Although prior histologic and immunochemical studies have been performed in this area, the pathophysiology of loss of elasticity and hypertrophy is not completely understood. The purpose of this immunohistological study is to elucidate the role of CD44 and its splice variants CD44v5 and CD44v6 in the hypertrophied LF obtained from patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). MATERIALS AND
METHODS:
LF samples of 38 patients with LSS were harvested during spinal decompression. Twelve LF samples obtained from patients with disc herniation and no visible degeneration on preoperative MRI were obtained as controls. Samples were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. For immunohistochemical determination, slices were stained with antibodies against CD44, Cd44v4, and CD44v6 stained with DAB. LF hypertrophy and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured with T1-weighted MRI.
RESULTS:
CD44 and CD44v5 expression were significantly increased in the hypertrophy group (p < 0.05). CD44v6 expression was not significantly increased. The number of elastic fibers was significantly higher in the hypertrophy group. In the hypertrophy group, LF thickness was significantly increased while CSA was significantly decreased. There was a statistical correlation between LF thickness, CSA, CD44, and CD44v5 expression in the hypertrophy group (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
LF hypertrophy is accompanied by increased CD44 and CD44v5 expression. CD44v6 expression is not enhanced in LF hypertrophy.
Affiliation
Department of Orthopedics and Rheumatology, University Hospital Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35043, Marburg, Germany, lakemeie@med.uni-marburg.de.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Acta neurochirurgica
ISSN: 0942-0940
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22052472
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00701-011-1206-z
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Ligamentum Flavum
The paired bands of yellow elastic tissue that connect adjoining laminae of the vertebrae. With the laminae, it forms the posterior wall of the spinal canal and helps hold the body erect.
Antigens, Cd44
Acidic sulfated integral membrane glycoproteins expressed in several alternatively spliced and variable glycosylated forms on a wide variety of cell types including mature T-cells, B-cells, medullary thymocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes, and fibroblasts. CD44 antigens are the principle cell surface receptors for hyaluronate and this interaction mediates binding of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules. (From Abbas et al., Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 2d ed, p156)
Longitudinal Ligaments
Two extensive fibrous bands running the length of the vertebral column. The anterior longitudinal ligament (ligamentum longitudinale anterius; lacertus medius) interconnects the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies; the posterior longitudinal ligament (ligamentum longitudinale posterius) interconnects the posterior surfaces. The commonest clinical consideration is OSSIFICATION OF POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT. (From Stedman, 25th ed)
Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear
A nuclear RNA-protein complex that plays a role in RNA processing. In the nucleoplasm, the U1 snRNP along with other small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U2, U4-U6, and U5) assemble into SPLICEOSOMES that remove introns from pre-mRNA by splicing. The U1 snRNA forms base pairs with conserved sequence motifs at the 5'-splice site and recognizes both the 5'- and 3'-splice sites and may have a fundamental role in aligning the two sites for the splicing reaction.
Validation Studies As Topic
Research using processes by which the reliability and relevance of a procedure for a specific purpose are established.
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